β-decay of 35Ca

Abstract The β-decay of the T z =− 5 2 nucleus 35 Ca was studied at the LISE3 spectrometer at GANIL. The 35 Ca decay scheme was deduced from its β-delayed proton emission into the ground and excited states of 34 Ar and from its β-delayed two-proton emission. The 35 Ca half-life was determined to be 25.7±0.2 ms. The measured transition strength function B(GT) is compared to results obtained from large-scale sd-shell model calculations.

Three beta-decaying states in 128In and 130In resolved for the first time using Penning-trap techniques

Isomeric states in 128In and 130In have been studied with the JYFLTRAP Penning trap at the IGISOL facility. By employing state-of-the-art ion manipulation techniques, three different beta-decaying states in 128In and 130In have been separated and their masses measured. JYFLTRAP was also used to select the ions of interest for identification at a post-trap decay spectroscopy station. A new beta-decaying high-spin isomer feeding the isomer in 128Sn has been discovered in 128In at 1797.6(20) keV. Shell-model calculations employing a CD-Bonn potential re-normalized with the perturbative G-matrix approach suggest this new isomer to be a 16⁺ spin-trap isomer. In 130In, the lowest-lying (10⁻) isom…

Beta Decay of 111Tc to 111Ru

The β-decay of the very neutron-rich 111Tc nucleus has been observed. A partial decay scheme of 111Ru is presented, complementing the high-spin levels earlier reported in spontaneous fission work.

Total absorption γ -ray spectroscopy of niobium isomers

15 pags. 17 figs., 5 tabs.

Model independent determination of the spin of theTa180naturally occurring isomer

The hyperfine structures of the 33715.27 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ and 33706.47 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ transitions from the ground state of singly ionized Ta have been measured by collinear laser spectroscopy. The structures were found to contain a large second order contribution. From fitting the observed hyperfine components for both $^{181}\mathrm{Ta}$ and the $^{180}\mathrm{Ta}$ naturally occurring isomer it was possible to determine the first and second order hyperfine structure coefficients. As no model independent determination of the nuclear spin of the $^{180}\mathrm{Ta}$ isomer has been performed, fitting was attempted for a range of spins. A clear chi-squared m…

Penning-trap mass measurements on 92, 94-98, 100Mo with JYFLTRAP

Penning-trap measurements on stable 92, 94-98, 100Mo isotopes have been performed with relative accuracy of \ensuremath1⋅10−8\ensuremath1⋅10−8 with the JYFLTRAP Penning-trap mass spectrometer by using 85Rb as a reference. The Mo isotopes have been found to be about 3keV more bound than given in the Atomic Mass Evaluation 2003 (AME03). The results confirm that the discrepancy between the ISOLTRAP and JYFLTRAP data for 101-105Cd isotopes was due to an erroneous value in the AME03 for 96Mo used as a reference at JYFLTRAP. The measured frequency ratios of Mo isotopes have been used to update mass-excess values of 30 neutron-deficient nuclides measured at JYFLTRAP. peerReviewed

Direct mass measurements of neutron-rich zirconium isotopes up toZr104

Atomic masses of radioactive zirconium isotopes from {sup 96}Zr to {sup 104}Zr have been measured with a relative accuracy of {<=}5x10{sup -7} using a Penning trap coupled to the ion guide isotope separator on-line system. The obtained two-neutron separation energies show strong local correlation in relation to the shape change and shape coexistence between N=58 and 60.

First on-line laser spectroscopy of radioisotopes of a refractory element

The first fully on-line isotope shift measurement of a radioactive refractory element is reported. Collinear laser-induced fluorescence measurements were made on the radioactive isotopes ${}^{170,172,173,174}\mathrm{Hf}$ produced with a flux of $2--3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{3}$ ions per second from an ion-guide fed isotope separator. The method may be applied to all elements and isomers with lifetimes as short as 1 ms. The systematics of the new charge radii measurements are well reproduced by theory, with the maximum deformation in the chain occurring significantly below the midshell.

Proton dripline studies at ISOLDE: 31Ar and 9C

In this contribution examples of the application of new technologies to disentangle the mechanism of $\beta$-delayed multiparticle emission are given. In particular the mechanism of $\beta$2p-emission from $^{31}$Ar has been resolved and proved to be sequential, a preview of $^{9}$C-decay data is discussed.

Precision mass measurements on neutron-rich rare-earth isotopes at JYFLTRAP - reduced neutron pairing and implications for the $r$-process calculations

The rare-earth peak in the $r$-process abundance pattern depends sensitively on both the astrophysical conditions and subtle changes in nuclear structure in the region. This work takes an important step elucidating the nuclear structure and reducing the uncertainties in $r$-process calculations via precise atomic mass measurements at the JYFLTRAP double Penning trap. $^{158}$Nd, $^{160}$Pm, $^{162}$Sm, and $^{164-166}$Gd have been measured for the first time and the precisions for $^{156}$Nd, $^{158}$Pm, $^{162,163}$Eu, $^{163}$Gd, and $^{164}$Tb have been improved considerably. Nuclear structure has been probed via two-neutron separation energies $S_{2n}$ and neutron pairing energy metrics…

First determination of β-delayed multiple neutron emission beyond A = 100 through direct neutron measurement : The P2n value of 136Sb

Background: β-delayed multiple neutron emission has been observed for some nuclei with A≤100, being the Rb100 the heaviest β2n emitter measured to date. So far, only 25P2n values have been determined for the ≈300 nuclei that may decay in this way. Accordingly, it is of interest to measure P2n values for the other possible multiple neutron emitters throughout the chart of the nuclides. It is of particular interest to make such a measurement for nuclei with A>100 to test the predictions of theoretical models and simulation tools for the decays of heavy nuclei in the region of very neutron-rich nuclei. In addition, the decay properties of these nuclei are fundamental for the understanding of a…

Experimental study of 100Tc β decay with total absorption γ -ray spectroscopy

The β decay of 100Tc has been studied by using the total absorption γ -ray spectroscopy technique at the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line facility in Jyväskylä. In this work the new Decay Total Absorption γ -ray Spectrometer in coincidence with a cylindrical plastic β detector has been employed. The β intensity to the ground state obtained from the analysis is in good agreement with previous high-resolution measurements. However, differences in the feeding to the first-excited state as well as weak feeding to a new level at high excitation energy have been deduced from this experiment. Theoretical calculations performed in the quasiparticle random-phase approximation framework are also r…

First decay scheme of 113Tc and identification of 113Ru m

Very neutron–rich fission products of the mass chain A=113 obtained from the IGISOL on–line mass separator have been investigated by γγ coincidence techniques and γ-spectra multiscaling. Gamma–rays following β–decay of 113Tc have been observed for the first time and a new 0.5 s isomeric state has been found in 113Ru.

Proton-Rich Light Nuclei

A basic question for a given element of how few or how many neutrons can be contained in its nucleus and still result in a “bound” system, and the resulting consequences on our present concept of nuclear structure, have been the focus of much recent research on highly unstable nuclei. It is only during the last several years that the limit of nuclear stability has been reached in a few areas of the nuclear chart. Except among the lightest elements, knowledge of the limit on the neutron-excess side is still beyond our experimental capability. For the heavier elements, the gap between the most neutron-rich isotope known and the isotope which is predicted to define the neutron drip-line more o…

Implantation-decay station for low-energy proton measurements

Abstract We have built an implantation-decay station for β - delayed proton and α decay studies at the focal plane of the Momentum Achromat Recoil Spectrometer (MARS) at the Cyclotron Institute of Texas A&M University. Energetic secondary beams with a small momentum spread are stopped in a controlled manner into a very thin silicon strip detector. In addition, high-purity germanium detectors are installed for γ ray detection. Here we give a description of the setup and the observed performance down to E p ≈ 200 keV using implanted 23 Al and 31 Cl sources.

Precise Determination of the UnperturbedB8Neutrino Spectrum

A measurement of the final state distribution of the B-8 beta decay, obtained by implanting a 8B beam in a double-sided silicon strip detector, is reported here. The present spectrum is consistent with a recent independent precise measurement performed by our collaboration at the IGISOL facility, Jyvaskyla [O. S. Kirsebom et al., Phys. Rev. C 83, 065802 ( 2011)]. It shows discrepancies with previously measured spectra, leading to differences in the derived neutrino spectrum. Thanks to a low detection threshold, the neutrino spectrum is for the first time directly extracted from the measured final state distribution, thus avoiding the uncertainties related to the extrapolation of R-matrix fi…

Production of refractory elements close to the Z=N line using the ion-guide technique

Production of neutron-deficient isotopes of refractory elements in the A = 80-88 region was studied using the IGISOL technique and the 165 MeV Si-32 + Ni-nat reaction. Radioactive isotopes of Y through Mo could be produced up to the M-T = + 1 line. New information on the decay of the A = 82 and 85 nuclei, including a more detailed decay scheme and more accurate half-life for Y-82, was obtained. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Total absorption studies of high priority decays for reactor applications: 86Br and 91Rb

Preliminary results from beta decay studies of nuclei that are important for reactor applications are presented. The beta decays have been studied using the total absorption technique (TAS) and the pure beams provided by the JYFLTRAP system at the IGISOL facility of the University of Jyväskylä. peerReviewed

First observation of β decay ofNb108toMo108

The \ensuremath{\beta}-delayed \ensuremath{\gamma} decay of $^{108}\mathrm{Nb}$ has been studied using the on-line mass-separator technique. The measured \ensuremath{\beta}-decay half-life 0.20\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 s agrees with the previous measurement based on \ensuremath{\beta}-delayed neutron detection. The lifetime of the first ${2}^{+}$ state in $^{108}\mathrm{Mo}$ was measured to be 0.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 ns, which is consistent with a deformation \ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\approxeq}0.4. Spin and parity of ${2}^{+}$ are suggested for the ground state of $^{108}\mathrm{Nb}$. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.

Precision Mass Measurements on Neutron-Rich Rare-Earth Isotopes at JYFLTRAP : Reduced Neutron Pairing and Implications for r-Process Calculations

The rare-earth peak in the r-process abundance pattern depends sensitively on both the astrophysical conditions and subtle changes in nuclear structure in the region. This work takes an important step towards elucidating the nuclear structure and reducing the uncertainties in r-process calculations via precise atomic mass measurements at the JYFLTRAP double Penning trap. Nd158, Pm160, Sm162, and Gd164-166 have been measured for the first time, and the precisions for Nd156, Pm158, Eu162,163, Gd163, and Tb164 have been improved considerably. Nuclear structure has been probed via two-neutron separation energies S2n and neutron pairing energy metrics Dn. The data do not support the existence of…

High-precision mass measurement ofS31with the double Penning trap JYFLTRAP improves the mass value forCl32

Study of the β decay of fission products with the DTAS detector

Total Absorption Spectroscopy measurements of the β decay of 103Mo and 103Tc, important contributors to the decay heat summation calculation in reactors, are reported in this work. The analysis of the experiment, performed at IGISOL with the new DTAS detector, show new β intensity that was not detected in previous measurements with Ge detectors. peerReviewed

Production of neutron deficient rare isotope beams at IGISOL; on-line and off-line studies

This article reports on recent on-line yield measurements employing the light-ion and heavy-ion reaction-based ion guide systems and new results on a-recoil ion transport properties in ion guides with and without electric fields. In addition, the presently used ion guide designs for fusion evaporation reactions are introduced. The present study investigated different schemes for ion extraction from the gas cell. The addition of an extra ring electrode between the traditional skimmer electrode and the exit hole led to transmission independent of the primary beam intensity as opposed to strong intensity dependence observed earlier with the plain skimmer only. Furthermore, the mass resolving p…

Transport of recoil atoms in a stream of liquid-air-cooled pure helium

Abstract Pure commercial helium cooled down to the temperature of liquid air (80 K) has been used for rapid transportation of recoil atoms over distances as long as 10 m. Transport efficiencies of several tens of per cent have been obtained for recoil atoms resulting from alpha decay or from decay by fission. The angle of divergence of the beam of recoil atoms at the exit of the transport capillary is measured to be (11±2)° for particles of mass number A = 211. Experimental results are discussed in terms of thermal diffusion. The elimination of carrier vapors will probably simplify the use of the helium-jet technique in on-line mass separators.

Total absorption study of the \beta decay of 102,104,105Tc

The β-feeding probabilities for three important contributors to the decay heat in nuclear reactors, namely 102,104,105Tc, have been measured using the total absorption spectroscopy technique. For the measurements, sources of very high isobaric purity have been obtained using a Penning trap (JYFLTRAP). A detailed description of the data analysis is given and the results are compared with high-resolution measurements and theoretical calculations. peerReviewed

Experimental studies at JYFLTRAP

JYFLTRAP is a Penning trap system at the accelerator laboratory in Jyvaskyla, Finland that enables high-precision experiments with stored, exotic species that are produced at the IGISOL facility. On one hand, these can be performed within the trap itself, like e.g. mass spectrometry. On the other hand, the trap can be used to provide the highly purified species for further experiments, e.g. for trap-assisted nuclear decay spectroscopy. This contribution focuses on these two possible applications with the presentation of some recent results on superallowed beta decays.

A GEM-TPC in twin configuration for the Super-FRS tracking of heavy ions at FAIR

The GEM-TPC [1] described herein will be part of the standard beam-diagnostics equipment of the Super-FRS [2] . This chamber will provide tracking information for particle identification at rates up to 1 MHz on an event-by-event basis. The key requirements of operation for these chambers are: close to 100% tracking efficiency under conditions of high counting rate, spatial resolution below 1 mm and a superb large dynamic range covering projectiles from Z=1 up to Z=92. The current prototype consists of two GEM-TPCs inside a single vessel, which are operating independently and have electrical drift fields in opposite directions. The twin configuration is done by flipping one of the GEM-TPCs o…

Twin GEM-TPC prototype (HGB4) beam test at GSI and Jyväskylä : a development for the Super-FRS at FAIR

The FAIR[1] facility is an international accelerator centre for research with ion and antiproton beams. It is being built at Darmstadt, Germany as an extension to the current GSI research institute. One major part of the facility will be the Super-FRS[2] separator, which will be include in phase one of the project construction. The NUSTAR experiments will benefit from the Super-FRS, which will deliver an unprecedented range of radioactive ion beams (RIB). These experiments will use beams of different energies and characteristics in three different branches; the high-energy which utilizes the RIB at relativistic energies 300-1500 MeV/u as created in the production process, the low-energy bra…

Signatures of oblate deformation in the ^{111}Tc nucleus

Monoisotopic samples of exotic, neutron-rich ${}^{111}$Mo nuclei, produced in the deuteron-induced fission of ${}^{238}$U and separated using the IGISOL3 isotope separator, coupled to the JYFLTRAP Penning trap, were used to perform $\ensuremath{\beta}$- and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-coincidence spectroscopy of ${}^{111}$Tc. New excited levels in ${}^{111}$Tc populated in ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ decay of ${}^{111}$Mo provide the first indication for an oblate deformation in the mass $A\ensuremath{\approx}110$ region. The wide spin range of levels populated in ${}^{111}$Tc following the decay of ${}^{111}$Mo indicates the existence of two $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decaying levels in ${…

Spectroscopy at the drip line: the case of 31Ar

The beta decay of exotic nuclei is directly connected to many different and highly relevant issues. While along the years a hundred of nuclei have been identified as beta delayed proton (β-p) emitters only eight have been found to be β-2p emitters and the β-3p decay mode although energetically allowed has so far not been observed [1].

Intruder states in even-even neutron-rich Pd isotopes

The decays of 112Rh g and 112Rh m obtained as on-line mass separated fission products have been investigated by standard β and γ spectroscopic techniques and γ-γ angular correlations. Low-lying 0+ and 2+ states are identified in the daughter nucleus 112Pd. Systematics suggests the existence of an intruder band which is the lowest in 110Pd, i.e. two neutrons before the midshell.

Ion-Trap Spectrometry for Exotic Nuclei

Abstract Recent progress in manipulation of radioisotopes and their applications in precision measurements on exotic nuclei are reviewed.

Precision experiments on exotic nuclei at IGISOL

Abstract Cooling and trapping techniques of low-energy radioactive ion beams of refractory elements employed at the IGISOL facility are presented with emphasis on high-precision measurements of the ground state properties of exotic nuclei. The impact of the new generation Paul and Penning traps on mass measurements of short-lived nuclei is discussed with examples on precision measurements of masses of super-allowed beta emitters and neutron-rich nuclei. As a new concept the trap-assisted spectroscopy of radioactive ions is presented with applications in collinear laser spectroscopy, decay spectroscopy of isobarically purified sources and in nuclear cross-section measurements by ion counting.

Beta decay of $^{56}$Cu

AbstractThe proton-rich isotope 56 Cu was produced at the GSI On-Line Mass Separator by means ofthe 28 Si( 32 S, p3n) fusion–evaporation reaction. Its β -decay properties were studied by detecting β -delayed γ rays and protons. A half-life of 93± 3 ms was determined for 56 Cu. Compared to theprevious work, six new γ rays and three new levels were assigned to the daughter nucleus 56 Ni. Themeasured Gamow–Teller strength values for five 56 Ni levels are compared toshell-model predictions.  2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PACS: 21.10.-k; 23.40.-s; 21.60.Cs; 27.40.+zKeywords: R ADIOACTIVITY 56 Cu ( β + ) [from 28 Si( 32 S, p3n)]; Measured E γ , I ; Deduced β -intensity and β -st…

Production of zero energy radioactive beams through extraction across superfluid helium surface

A radioactive Ra-223 source was immersed in superfluid helium at 1.2-1.7 K. Electric fields transported recoiled Rn-219 ions in the form of snowballs to the surface and further extracted them across the surface. The ions were focussed onto an aluminium foil and alpha particle spectra were taken with a surface barrier spectrometer. This enabled us to determine the efficiency for each process unambiguously. The pulsed second sound wave proved effective in enhancing the extraction of positive ions from the surface. Thus we offer a novel method for study of impurities in superfluid helium and propose this method for production of zero energy nuclear beams for use at radioactive ion beam facilit…

Mass ofAl23for testing the isobaric multiplet mass equation

The mass excess of the proton-rich nucleus $^{23}\mathrm{Al}$ has been measured with the JYFLTRAP Penning trap setup. As a result of our experiment we obtain a mass excess of 6748.07(34) keV, and by combining the value to existing experimental data we have tested the validity of the isobaric multiplet mass equation $(\mathrm{IMME})$ for the $T=3/2$ quartet in the $A=23$ isobar. The fit to the IMME results in a vanishing cubic term equivalent to zero with high precision [$0.22(42)$ keV].

Smallest KnownQValue of Any Nuclear Decay: The Rareβ−Decay ofIn115(9/2+)→Sn115(3/2+)

The ground-state-to-ground-state Q_{beta;{-}} value of ;{115}In was determined to 497.68(17) keV using a high-precision Penning trap facility at the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland. From this, a Q_{beta;{-}} value of 0.35(17) keV was obtained for the rare beta;{-} decay to the first excited state of ;{115}Sn at 497.334(22) keV. The partial half-life was determined to 4.1(6) x 10;{20} yr using ultra low-background gamma-ray spectrometry in an underground laboratory. Theoretical modeling of this 2nd-forbidden unique beta;{-} transition was also undertaken and resulted in Q_{beta;{-}} = 57_{-12};{+19} eV using the measured half-life. The discrepancy between theory and experiment could be attr…

Discovery of an Exceptionally Strong β -Decay Transition of F20 and Implications for the Fate of Intermediate-Mass Stars

A significant fraction of stars between 7 and 11 solar masses are thought to become supernovae, but the explosion mechanism is unclear. The answer depends critically on the rate of electron capture on ^{20}Ne in the degenerate oxygen-neon stellar core. However, because of the unknown strength of the transition between the ground states of ^{20}Ne and ^{20}F, it has not previously been possible to fully constrain the rate. By measuring the transition, we establish that its strength is exceptionally large and that it enhances the capture rate by several orders of magnitude. This has a decisive impact on the evolution of the core, increasing the likelihood that the star is (partially) disrupte…

Towards commissioning the new IGISOL-4 facility

Abstract The Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line facility at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyvaskyla is currently being re-commissioned as IGISOL-4 in a new experimental hall. Access to intense beams of protons and deuterons from a new MCC30/15 cyclotron, with continued possibility to deliver heavy-ion beams from the K = 130 MeV cyclotron, offers extensive opportunities for long periods of fundamental experimental research, developments and applications. A new layout of beam lines with a considerable increase in floor space offers new modes of operation at the facility, as well as a possibility to incorporate more complex detector setups. We present a general overview of I…

Electron capture on116In and implications for nuclear structure related to double-βdecay

The electron capture decay branch of ${}^{116}$In has been measured to be $[2.46\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.44(\mathrm{stat}.)\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.39(\mathrm{syst}.)]\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ using Penning trap-assisted decay spectroscopy. The corresponding Gamow-Teller transition strength is shown to be compatible with the most recent value extracted from the $(p,n)$ charge-exchange reaction, providing a resolution to longstanding discrepancies. This transition can now be used as a reliable benchmark for nuclear-structure calculations of the matrix element for the neutrinoless double-$\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay of ${}^{116}$Cd and other nuclides.

J/ψElliptic Flow in Pb-Pb Collisions atsNN=2.76  TeV

We report on the first measurement of inclusive J/psi elliptic flow v(2) in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC. The measurement is performed with the ALICE detector in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV in the rapidity range 2.5 < y < 4.0. The dependence of the J/psi v(2) on the collision centrality and on the J/psi transverse momentum is studied in the range 0 <= p(T) < 10 GeV/c. For semicentral Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV, an indication of nonzero v(2) is observed with a largest measured value of v(2) = 0.116 +/-0.046(stat) +/- 0.029(syst) for J/psi in the transverse momentum range 2 <= p(T) < 4 GeV/c. The elliptic flow measurement complements the previously reported ALI…

Ion traps in nuclear physics—Recent results and achievements

Abstract Ion traps offer a way to determine nuclear binding energies through atomic mass measurements with a high accuracy and they are routinely used to provide isotopically or even isomerically pure beams of short-living ions for post-trap decay spectroscopy experiments. In this review, different ion-trapping techniques and progresses in recent nuclear physics experiments employing low-energy ion traps are discussed. The main focus in this review is on the benefit of recent high accuracy mass measurements to solve some key problems in physics related to nuclear structure, nuclear astrophysics as well as neutrinos. Also, several cases of decay spectroscopy experiments utilizing trap-purifi…

Collective structure of the neutron-rich nuclei, 110Ru and 112Ru

Abstract The collective structure of 110 Ru and 112 Ru has been studied at the IGISOL facility through the beta decay of 110 Tc and 112 Tc. Neutron-rich technetium isotopes were produced by the 238 U(p, f) reaction at 20 MeV bombarding energy. The new isotope 112 Tc was found to decay with a half-life of 280(30) ms. The observed energies of the 2 + and 4 + ground state band levels in 108,110,112 Ru are almost the same. However, a steady energy decrease of the proposed gamma band head is observed with increasing neutron number, suggesting importance of triaxiality in these nuclei. In fact, only in 192 Os the second 2 + state has been observed at lower excitation than in 112 Ru. The static de…

Accuracy of 210Pb dating in two annually laminated lake sediments with high Cs background

Abstract A low-background gamma ray spectroscopy system has been used for nondestructive determination of 210Pb, 226Ra, 134Cs and 137Cs in lake sediment samples. Two Finnish sediment cores with high 137Cs activity originating from the Chernobyl accident have been analysed and dated using 210Pb. The accuracy of the 210Pb dating method was checked by varve counting of replicate samples. In one lake the 210Pb method gave similar dating results as varves, but in the other lake significant differences were detected. It was found that a high Cs concentration significantly impairs the accuracy of the 210Pb activity measurement. However, tha reliability of the dating result depends mostly on the co…

Precision mass measurements of neutron-rich Tc, Ru, Rh, and Pd isotopes

The masses of neutron-rich $^{106\ensuremath{-}112}\mathrm{Tc}$, $^{106\ensuremath{-}115}\mathrm{Ru}$, $^{108\ensuremath{-}118}\mathrm{Rh}$, and $^{112\ensuremath{-}120}\mathrm{Pd}$ produced in proton-induced fission of uranium were determined using the JYFLTRAP double Penning trap setup. The measured isotopic chains include a number of previously unmeasured nuclei. Typical precisions on the order of 10 keV or better were achieved, representing a factor of 10 improvement over earlier data. In many cases, significant deviations from the earlier measurements were found. The obtained data set of 39 masses is compared with different mass predictions and analyzed for global trends in the nuclear…

Developments for neutron-induced fission at IGISOL-4

At the IGISOL-4 facility, neutron-rich, medium mass nuclei have usually been produced via charged particle-induced fission of natural uranium and thorium. Neutron-induced fission is expected to have a higher production cross section of the most neutron-rich species. Development of a neutron source along with a new ion guide continues to be one of the major goals since the commissioning of IGISOL-4. Neutron intensities at di↵erent angles from a beryllium neutron source have been measured in an on-line experiment with a 30 MeV proton beam. Recently, the new ion guide coupled to the neutron source has been tested as well. Details of the neutron source and ion guide design together with prelimi…

Development of a laser ion source at IGISOL

FURIOS, the Fast Universal laser IOn Source, is under development at the IGISOL (Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line) mass separator facility in Jyvaskyla, Finland. This new laser ion source will combine a state-of-the-art solid state laser system together with a dye laser system, for the selective and efficient production of exotic radioactive species without compromising the universality and fast release inherent in the IGISOL system. The motivation for, and development of, this ion source is discussed in relation to the programme of research ongoing at this mass separator facility.

Isotope shifts in natural cerium

High resolution crossed beam resonance fluorescence laser spectroscopy has been performed on an atomic beam of naturally occurring cerium, and isotope shifts have been measured in several transitions. Changes in mean square charge radius, δ〈r 2〉, have been extracted using the King plot technique and show the characteristic increase at the N = 82 neutron shell closure. The measurements form the basis for further investigations of radioactive isotopes and isomers on both sides of the shell closure.

Cryogenic helium as stopping medium for high-energy ions

We have investigated the survival and transport efficiency of Ra-219 ions emitted by a Ra-223 source in high-density cryogenic helium gas, with ionisation of the gas induced by a proton beam. The combined efficiency of ion survival and transport by an applied electric field was measured as a function of ionisation rate density for electric fields up to 160 V/cm and for three temperature and density combinations: 77 K, 0.18 mg/cm(3), 10 K, 0.18 mg/cm(3) and 10 K, 0.54 mg/cm(3). At low beam intensity or high electric field, an efficiency of 30%, is obtained, confirming earlier results. A sharp drop in efficiency is observed at a "threshold" ionisation rate density which increases with the squ…

Gas-silicon detector telescope for charged particle spectroscopy

Abstract A gas-silicon detector telescope for charged particle spectroscopy has been constructed and tested. The lower detection limits were determined to be 155 keV for protons, 180 keV for deuterons and 350 keV for alpha particles. Typical energy resolution of the telescope measured for beta-delayed protons is 20 keV. Time resolution for the signals of the telescope was measured to be less than 10 ns. Examples of using the detector telescope in detection of beta-delayed proton activities are presented.

Large Impact of the Decay of Niobium Isomers on the Reactor ¯νe Summation Calculations

Even mass neutron-rich niobium isotopes are among the principal contributors to the reactor antineutrino energy spectrum. They are also among the most challenging to measure due to the refractory nature of niobium, and because they exhibit isomeric states lying very close in energy. The β-intensity distributions of 100gs;100mNb and 102gs;102mNb β decays have been determined using the total absorption γ-ray spectroscopy technique. The measurements were performed at the upgraded Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line facility at the University of Jyväskylä. Here, the double Penning trap system JYFLTRAP was employed to disentangle the β decay of the isomeric states. The new data obtained in this …

On-line laser spectroscopy of refractory radioisotopes at the JYFL IGISOL facility

A major objective of the laser-IGISOL program has been realized with the first ever on-line observation of collinear laser induced fluorescence from an ion of a refractory element. The measurements demonstrate that the IGISOL can be operated in a mode that produces ion beams of good emittance with reasonable extraction efficiency. The technique has been used to study the neutron-deficient Hf isotopes.

Retention of Pb isotopes in glass surfaces for retrospective assessment of radon exposure

Abstract In recent years there has been increasing interest in radio-epidemiological techniques to retrospectively measure the radon dose exposure by determining the activity of 210Pb, the longest-lived 222Rn progeny, in glass surface layers. In this study the diffusion of 39 keV 209Pb+ ions implanted into glass using the IGISOL facility has been studied under conditions that mimic the recoil implantation of 210Pb from 222Rn. The resulting depth distributions of 209Pb were then measured after heat treatment in vacuum at different temperatures by a sputter erosion technique. The diffusion coefficient could be described by an Arrhenius equation D = D0exp(−H/kT) where D 0 = 0.30 - 0.24 + 1.14 …

A new isomer in 125La

Levels in 125La have been studied via β+/EC decay of on-line mass-separated 125Ce using the HIGISOL technique. A new (390 ± 40) ms isomer is definitely attributed to 125La by conversion electron measurements of the 107 keV E3 isomeric transition.

Total absorption γ -ray spectroscopy of the β -delayed neutron emitters I137 and Rb95

The decays of the β-delayed neutron emitters I137 and Rb95 have been studied with the total absorption γ-ray spectroscopy technique. The purity of the beams provided by the JYFLTRAP Penning trap at the ion guide isotope separator on-line facility in Jyvaskyla allowed us to carry out a campaign of isotopically pure measurements with the decay total absorption γ-ray spectrometer, a segmented detector composed of 18 NaI(Tl) modules. The contamination coming from the interaction of neutrons with the spectrometer has been carefully studied, and we have tested the use of time differences between prompt γ rays and delayed neutron interactions to eliminate this source of contamination. Due to the s…

Discovery of New Fission Product Activities in the A=110–118 Mass Region

Neutron rich nuclei around the mass A=100 have recently attracted both theoretical and experimental interest since they are expected to form a new region of strong deformation. In contrary, very little experimental information is available in the adjacent transitional region A= 110–118. Due to expected isomerism in this region both low and high spin states can be studied via beta decay in many nuclei. The studies of these nuclides have many experimental difficulties. They are only weakly produced in thermal neutron induced fission and because all the elements in this mass region (Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd) have very high melting points they have not been available as beams of on-line isotope separator…

Measurement of the heaviest Beta-delayed 2-neutron emitter: 136Sb

The Beta-delayed neutron emission probability, Pn , of very exotic nuclei is crucial for the understanding of nuclear structure properties of many isotopes and astrophysical processes such as the rapid neutron capture process (r-process). In addition Beta-delayed neutrons are important in a nuclear power reactor operated in a prompt sub-critical, delayed critical condition, as they contribute to the decay heat inducing fission reactions after a shut down. The study of neutron-rich isotopes and the measurement of Beta-delayed one-neutron emitters (Beta1n) is possible thanks to the Rare Isotope Beam (RIB) facilities, where radioactive beams allow the production of exotic nuclei of interest, w…

Physics at a future Neutrino Factory and super-beam facility

The conclusions of the Physics Working Group of the international scoping study of a future Neutrino Factory and super-beam facility (the ISS) are presented. The ISS was carried by the international community between NuFact05, (the 7th International Workshop on Neutrino Factories and Superbeams, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Rome, June 21-26, 2005) and NuFact06 (Ivine, California, 24{30 August 2006). The physics case for an extensive experimental programme to understand the properties of the neutrino is presented and the role of high-precision measurements of neutrino oscillations within this programme is discussed in detail. The performance of second generation super-beam experiments, …

Beam cooler for low-energy radioactive ions

Abstract An ion beam cooler for mass-separated radioactive ion beams has been developed and tested at the IGISOL-type mass separator facility. Technical description and characteristic properties are presented. An energy spread below 1 eV and transmission efficiency of 60% were measured.

Theoretical and experimental studies of the neutron rich fission product yields at intermediate energies

A new method to measure the fission product independent yields employing the ion guide technique and a Penning trap as a precision mass filter, which allows an unambiguous identification of the nuclides is presented. The method was used to determine the independent yields in the proton-induced fission of 232 Th and 238 U at 25 MeV. The data were analyzed with the consistent model for description of the fission product formation cross section at the projectile energies up to 100 MeV. Pre-compound nucleon emission is described with the two-component exciton model using Monte Carlo method. Decay of excited compound nuclei is treated within time-dependent statistical model with inclusion of the…

On the resonant neutrinoless double-electron-capture decay of ^{136}Ce

Abstract The double-electron-capture Q value for the 136Ce decay to 136Ba has been determined at JYFLTRAP. The measured value 2378.53(27) keV excludes the energy degeneracy with the 0 + excited state of the decay daughter 136Ba at 2315.32(7) keV in a resonant 0 ν ECEC decay by 11.67 keV. The new Q value differs from the old adopted value 2419(13) keV (Atomic Mass Evaluation 2003) by 40 keV and is 50 times more precise. Our calculations show that the precise Q value renders the resonant 0 ν ECEC decay of 136Ce undetectable by the future underground detectors. We measured also the double-β decay Q value of 136Xe to be 2457.86(48) keV which agrees well with the value 2457.83(37) keV measured a…

Characterization of a cylindrical plastic β-detector with Monte Carlo simulations of optical photons

In this work we report on the Monte Carlo study performed to understand and reproduce experimental measurements of a new plastic β-detector with cylindrical geometry. Since energy deposition simulations differ from the experimental measurements for such a geometry, we show how the simulation of production and transport of optical photons does allow one to obtain the shapes of the experimental spectra. Moreover, taking into account the computational effort associated with this kind of simulation, we develop a method to convert the simulations of energy deposited into light collected, depending only on the interaction point in the detector. This method represents a useful solution when extens…

Determination of β -decay ground state feeding of nuclei of importance for reactor applications

12 pags., 6 figs., 3 tabs.

β-delayed neutron decay of 104Y, 112Tc, 113Tc and 114Tc: test of half-life predictions for neutron-rich isotopes of refractory elements

Abstract Beta-decay gross properties of neutron-rich isotopes 104Y and 112,113,114Tc produced in 25 MeV proton-induced fission of 238U have been measured. Decays of 104Y with a half-life of 180±60 ms and of 114Tc with a half-life of 150±30 ms are reported for the first time. Beta-delayed neutron emission probabilities of 112,113,114Tc are determined as (1.5±0.2)%, (2.1±0.3)% and (1.3±0.4)%, respectively. Comparison of the observed Pn values with a recent theoretical calculation based on deformed quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA) shows good overall agreement for Tc isotopes. However, comparison of beta-decay half-lives of neutron-rich isotopes of Y to Rh with the QRPA model and…

Pseudorapidity Density of Charged Particles inp+PbCollisions atsNN=5.02  TeV

The charged-particle pseudorapidity density measured over four units of pseudorapidity in nonsingle-diffractive p + Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair root s(NN) = 5.02 TeV is presented. The average value at midrapidity is measured to be 16.81 +/- 0.71 (syst), which corresponds to 2.14 +/- 0.17 (syst) per participating nucleon, calculated with the Glauber model. This is 16% lower than in nonsingle-diffractive pp collisions interpolated to the same collision energy and 84% higher than in d + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 0.2 TeV. The measured pseudorapidity density in p + Pb collisions is compared to model predictions and provides new constraints on the description of …

Intruder features in the island of inversion: The case of33Mg

The Na-33 beta decay was studied online using mass separation techniques and a first description of the level structure of the neutron-rich isotope Mg-33, with N=21, has been obtained. The experiment involved the measurement of beta-gamma, beta-gamma-gamma, and beta -n-gamma coincidences as well as neutron spectra by time-of-flight technique. The first low energy level scheme for the daughter nucleus Mg-33 is given with five bound states. Spin and parity assignments are proposed according to beta feedings and gamma -ray multipolarities, beta -strength distribution is evaluated, taking into account 1n- and 2n-emission channels and it is compared with the calculated GT strength distribution. …

Production of neutron rich isotopes in fission. A study for RNB facilities

Abstract The theoretical model for calculations of the fission product yields in the light-particle induced fission is discussed. A comparison of the production cross sections in fission of 238 U by protons, thermal and fast neutrons, and photons is presented. The results of studies of the very asymmetric fission of 238 U by protons and neutron at the moderate energy are reported.

Independent Isotopic Product Yields in 25 MeV and 50 MeV Charged Particle Induced Fission of 238U and 232Th

Abstract Independent isotopic yields for most elements from Zn to La in 25-MeV proton-induced fission of 238U and 232Th have been determined at the IGISOL facility in the University of Jyvaskyla. In addition, isotopic yields for Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Zr, Pd and Xe in 50-MeV proton-induced fission of 238U and for Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Cd and In in 25-MeV deuterium-induced fission of 238U have been measured. The utilised technique recently developed at the University of Jyvaskyla, is based on a combination of the ion guide technique and the ability of a Penning trap to unambiguously identify the isotopes by their atomic mass. Since the yields are determined by ion counting, no prior knowledge beyond the …

Mass measurements in the vicinity of the doubly magic waiting pointNi56

Masses of $^{56,57}\mathrm{Fe}$, $^{53}\mathrm{Co}$${}^{m}$, $^{53,56}\mathrm{Co}$, $^{55,56,57}\mathrm{Ni}$, $^{57,58}\mathrm{Cu}$, and $^{59,60}\mathrm{Zn}$ have been determined with the JYFLTRAP Penning trap mass spectrometer at the Ion-Guide Isotope Separator On-Line facility with a precision of $\ensuremath{\delta}m/m\ensuremath{\leqslant}3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$. The ${Q}_{\mathrm{EC}}$ values for $^{53}\mathrm{Co}$, $^{55}\mathrm{Ni}$, $^{56}\mathrm{Ni}$, $^{57}\mathrm{Cu}$, $^{58}\mathrm{Cu}$, and $^{59}\mathrm{Zn}$ have been measured directly with a typical precision of better than $0.7 \mathrm{keV}$ and Coulomb displacement energies have been dete…

Neutron and fragment yields in proton-induced fission of 238U at intermediate energies

The primary fission fragment mass and kinetic energy distributions, and neutron multiplicities as function of fragment mass have been measured in the proton-induced fission of 238 U at energies Ep ¼ 20, 35, 50 and 60 MeV using time-of-flight technique. Pre-scission and post-scission neutron multiplicities have been extracted from double differential distributions. The fragment mass dependence of the post-scission neutron multiplicities reveals the gross nuclear shell structure effect even at the higher proton energies we measured. The yields ofneutron-rich fission products in the fission of 238 U by 25 MeV protons were measured using an ion guide-based isotope separator technique. The resul…

Total absorption γ-ray spectroscopy of the β-delayed neutron emitters 87Br, 88Br, and 94Rb

We investigate the decay of 87,88Br and 94Rb using total absorption γ -ray spectroscopy. These important fission products are β-delayed neutron emitters. Our data show considerable βγ intensity, so far unobserved in high-resolution γ -ray spectroscopy, from states at high excitation energy. We also find significant differences with the β intensity that can be deduced from existing measurements of the β spectrum. We evaluate the impact of the present data on reactor decay heat using summation calculations. Although the effect is relatively small it helps to reduce the discrepancy between calculations and integral measurements of the photon component for 235U fission at cooling times in the r…

High-precision mass measurements for the isobaric multiplet mass equation atA= 52

Masses of $^{52}$Co, $^{52}$Co$^m$, $^{52}$Fe, $^{52}$Fe$^m$, and $^{52}$Mn have been measured with the JYFLTRAP double Penning trap mass spectrometer. Of these, $^{52}$Co and $^{52}$Co$^m$ have been experimentally determined for the first time and found to be more bound than predicted by extrapolations. The isobaric multiplet mass equation for the $T=2$ quintet at $A=52$ has been studied employing the new mass values. No significant breakdown (beyond the $3\sigma$ level) of the quadratic form of the IMME was observed ($\chi^2/n=2.4$). The cubic coefficient was 6.0(32) keV ($\chi^2/n=1.1$). The excitation energies for the isomer and the $T=2$ isobaric analogue state in $^{52}$Co have been d…

New information on 12C states from the decays of 12N and 12B

Abstract The properties of states in 12 C above the 3α-threshold are of high current interest for nuclear astrophysics and for the nuclear many-body problem in general. We have initiated a series of experiments aimed at elucidating this region by using the β-decays of 12 N and 12 B. By applying the ISOL method for producing these radioactive isotopes, in combination with modern segmented charged particle detectors, our approach has significant advantages over previous studies of this region.

Strong γ-ray emission from neutron unbound states populated in β-decay: Impact on (n,γ) cross-section estimates

J. L. Taín et al. -- 6 pags., 7 figs., 1 tab. -- Open Access funded by Creative Commons Atribution Licence 4.0

The $\beta$-delayed one- and two-proton emission of $^{27}$S

In an experiment performed at the GANIL LISE3 facility, radioactive 27S isotopes have been produced by projectile fragmentation of a 95 AMeV 36Ar primary beam. After selection by means of the LISE3 separator, the isotope of interest was implanted in a silicon-detector telescope where its half-life ( T 1/2 = 15.5(15) ms) and its main decay branches were measured.

Selected Aspects in the Structure of Beta-Delayed Particle Spectra

Some weak beta-delayed particle emitters in the Tz = -3/2, -1, -1/2, +1/2 and +5/2 series are reviewed. Selected features of the delayed particle emission are discussed in terms of experimental delayed particle data and (p, γ), (p, p') and (p, n) reaction data. Experimental beta transition strengths are compared with the existing complete shell-model calculations for the sd-shell nuclei. The effect of the Gamow-Teller giant resonance on the structure of the delayed particle spectra is considered. The correlation between the widths of two decay channels, protons and alpha particles, and the preceeding beta decay is studied in the case of the 40Sc decay.

The 1+→0+ Gamow–Teller strength of the 58Cug.s.→58Nig.s. transition

The ground-state branch in the beta decay of Cu-58 has been remeasured by using gamma-ray detection combined with ion-guide-based on-line mass separation. The measured value 80.8(7)% is three times more precise and in agreement with the earlier reported value. The deduced Gamow-Teller strength of this transition, to be used for the calibration of the charge-exchange reactions, is 0.0821(7). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Beta decay of $^{61}$Ga

The β decay of 61Ga to its mirror nucleus 61Zn has been measured for the first time by using on-line mass separation and β-delayed gamma-ray spectroscopy. The observed decay strength to the ground state implies superallowed character in accordance with the systematics of the mirror decays in the sd and fp shell. The β feedings observed to four excited states in 61Zn are consistent with earlier spin-parity assignments based on in-beam experiments. The ground-state spin and parity for 61Ga were determined to be 3/2−.

New lifetime measurements inPd109and the onset of deformation atN=60

Several new subnanosecond lifetimes were measured in Pd-109 using the fast-timing beta gamma gamma (t) method. Fission fragments of the A = 109 mass chain were produced by bombarding natural uranium with 30 MeV protons at the Jyvaskyla Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line (IGISOL) facility. Lifetimes were obtained for excited states in Pd-109 populated following beta decay of Rh-109. The new lifetimes provide some insight into the evolution of nuclear structure in this mass region. In particular, the distinct structure of the two low-lying 7/2(+) states occurring systematically across the Pd isotopic chain is supported by the new lifetime measurements. The available nuclear data indicate a s…

Precision mass measurements of Fe67 and Co69,70 : Nuclear structure toward N=40 and impact on r -process reaction rates

Accurate mass measurements of neutron-rich iron and cobalt isotopes $^{67}\mathrm{Fe}$ and $^{69,70}\mathrm{Co}$ have been realized with the JYFLTRAP double Penning-trap mass spectrometer. With novel ion-manipulation techniques, the masses of the $^{69,70}\mathrm{Co}$ ground states and the $1/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ isomer in $^{69}\mathrm{Co}$ have been extracted for the first time. The measurements remove ambiguities in the previous mass values and yield a smoother trend on the mass surface, extending it beyond $N=40$. The moderate $N=40$ subshell gap has been found to weaken below $^{68}\mathrm{Ni}$, a region known for shape coexistence and increased collectivity. The excitation energy for…

Accurate Q value for the 74Se double-electron-capture decay

Abstract The Q value of the neutrinoless double-electron-capture ( 0 ν ECEC ) decay of 74Se was measured by using the JYFLTRAP Penning trap. The determined value is 1209.169(49) keV, which practically excludes the possibility of a complete energy degeneracy with the second 2 + state (1204.205(7) keV) of 74Ge in a resonant 0 ν ECEC decay. We have also computed the associated nuclear matrix element by using a microscopic nuclear model with realistic two-nucleon interactions. The computed matrix element is found to be quite small. The failure of the resonant condition, combined with the small nuclear matrix element and needed p-wave capture, suppresses the decay rate strongly and thus excludes…

Total Absorption Spectroscopy of Fission Fragments Relevant for Reactor Antineutrino Spectra and Decay Heat Calculations

Volume: 111 Host publication title: WONDER-2015 Host publication sub-title: 4TH INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON NUCLEAR DATA EVALUATION FOR REACTOR APPLICATIONS Isbn(print): 978-2-7598-1970-6 Beta decay of fission products is at the origin of decay heat and antineutrino emission in nuclear reactors. Decay heat represents about 7% of the reactor power during operation and strongly impacts reactor safety. Reactor antineutrino detection is used in several fundamental neutrino physics experiments and it can also be used for reactor monitoring and non-proliferation purposes. Rb-92,Rb-93 are two fission products of importance in reactor antineutrino spectra and decay heat, but their beta-decay properti…

Characterization of a cryogenic ion guide at IGISOL

A small volume cryogenic ion guide has been characterized at the IGISOL facility, Jyvaskyla, as a prototype to verify whether there are any major obstacles to the use of high-density cryogenic helium gas for the stopping and extraction of high-energy ions from a large volume cryogenic ion catcher. The expected temperature scaling of the mass flow through the ion guide has been confirmed, showing that for the same helium density, the differential pumping requirements are less stringent for cryogenic operation. At 90 K a clear reduction in the mass-analyzed impurities is achieved, although lower temperatures are required to freeze out oxygen and nitrogen. This is supported by the reduction in…

Clarification of the Three-Body Decay of 12C (12.71 MeV)

Using β decays of a clean source of 12 N produced at the IGISOL facility, we have measured the breakup of the 12 C (12.71 MeV) state into three α particles with a segmented particle detector setup. The high quality of the data permits solving the question of the breakup mechanism of the 12.71 MeV state, a longstanding problem in few-body nuclear physics. Among existing models, a modified sequential model fits the data best, but systematic deviations indicate that a three-body description is needed. peerReviewed

Helium-jet transportation of recoil atoms into a liquid phase

Abstract A rapid inexpensive method has been developed for transportation of recoiling short-lived radioactive nuclides from a target chamber over distances of several meters into a liquid phase. This allows rapid radiochemical separation of different elements. The carrier-loaded helium-jet transport technique is employed without a pumping system. The method would appear to be applicable to most chemical elements. The transport efficiency is higher than 50% and the transport time can be made much shorter than 1 s. Radiochemical separation times of a few seconds were achieved.

Spectroscopy of34,35Sibyβdecay:sd−fpshell gap and single-particle states

Electron-capture branch ofTc100and tests of nuclear wave functions for double-βdecays

We present a measurement of the electron-capture branch of $^{100}\mathrm{Tc}$. Our value, $B(\mathrm{EC})=(2.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.4)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$, implies that the $^{100}\mathrm{Mo}$ neutrino absorption cross section to the ground state of $^{100}\mathrm{Tc}$ is roughly 50% larger than previously thought. Disagreement between the experimental value and QRPA calculations relevant to double-$\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay matrix elements persists. We find agreement with previous measurements of the 539.5- and 590.8-keV $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray intensities.

Excited states in 31S studied via beta decay of 31Cl

The beta decay of 31Cl has been studied with a silicon detector array and a HPGe detector at the IGISOL facility. Previously controversial proton peaks have been confirmed to belong to 31Cl and a new proton group with an energy of 762(14) keV has been found. Proton captures to this state at 6921(15) keV in 31S can have an effect on the reaction rate of 30P(p,γ) in ONe novae. Gamma rays of 1249.1(14) keV and 2234.5(8) keV corresponding to the de-excitations of the first two excited states in 31S have been measured. No beta-delayed protons from the IAS have been observed. peerReviewed

The JYFLTRAP control and measurement system

The JYFLTRAP setup has been used for precision mass spectrometry since 2003. An essential part of this setup is the computer-controlled system consisting of software and hardware that is required to operate the instruments. The software has been developed solely at JYFL using LabVIEW and C++ development tools. The hardware consists of devices controlled using Control Area Network (CAN) field bus and Ethernet for communication purposes. LAN/GPIB-gateways, modular multichannel ISEG DC power supplies and WAGO I/O systems are also used.

Gamma/neutron competition above the neutron separation energy in delayed neutron emitters

To study the β-decay properties of some well known delayed neutron emitters an experiment was performed in 2009 at the IGISOL facility (University of Jyvaskyla in Finland) using Total Absorption -ray Spectroscopy (TAGS) technique. The aim of these measurements is to obtain the full β-strength distribution below the neutron separation energy (Sn) and the γ/neutron competition above. This information is a key parameter in nuclear technology applications as well as in nuclear astrophysics and nuclear structure. Preliminary results of the analysis show a significant γ-branching ratio above Sn. © Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2014.

Precision Mass Measurements beyond $^{132}$Sn: Anomalous behaviour of odd-even staggering of binding energies

Atomic masses of the neutron-rich isotopes $^{121-128}$Cd, $^{129,131}$In, $^{130-135}$Sn, $^{131-136}$Sb, and $^{132-140}$Te have been measured with high precision (10 ppb) using the Penning trap mass spectrometer JYFLTRAP. Among these, the masses of four r-process nuclei $^{135}$Sn, $^{136}$Sb, and $^{139,140}$Te were measured for the first time. The data reveals a strong $N$=82 shell gap at $Z$=50 but indicates the importance of correlations for $Z&gt;50$. An empirical neutron pairing gap expressed as the odd-even staggering of isotopic masses shows a strong quenching across $N$=82 for Sn, with the $Z$-dependence that is unexplainable by the current theoretical models.

$Q$-value of the superallowed $\beta$ decay of 62Ga

Masses of the radioactive isotopes 62Ga, 62Zn and 62Cu have been measured at the JYFLTRAP facility with a relative precision of better than 18 ppb. A Q_EC value of (9181.07 +- 0.54) keV for the superallowed decay of 62Ga is obtained from the measured cyclotron frequency ratios of 62Ga-62Zn, 62Ga-62Ni and 62Zn-62Ni ions. The resulting Ft-value supports the validity of the conserved vector current hypothesis (CVC). The mass excess values measured were (-51986.5 +-1.0) keV for 62Ga, (-61167.9 +- 0.9) keV for 62Zn and (-62787.2 +- 0.9) keV for 62Cu.

Production of pure samples of 131mXe and 135Xe

Pure samples of (131m)Xe, (133m)Xe, (133)Xe and (135)Xe facilitate the calibration and testing of noble gas sampler stations and related laboratory instrumentation. We have earlier reported a Penning trap-based production method for pure (133m)Xe and (133)Xe samples. Here we complete the work by reporting the successful production of pure (131m)Xe and (135)Xe samples using the same technique. In addition, we present data on xenon release from graphite.

Neutron yields from thick 12C and 9Be targets irradiated by 50 and 65 MeV deuterons

Abstract Absolute intensities, angular distributions and energy spectra of neutrons emitted from thick 12 C and 9 Be targets irradiated with 50 and 65 MeV deuterons, respectively, have been measured. The neutron spectra were measured by time-of-flight (TOF) technique. The detectors provided continuous coverage from 0° to 60° where a significant angular dependence of emitted neutrons was found. The yield of 0.109(10) neutrons/deuteron from the 9 Be target is a factor of two higher than that from the 12 C target, 0.056(6) neutrons/deuteron. The hardness parameters of the neutron spectra are calculated for the radiation damage studies of the silicon devices.

Collinear laser spectroscopy of neutron-rich cerium isotopes near theN= 88 shape transition

Laser spectroscopy has been used to measure the isotope shifts of 146Ce and 148Ce relative to 144Ce, Z = 58. The new data, in combination with existing optical data on the stable isotopes and radioactive 144Ce isotope, permits a study of charge radii variations for the even-N Ce nuclei from N = 78 to N = 90. This range covers both the N = 82 shell closure and the N = 88 shape transition region. A marked increase in deformation occurs at N = 88 for elements with Z ≥ 60 but not for those with Z ≤ 56. The new data for Ce (Z = 58) show an intermediate behaviour, resulting in a smooth increase in deformation with Z in the N = 88, 90 region.

Total absorption spectroscopy of fission fragments relevant for reactor antineutrino spectra

International audience; The accurate determination of reactor antineutrino spectra remains a very active research topic for which new methods of study have emerged in recent years. Indeed, following the long-recognized reactor anomaly (measured antineutrino deficit in short baseline reactor experiments when compared with spectral predictions), the three international reactor neutrino experiments Double Chooz, Daya Bay and Reno have recently demonstrated the existence of spectral distortions in their measurements with respect to the same predictions. These spectral predictions were obtained through the conversion of integral beta-energy spectra obtained at the ILL research reactor. Several s…

Level lifetimes in neutron-rich Ru isotopes

The neutron-rich Ru isotopes are situated between the strongly deformed Sr-Zr region with axial deformation of f l _ 0.40 [1] and the spherical Cd-Sn region. Evidence for triaxiality of even-even Ru isotopes has been presented in [2-5], and lifetimes of some of their 2 + states have been measured in fission studies [6-9]. It seems, however, that in these experiments the nearly identical energies of the 2 + ---* 0 + transitions in l~ and 11~ could not be separated. Therefore, high-resolution measurements are required in order to perceive the evolution of deformation with increasing neutron number. So far only few measurements by the delayed-coincidence method [10] have been performed on chem…

Charge separation relative to the reaction plane in Pb-Pb collisions atsNN=2.76  TeV

Measurements of charge-dependent azimuthal correlations with the ALICE detector at the LHC are reported for Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV. Two- and three-particle charge-dependent azimuthal correlations in the pseudorapidity range vertical bar eta vertical bar < 0.8 are presented as a function of the collision centrality, particle separation in pseudorapidity, and transverse momentum. A clear signal compatible with a charge-dependent separation relative to the reaction plane is observed, which shows little or no collision energy dependence when compared to measurements at RHIC energies. This provides a new insight for understanding the nature of the charge-dependent azimuthal co…

Low-spin excitations in the 109Tc nucleus

Monoisotopic samples of ${}^{109}$Mo nuclei, produced in the deuteron-induced fission of ${}^{238}$U and separated using the IGISOL mass separator coupled to a Penning trap, were used to perform $\ensuremath{\beta}$- and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-coincidence spectroscopy of ${}^{109}$Tc. Spin and parity 5/2${}^{+}$ for the ground state of ${}^{109}$Mo, proposed earlier, are supported in the present work. Three new low-energy levels observed in ${}^{109}$Tc are interpreted as bandheads of the $\ensuremath{\pi}3/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$[301], $\ensuremath{\pi}5/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$[303], and $\ensuremath{\pi}1/{2}^{+}$[431] configurations, respectively. A further three levels observed around 0.4 Me…

Upgrade and yields of the IGISOL facility

The front end of the Jyvaskyla IGISOL facility was upgraded in 2003 by increasing its pumping capacity and by improving the radiation shielding. In late 2005, the skimmer electrode of the mass separator was replaced by a sextupole ion guide, which improved the mass separator efficiency up to an order of magnitude. The current design of the facility is described. The updated yield data, achieved with and without the additional JYFLTRAP purification, using both fusion evaporation reactions and particle induced fission is presented to give an overview of the capability of the facility. These data have been determined either by radioactivity measurements or by direct ion counting after the Penn…

Decay of the neutron-rich isotope 113Ru to 113Rh

The decay of neutron-rich isotope 113Ru obtained as on-line mass separated product of proton-induced fission has been investigated by γγ coincidence and spectrum multiscaling measurements. Decay schemes for both low- and high-spin isomers of 113Ru have been constructed. The level scheme of 113Rh is considerably extended. Systematics of the lowest-lying rhodium levels is smooth. The picture of shape coexistence established for neutron-rich Rh isotopes near-neutron midshell is confirmed with the observation of a K = 1/2 deformed band, with its 3/2+ state at 600 keV being the lowest-lying level and of probable 7/2+ and 5/2+ band members. A large fraction of β feeding is found to populate high-…

Beta-delayed neutron decay of 33Na

Abstract Beta-delayed neutron decay of 33 Na has been studied using the on-line mass separator ISOLDE. The delayed neutron spectra were measured by time-of-flight technique using fast scintillators. Two main neutron groups at 800(60) and 1020(80) keV were assigned to the 33 Na decay, showing evidence for strong feeding of states at about 4 MeV in 33 Mg. By simultaneous β–γ–n counting the delayed neutron emission probabilities P 1n =47(6)% and P 2n =13(3)% were determined. The half-life value for 33 Na, T 1/2 =8.0(3) ms , was measured by three different techniques, one employing identifying gamma transitions and two employing beta and neutron counting.

A new 400 ms isomer in125Ce→125La

By using the IGISOL technique, adapted for the study of products of heavy ion induced fusion-evaporation reactions, it has been possible to identify a new isomer in the mass chainA=125.

Laser spectroscopy of neutron deficient zirconium isotopes

The first optical measurements of the neutron deficient isotopes, 87-89Zr, and also the two long-lived isomers, 87m,89mZr, have been performed using the new technique of collinear laser spectroscopy of cooled, bunched ion beams. Nuclear mean-square charge radii, spins, magnetic moments and quadrupole moments spanning the N = 50 shell closure are reported. The \"kink\" in the charge radii trends at the neutron shell closure is the most pronounced obsd. for any element in the region. [on SciFinder (R)]

Long-range angular correlations of π, K and p in p–Pb collisions at sNN=5.02 TeV

Angular correlations between unidentified charged trigger particles and various species of charged associated particles (unidentified particles, pions, kaons, protons and antiprotons) are measured by the ALICE detector in p-Pb collisions at a nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV in the transverse-momentum range 0.3 < p(T) < 4 GeV/c. The correlations expressed as associated yield per trigger particle are obtained in the pseudorapidity range vertical bar n(lab)vertical bar < 0.8. Fourier coefficients are extracted from the long-range correlations projected onto the azimuthal angle difference and studied as a function of p(T) and in intervals of event multiplicity. In high-multipl…

Transport and extraction of radioactive ions stopped in superfluid helium

A new approach to convert a high energy beam to a low energy one, which is essential for the next generation radioactive ion beam facilities, has been proposed and tested at Jyvaskyla, Finland. An open Ra-223 alpha-decay-recoil source has been used to produce radioactive ions in superfluid helium. The alpha spectra demonstrate that the recoiling Rn-219 ions have been extracted out of liquid helium. This first observation of the extraction of heavy positive ions across the superfluid helium surface was possible thanks to the high sensitivity of radioactivity detection. An efficiency of 36% was obtained for the ion extraction out of liquid helium. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res…

J/ψSuppression at Forward Rapidity in Pb-Pb Collisions atsNN=2.76  TeV

The ALICE experiment has measured the inclusive J/psi production in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV down to zero transverse momentum in the rapidity range 2.5 < y < 4. A suppression of the inclusive J/psi yield in Pb-Pb is observed with respect to the one measured in pp collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions. The nuclear modification factor, integrated over the 0%-80% most central collisions, is 0.545 +/- 0.032(stat) +/- 0.083dsyst_ and does not exhibit a significant dependence on the collision centrality. These features appear significantly different from measurements at lower collision energies. Models including J/psi production from charm quarks in…

Isomer and decay studies for the rp process at IGISOL

This article reviews the decay studies of neutron-deficient nuclei within the mass region \ensuremathA=56--100 performed at the Ion-Guide Isotope Separator On-Line (IGISOL) facility in the University of Jyväskylä over last 25 years. Development from He-jet measurements to on-line mass spectrometry, and eventually to atomic mass measurements and post-trap spectroscopy at IGISOL, has yielded studies of around 100 neutron-deficient nuclei over the years. The studies form a solid foundation to astrophysical rp -process path modelling. The focus is on isomers studied either via spectroscopy or via Penning-trap mass measurements. The review is complemented with recent results on the ground and is…

Status report of the SARA IGISOL used in the study of the 238U(α 40 MeV, ƒ) reaction

Abstract A new ion guide isotope separator on-line (IGISOL), operating with the SARA facility, has been constructed. Using the 238U(α 40 MeV, ƒ) reaction to produce very neutron-rich radioisotopes, all mass chains from A = 96 to 122 have been scanned by conventional methods of nuclear spectroscopy. Provided the stopping volume is separated from the primary beam, it has been proved that the yield is nearly proportional to the He pressure. In addition to the usual advantages (quasi-independence from physical and chemical properties of elements), this makes IGISOL a powerful technique for high energy recoil products. During the experiments the boundary of known neutron-rich nuclei was reached …

Two-proton emission in the decay of Ar-31

18 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables.-- PACS nrs.: 23.40.Hc; 27.30.+t.

Total absorption γ-ray spectroscopy of beta delayed neutron emitters

Preliminary results of the data analysis of the beta decay of 94Rb using a novel - segmented- total absorption spectrometer are shown in this contribution. This result is part of a systematic study of important contributors to the decay heat problem in nuclear reactors. In this particular case the goal is to determine the beta intensity distribution below the neutron separation energy and the gamma/beta competition above.

Radioactive Beams for Image-Guided Particle Therapy : The BARB Experiment at GSI

Several techniques are under development for image-guidance in particle therapy. Positron (β+) emission tomography (PET) is in use since many years, because accelerated ions generate positron-emitting isotopes by nuclear fragmentation in the human body. In heavy ion therapy, a major part of the PET signals is produced by β+-emitters generated via projectile fragmentation. A much higher intensity for the PET signal can be obtained using β+-radioactive beams directly for treatment. This idea has always been hampered by the low intensity of the secondary beams, produced by fragmentation of the primary, stable beams. With the intensity upgrade of the SIS-18 synchrotron and the isotopic separati…

Overview of recent highlights at ISOL facilities

Abstract An overview of recent developments and results in nuclear physics research and related areas driven by the ISOL method is given. The emphasis of the article is on the last few years following the previous inpc2004 conference held three years ago in Sweden.

Beta-Decay Half-Lives and Neutron-Emission Probabilities of Very Neutron-Rich Y to Tc Isotopes

Neutron-rich {sub 39}Y to {sub 43}Tc isotopes have been produced by fission of uranium with a 50MeV H{sub 2}{sup +} beam. Beta-decay half-lives, delayed neutron-emission probabilities, and production yields have been measured and compared with theory. Beta decay of 4 new isotopes is reported, and the {beta}-delayed neutron-emission mode has been discovered for 12 isotopes of the elements niobium and technetium. The results compared to quasiparticle random phase approximation predictions indicate the increasing importance of fast {beta} transitions to high-lying states of nuclei with large neutron excess. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

Towards on-line production of N=Z94Ag at IGISOL

Abstract A future study of the ground state and low-lying isomeric states of 94 Ag and 96 Ag at the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line (IGISOL) facility, University of Jyvaskyla, requires the development of a low-energy beam of neutron-deficient silver. In order to attain the highest possible extraction efficiencies the coupling of a hot cavity graphite catcher device to the IGISOL mass-separator is planned. A heavy-ion fusion-evaporation reaction will produce the silver recoils which will be captured in the graphite catcher. Resonant laser ionization techniques will be applied to efficiently and selectively ionize the evaporated silver atoms. A simulation program has been written to study…

Isomeric states close to doubly magic $^{132}$Sn studied with JYFLTRAP

The double Penning trap mass spectrometer JYFLTRAP has been employed to measure masses and excitation energies for $11/2^-$ isomers in $^{121}$Cd, $^{123}$Cd, $^{125}$Cd and $^{133}$Te, for $1/2^-$ isomers in $^{129}$In and $^{131}$In, and for $7^-$ isomers in $^{130}$Sn and $^{134}$Sb. These first direct mass measurements of the Cd and In isomers reveal deviations to the excitation energies based on results from beta-decay experiments and yield new information on neutron- and proton-hole states close to $^{132}$Sn. A new excitation energy of 144(4) keV has been determined for $^{123}$Cd$^m$. A good agreement with the precisely known excitation energies of $^{121}$Cd$^m$, $^{130}$Sn$^m$, an…

Structure of 115Ag studied by β− decays of 115Pd and 115mPd

The excited levels of 115Ag have been studied via the beta decay of 115Pd and 115Pdm. The beta-decay schemes for both states have been considerably extended, especially the scheme following the decay of 115Pdm which was practically unknown before this work. Transition intensities and log10 f t values are reported, which have been missing in the literature. A set of levels around 2 MeV has been found to be strongly populated by the beta decay of the ground state of 115Pd and is suggested to have a three-quasiparticle nature. The properties of excited levels have been compared with the level systematics of lighter neutron-rich silver isotopes, and new spin assignments as well as identificatio…

Nuclear moments, charge radii and spins of the ground and isomeric states in175Yb and177Yb

This paper reports static moments and changes in mean-square charge radii of 175, 177, 177mYb measured using collinear laser spectroscopy at the IGISOL facility. The moments are compared to predictions made using the Nilsson model to determine the purity of the multi-quasiparticle T1/2 = 11.4 s, Iπ = 8− state of 176Yb and the ground state of 177Yb. The ground-state spins of 175, 177Yb and the T1/2 = 6.41 s, E = 331.5 keV isomeric state in 177Yb, have been measured from the hyperfine structure to be 7/2, 9/2 and 1/2 respectively.

News on 12C from beta-decay studies

We discuss the importance of the spectroscopic properties of the resonances of 12C just above the 3α-threshold, and review the existing experimental information of this region with emphasis on O+ and 2+ states. A new experimental approach for studying the β-decays of 12B and 12N is presented based on techniques developed in the context of Radioactive beam (rare isotope) physics. Finally preliminary results from an ongoing analysis of two recent experiments are given. © 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Intruder features in the island of inversion : The 33Mg case

The 33 Na β decay was studied online using mass separation techniques and a first description of the level structure of the neutron-rich isotope 33 Mg , with N = 21 , has been obtained. The experiment involved the measurement of β-γ, β-γ-γ, and β − n − γ coincidences as well as neutron spectra by time-of-flight technique. The first low energy level scheme for the daughter nucleus 33 Mg is given with five bound states. Spin and parity assignments are proposed according to β feedings and γ-ray multipolarities. β-strength distribution is evaluated, taking into account 1 n - and 2 n -emission channels and it is compared with the calculated GT strength distribution. In particular, the 1 p − 1 h …

Precision mass measurements of neutron-rich nuclei between N=50 and 82

Our knowledge of binding energies of neutron-rich nuclei has experienced a major revision during the last five years due to the introduction of Penning-trap based mass measurements. New mass values for nearly 300 nuclides produced in fission with uncertainties of 10 keV or less have become available. The data produced at three Penning trap facilities at Jyvaskyla, CERN-ISOLDE and Argonne cover all isotopic chains from Ni to Pr, except iodine. In this talk some of this data is reviewed and applied using the mass differentials such as two-neutron binding energy and odd-even staggering to probe their sensitivity on changes in nuclear structure and on the strength of the N=82 shell gap and asso…

The shape transition in the neutron-rich yttrium isotopes and isomers

Abstract Laser spectroscopy has been used to study 86–90,92–102Y and isomeric states of 87–90,93,96,97,98Y. Nuclear charge radii differences, magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments have been obtained. Information on the nature of the Z ≈ 40 , N ≈ 60 sudden onset of deformation has been derived from all three parameters. It is seen that with increasing neutron number from the N = 50 shell closure that the nuclear deformation becomes increasingly oblate and increasingly soft. At N = 60 a transition to a strongly deformed rigid prolate shape occurs but prior to this, although the nuclear deformation is increasing with N, a proportionate increase in softness is also observed.

Half-life, branching-ratio, andQ-value measurement for the superallowed0+→0+β+emitterTi42

The half-life, the branching ratio, and the decay $Q$ value of the superallowed $\ensuremath{\beta}$ emitter $^{42}\mathrm{Ti}$ were measured in an experiment performed at the JYFLTRAP facility of the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyv\"askyl\"a. $^{42}\mathrm{Ti}$ is the heaviest ${T}_{z}=\ensuremath{-}1$ nucleus for which high-precision measurements of these quantities have been tried. The half-life (${T}_{1/2}=208.14\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.45$ ms) and the $Q$ value [${Q}_{\mathrm{EC}}=7016.83(25)$ keV] are close to or reach the required precision of about 0.1%. The branching ratio for the superallowed decay branch [$\mathrm{BR}=47.7(12)%$], a by-product of the half-lif…

Neutron-rich nuclei and fission; recent developments and future aspects

Production and studies of neutron-rich nuclei produced in fission are reviewed. Some recent experiments performed with the ISOL technique at the IGISOL and the ISOLDE facilities are reviewed. The manipulation of neutron-rich nuclei is discussed with a special focus on radioactive ion cooling and trapping techniques under construction worldwide. Perspectives of obtaining intense post accelarated beams of fission products are discussed.

Decays of110Rhand112Rhto the near neutron midshell isotopes110Pdand112Pd

The decays ${}^{110}\mathrm{Rh}$ and ${}^{112}\mathrm{Rh}$ have been investigated using on-line mass separation with the ion-guide technique. Extended decay schemes have been constructed for both the low- and high-spin states in ${}^{112}\mathrm{Rh}$. Mixing ratios for the collective transitions from the ${2}_{2}^{+}$ and ${3}_{1}^{+}$ states in ${}^{112}\mathrm{Pd}$ have been measured by $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ angular correlation. The presence of two sets of ${0}^{+}$ and ${2}^{+}$ states in the 1.1\char21{}1.4 MeV range suggests the existence of an intruder band, the energy of which is the lowest in ${}^{110}\mathrm{Pd}$ with two neutrons fewer than the mid…

A step further in the A = 33−35, N ≃ 21, island of inversion: the structure of 33Mg

Experimental indications have been found in the seventies for the deformation of neutron-rich A ≃ 32 nuclei [1]. This could be explained by Hartree-Fock calculations, predicting deformed configurations in the ground state of nuclei in the A = 33−35, N ≃ 21 mass region. This exotic region, called the island of inversion [2], knows a renewed interest since it can be now experimentally accessible for detailed studies.

A study of on-line gas cell processes at IGISOL

Abstract The laser ion source at the IGISOL facility, Jyvaskyla, has been used to study the effects of the passage of a primary beam through an ion guide via the dynamic time profiles of yttrium and related molecular compounds. The accessibility of a neutral fraction for laser ionization is shown to be restricted to the nozzle region in the presence of a weak plasma. The survival of this neutral fraction cannot be explained by recombination of the buffer gas alone and perhaps indicates a suppression of the transport of ions due to a plasma-generated electric field. The concept of a competition between the processes that create and destroy the ion of interest is used to explain the different…

Studying exotic nuclides close to the N = Z line at the HIGISOL facility

The ion guide [1, 2] for heavy-ion fusion-evaporation reactions (HIGISOL) which was developed by Beraud et al. [3] has been implemented at the IGISOL facility in Jyvaskyla [4]. This system was modified over the past 5 years. Figure 1 shows the present set-up. The HIGISOL takes advantage of the different angular distributions of primary beam and reaction products: the primary beam is stopped in front of the stopping chamber and the reaction products enter the stopping chamber through a thin foil passing the beam stop. This so called “shadow” method removes the plasma effect since the primary beam is not ionising the stopping gas. In order to improve ion optical properties, mainly to reduce t…

Measurement of fission products β decay properties using a total absorption spectrometer

In a nuclear reactor, the decay of fission fragments is at the origin of decay heat and antineutrino flux. These quantities are not well known while they are very important for reactor safety and for our understanding of neutrino physics. One reason for the discrepancies observed in the estimation of the decay heat and antineutrinos flux coming from reactors could be linked with the Pandemonium effect. New measurements have been performed at the JYFL facility of Jyvaskyla with a Total Absorption Spectrometer (TAS) in order to circumvent this effect. An overview of the TAS technique and first results from the 2009 measurement campaign will be presented. © Owned by the authors, published by E…

R-matrix analysis of theβdecays ofN12andB12

The β decays of 12N and 12B have been studied at KVI and JYFL to resolve the composition of the broad and interfering 0+ and 2+ strengths in the triple-α continuum. For the first time a complete treatment of 3α decay is presented including all major breakup channels. A multilevel, many-channel R-matrix formalism has been developed for the complete description of the breakup in combination with the recently published separate analysis of angular correlations. We find that, in addition to the Hoyle state at 7.65 MeV, more than one 0+ and 2+ state is needed to reproduce the spectra. Broad 03+ and 22+ states are found between 10.5 and 12 MeV in this work. The presence of β strength up to the 12…

Ground state properties of manganese isotopes across the N=28 shell closure

Abstract The first optical study of the N = 28 shell closure in manganese is reported. Mean-square charge radii and quadrupole moments, obtained for ground and isomeric states in 50–56 Mn, are extracted using new calculations of atomic factors. The charge radii show a well defined shell closure at the magic number. The behaviour of the charge radii is strikingly different to that of the neutron separation energies where no shell effect can be observed. The nuclear parameters can be successfully described by large scale shell model calculations using the GXPF1A interaction.

A New Book on Isotope Discoveries by Michael Thoennessen

Beta-decay half-lives of $^{70}$Kr and $^{74}$Rb

Abstract Beta-decay half-lives of two nuclei close to N = Z line, 70 Kr and 74 Rb, have been measured at the ISOLDE mass-separator facility at CERN. Importance of these half-lives on two ingredients explaining existence and development of the Universe, the astrophysical nucleosynthesis and the Standard Model, are discussed.

Nuclear Physics: The Nordic View

J/ψ production as a function of charged particle multiplicity in pp collisions at s =7 TeV

The ALICE Collaboration reports the measurement of the relative J/psi yield as a function of charged particle pseudorapidity density dN(ch)/d eta in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV at the LHC. J/psi particles are detected for p(t) > 0, in the rapidity interval vertical bar y vertical bar 0. In the highest multiplicity interval with (dN(ch)/d eta)(bin)) = 24.1, corresponding to four times the minimum bias multiplicity density, an enhancement relative to the minimum bias J/psi yield by a factor of about 5 at 2.5 < y <4 (8 at vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9) is observed. (C) 2012 CERN. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Alignment of the ALICE Inner Tracking System with cosmic-ray tracks

ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) is the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) experiment devoted to investigating the strongly interacting matter created in nucleus-nucleus collisions at the LHC energies. The ALICE ITS, Inner Tracking System, consists of six cylindrical layers of silicon detectors with three different technologies; in the outward direction: two layers of pixel detectors, two layers each of drift, and strip detectors. The number of parameters to be determined in the spatial alignment of the 2198 sensor modules of the ITS is about 13,000. The target alignment precision is well below 10 micron in some cases (pixels). The sources of alignment information include survey measurement…

Separation of fission products by the ion guide fed isotope separator, IGISOL

Abstract The performance of the ion guide method in the on-line mass separation of fission products has been investigated. Activity was produced by bombarding nat. U targets with a beam of 20 MeV protons. All the mass chains from A = 95 through A = 120 have been scanned using conventional methods of nuclear spectroscopy. No chemical selectivity in the separation was observed; isotopes of highly nonvolatile elements from yttrium to palladium were produced with efficiencies equal to those for the more volatile ones. The boundary of known neutron-rich nuclides was reached throughout the mass region from A = 106 to A = 118. During the course of this preliminary study the new isotope 116 Rh was …

β-decay data requirements for reactor decay heat calculations: study of the possible source of the gamma-ray discrepancy in reactor heat summation calculations

The decay heat of fission products plays an important role in predictions of the heat up of nuclear fuel in reactors. The released energy is calculated as the summation of the activities of allfission products P(t) = Ei λi Ni(t), where Ei is the decay energy of nuclide i (gamma and beta component), λi is the decay constant of nuclide i and Ni(t) is the number of nuclide i at cooling time t. Even though the reproduction of the measured decay heat has improved in recent years, there is still a long standing discrepancy in the t ∼ 1000s cooling time for some fuels. A possible explanation to this improper description has been found in the work of Yoshida et al. (1), where it has been shown that…

Light vector meson production in pp collisions at s=7 TeV

The ALICE experiment has measured low-mass dimuon production in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV in the dimuon rapidity region 2.5 < y < 4. The observed dimuon mass spectrum is described as a superposition of resonance decays (eta, rho, omega, eta', phi) into muons and semi-leptonic decays of charmed mesons. The measured production cross sections for omega and phi are sigma(omega)(1 < p(t) < 5 GeV/c. 2.5 < y < 4) = 5.28 +/- 0.54(stat) +/- 0.49(syst) mb and sigma(phi)(1 < p(t) < 5 GeV/c. 2.5 < y < 4) = 0.940 +/- 0.084(stat) +/- 0.076(syst) mb. The differential cross sections d(2)sigma/dy dp(t) are extracted as a function of p(t) for omega and phi. The ratio between the rho and omega cross sec…

In-trap conversion electron spectroscopy

The Penning trap REXTRAP at ISOLDE was used to test the feasibility of in-trap conversion electron spectroscopy. The results of simulations, experiments with solid conversion electron sources as well as first on-line and tests with trapped radioactive ions are presented. In addition to obtaining high-resolution spectroscopic data, the detection of conversion electrons was found to be a useful tool for the diagnostics of the trap operation. The tests proved the feasibility of in-trap spectroscopy but also revealed some potential problems to be addressed in the future.

Q values of the 76Ge and 100Mo double-beta decays

Abstract Penning trap measurements using mixed beams of 76Ge–76Se and 100Mo–100Ru have been utilized to determine the double-beta decay Q-values of 76Ge and 100Mo with uncertainties less than 200 eV. The value for 76Ge, 2039.04(16) keV is in agreement with the published SMILETRAP value, 2039.006(50) keV. The new value for 100Mo, 3034.40(17) keV is 30 times more precise than the previous literature value, sufficient for the ongoing neutrinoless double-beta decay searches in 100Mo. Moreover, the precise Q-value is used to calculate the phase-space integrals and the experimental nuclear matrix element of double-beta decay.

Transport efficiency of the helium-jet recoil-transport method with pure helium

Abstract New techniques have been developed for measuring the transport efficiency of the helium-jet recoil-transport method in the transport of radioactive recoil atoms. The dependence of the transport efficiency on main equipment parameters was studied experimentally using pure commercial-grade helium. The results are given in terms of helium mass throughput, capillary parameters and location of a catcher foil. High to moderate efficiencies were observed at transport distances shorter than 20 cm. Efficiencies obtained with pure helium at distances longer than 1 m are low, typically less than 1%. Possibilities for further development of the method are briefly discussed.

First collinear laser spectroscopy measurements of radioisotopes from an IGISOL ion source

Abstract The standard Doppler-free technique of collinear laser spectroscopy has been successfully applied to radioisotopes from the ion-guide isotope separator (IGISOL) at the University of Jyvaskyla. The laser resonance fluorescence signals for the 140,142,144 Ba radioisotopes show that the ion beam energy spread is less than 6 eV, allowing the laser technique to have both high resolution and a sensitivity comparable with the best obtained at conventional facilities.

Experimental study ofβ-delayed proton decay ofAl23for nucleosynthesis in novae

The $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and proton decay of $^{23}\mathrm{Al}$ has been studied with an alternative detector setup at the focal plane of the momentum achromat recoil separator MARS at Texas A University. We could detect protons down to an energy of 200 keV and determine the corresponding branching ratios. Contrary to results of previous $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay studies, no strong proton intensity from the decay of the isobaric analog state (IAS) of the $^{23}\mathrm{Al}$ ground state at ${E}_{x}=7803$ keV in $^{23}\mathrm{Mg}$ was observed. Instead we assign the observed low-energy group ${E}_{p,\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}=206$ keV to the decay from a state that…

Medium-spin structure of neutron-rich Pd and Cd isotopes

Cadmium isotopes are traditionally considered as good examples of nearly spherical, vibrational nuclei, which can be described by quadrupole vibrators in the collective model, as well as the U(5) dynamical symmetry in the interacting boson model (IBM). However, the shape coexistence of more deformed intruder states originating from proton 2p–4h excitation across the Z = 50 major shell is another interesting structural aspect, whose presence in Pd-isotopes has also been demonstrated [1,2].

Beta decay of neutron-rich 118Rh and the lowest excited states in 118Pd

Beta decay of a refractory isotope 118Rh produced in symmetric fission and mass separated by the ion guide technique has been applied for the study of low-lying excited states of 118Pd. The yrast band in 118Pd has been observed up to a 6+ state and the lowest states of the asymmetric γ-band have been identified. The measured half-life of 118Rh is (300±60)ms. The systematics of the excited states in neutron-rich Pd-isotopes implies the saturation towards an O(6) symmetry at N = 70.

Peculiarities in fragment mass distribution in the 238U + 40Ar (243 MeV) reaction

A pronounced fine structure (FS) in the form of distinct peaks was observed in neutron gated mass spectra from the decay of the 278110 composite system produced in the reaction 238U + 40Ar (243 MeV) at an initial excitation energy E * > 70 MeV. The FS peaks are located in the vicinity of mass numbers 70-80, 100, and 130, which correspond to those of magic nuclei (clusters). In the data there is also evidence for a new type of decay -- collinear cluster tripartition of an excited nucleus.

Studies of Weak Beta-Delayed Protons Emitted in the Decay of Odd-Z, Tz = -3/2 Nuclei

Radioactive decay of Tz = - 3/2 nuclides, 27P and 31Cl, predicted to be weak β-delayed proton precursors, have been looked for. Two proton groups having energies of 989 ± 15 and 1528 ± 20 keV and a half-life of 150 ± 25 ms were associated with the decay of 31Cl. The search for 27P is still under way, but the first qualitative results are briefly discussed.

Net-charge fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76TeV.

We report the first measurement of the net-charge fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV, measured with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The dynamical fluctuations per unit entropy are observed to decrease when going from peripheral to central collisions. An additional reduction in the amount of fluctuations is seen in comparison to the results from lower energies. We examine the dependence of fluctuations on the pseudo-rapidity interval, which may account for the dilution of fluctuations during the evolution of the system. We find that the ALICE data points are between the theoretically predicted values for a hadron gas and a Quark-Gluon Plasma.…

Independent isotopic yields in 25 MeV and 50 MeV proton-induced fission of natU

Independent isotopic yields for elements from Zn to La in the 25 MeV proton-induced fission of natUnatU were determined with the JYFLTRAP facility. In addition, isotopic yields for Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Zr, Pd and Xe in the 50 MeV proton-induced fission of natUnatU were measured. The deduced isotopic yield distributions are compared with a Rubchenya model, the GEF model with universal parameters and the semi-empirical Wahl model. Of these, the Rubchenya model gives the best overall agreement with the obtained data. Combining the isotopic yield data with mass yield data to obtain the absolute independent yields was attempted. The result depends on the mass yield distribution. peerReviewed

Feasibility of In-Trap Conversion Electron Spectroscopy

We have used REXTRAP at ISOLDE to test the feasibility of in-trap electron spectroscopy. The results of calculations, experiments with various electron sources as well as a first test with trapped radioactive ions are presented.

Nuclear spin determination of100mY by collinear laser spectroscopy of optically pumped ions

The nuclear spin of the τ1/2 = 0.94 s isomer in 100Y has been determined by collinear laser spectroscopy of optically pumped yttrium fission fragments at the IGISOL facility, JYFL. The isotopes 96, 98, 99, 100Y were produced by the proton-induced fission of natural uranium, and studied on the 4d5s 3D2 (1045 cm−1) → 4d5p 3P1 (32 124 cm−1) transition at 321.67 nm. Enhancement of the population of the metastable 3D2 level was achieved by optically pumping the ground state population via the 5s2 1S0 → 4d5p 1P1 transition at 363.31 nm while the ions were stored in a linear Paul trap. These data, when combined with previous spectroscopic results, give sufficient information for the nuclear spin o…

Structure of115Ag studied byβ−decays of115Pd and115Pdm

The excited levels of ${}^{115}$Ag have been studied via the beta decay of ${}^{115}$Pd and ${}^{115}$Pd${}^{m}$. The beta-decay schemes for both states have been considerably extended, especially the scheme following the decay of ${}^{115}$Pd${}^{m}$ which was practically unknown before this work. Transition intensities and ${\mathrm{log}}_{10}ft$ values are reported, which have been missing in the literature. A set of levels around 2 MeV has been found to be strongly populated by the beta decay of the ground state of ${}^{115}$Pd and is suggested to have a three-quasiparticle nature. The properties of excited levels have been compared with the level systematics of lighter neutron-rich sil…

Anisotropic flow of charged hadrons, pions and (anti-)protons measured at high transverse momentum in Pb–Pb collisions at sNN=2.76 TeV

The elliptic, v(2), triangular, v(3), and quadrangular, v(4), azimuthal anisotropic flow coefficients are measured for unidentified charged particles, pions, and (anti-)protons in Pb-Pb collisions at root S-NN = 2.76 TeV with the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Results obtained with the event plane and four-particle cumulant methods are reported for the pseudo-rapidity range vertical bar eta vertical bar 8 GeV/c. The small p(T) dependence of the difference between elliptic flow results obtained from the event plane and four-particle cumulant methods suggests a common origin of flow fluctuations up to p(T) = 8 GeV/c. The magnitude of the (anti-)proton elliptic and triangular flo…

Fast and nonselective on-line mass separation of neutron-rich isotopes produced in proton-induced fission

Abstract On-line mass separation of short-lived radionuclides, based on the use of thermalized primary ions from nuclear reactions, termed as an ion guide method, has recently been widely applied in the spectroscopy of both proton-rich and neutron-rich exotic nuclei. The technique has been found to be applicable to all elements and it has allowed the detection of the mass-analyzed activities with half-lives as short as 0.1 ms. The ion guide isotope separator on-line, IGISOL, has recently been used to discover over ten new short-lived isotopes or isomers produced in the nearly symmetric fission of uranium induced by 20 MeV protons. In addition to applications in nuclear-structure physics and…

Laser spectroscopy of niobium fission fragments: first use of optical pumping in an ion beam cooler buncher.

A new method of optical pumping in an ion beam cooler buncher has been developed to selectively enhance ionic metastable state populations. The technique permits the study of elements previously inaccessible to laser spectroscopy and has been applied here to the study of Nb. Model independent mean-square charge radii and nuclear moments have been studied for $^{90,90\text{ }\mathrm{m},91,91\text{ }\mathrm{m},92,93,99,101,103}\mathrm{Nb}$ to cover the region of the $N=50$ shell closure and $N\ensuremath{\approx}60$ sudden onset of deformation. The increase in mean-square charge radius is observed to be less than that for Y, with a substantial degree of $\ensuremath{\beta}$ softness observed …

New insights into triaxiality and shape coexistence from odd-mass Rh109

Rapid shape evolutions near A = 100 are now the focus of much attention in nuclear science. Much of the recent work has been centered on isotopes with Z <= 40, where the shapes are observed to transition between near-spherical to highly deformed with only a single pair of neutrons added. At higher Z, the shape transitions become more gradual as triaxiality sets in, yet the coexistence of varying shapes continues to play an important role in the low-energy nuclear structure, particularly in the odd-Z isotopes. This work aims to characterize competing shapes in the triaxial region between Zr and Sn isotopes using ultrafast timing techniques to measure lifetimes of excited states in the neutro…

Two-pion Bose-Einstein correlations inppcollisions ats=900  GeV

We report on the measurement of two-pion correlation functions from pp collisions at root s = 900 GeV performed by the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. Our analysis shows an increase of the Hanbury Brown-Twiss radius with increasing event multiplicity, in line with other measurements done in particle- and nuclear collisions. Conversely, the strong decrease of the radius with increasing transverse momentum, as observed at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and at Tevatron, is not manifest in our data.

Measurement of the IAS resonance strength in 23Mg

Abstract Beta decay of 23 Al to excited states in 23 Mg has been studied using low-energy proton and high-energy gamma-ray detection combined with ion-guide-based on-line mass separation. For the first time, a T =3/2 isobaric analogue state, at 7801(2) keV, was observed to decay by both proton and gamma emission, with a proton branching of 0.17(8)%. The deduced resonance strength ωγ =2.2(10) meV is in agreement with upper limits reported from 22 Na(p, γ ) reaction studies. Shell-model calculations are incorporated.

Development of a New Clusterization Method for the GEM-TPC Detector

The Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research FAIR, in Darmstadt Germany, will be one of the largest accelerator laboratories worldwide. The Superconducting FRagment Separator (Super-FRS)* is one of its main components. The Super-FRS can produce, separate and deliver high-energy radioactive beams with intensities up to 1e11 ions/s, covering projectiles from protons up to uranium and it can be used as an independent experimental device. The Gas Electron Multiplier-based Time Projection Chambers (GEM-TPC) in twin configuration is a newly developed beam tracking detector capable of providing spatial resolution of less than 1 mm with a tracking efficiency close to 100% at 1 MHz counting rate. Th…

Transport of ions in ion guides under flow and diffusion

Abstract A model for ion transport simulations in the ion guide stopping chamber is introduced. Computed transport time distributions are compared to the experimental data obtained in on- and off-line conditions. It is shown that millisecond transport times are feasible and that diffusion of ions is an important mechanism in transport.

Ion traps in nuclear physics : recent results and achievements

Ion traps offer a way to determine nuclear binding energies through atomic mass measurements with a high accuracy and they are routinely used to provide isotopically or even isomerically pure beams of short-living ions for post-trap decay spectroscopy experiments. In this review, different ion-trapping techniques and progresses in recent nuclear physics experiments employing low-energy ion traps are discussed. The main focus in this review is on the benefit of recent high accuracy mass measurements to solve some key problems in physics related to nuclear structure, nuclear astrophysics as well as neutrinos. Also, several cases of decay spectroscopy experiments utilizing trap-purified ion sa…

Precision mass measurements of neutron-rich yttrium and niobium isotopes

Abstract The atomic masses of neutron-rich 95–101 Y and 101–107 Nb produced in proton-induced fission of uranium were determined using the JYFLTRAP double Penning trap setup. Accuracies of better than 10 keV could be reached for most nuclides. The masses of 106,107 Nb were measured for the first time. The energies of the isomeric states in 96 Y and 100 Y were measured as 1541(10) keV and 145(15) keV. The niobium isotopes appear to be systematically less bound than the values given in the latest Atomic Mass Evaluation. The new data lie in a region of the nuclear chart characterised by the transition from spherical to strongly deformed shapes. These structural changes are explored by studying…

On-Line Ion Cooling and Bunching for Collinear Laser Spectroscopy

A new method has been developed for increasing the sensitivity of collinear laser spectroscopy. The method utilizes an ion-trapping technique in which a continuous low-energy ion beam is cooled and accumulated in a linear Paul trap and subsequently released as a short ( $10--20\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$) bunch. In collinear laser measurements the signal-to-noise ratio has been improved by a factor of $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$, allowing spectroscopic measurements to be made with ion-beam fluxes of $\ensuremath{\sim}50\mathrm{ions}{\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The bunching method has been demonstrated in an on-line isotope shift and hyperfine structure measurement on r…

Level structure of 99Nb

The β decay of 97Sr to 97Y has been investigated using ion-guide on-line mass separation and a 10 Ge-detector array to record γ−γ coincidences to a detection limit well below that of former studies. Similarities are found in the β-decay patterns of 99Zr and of its isotone 97Sr and also in the γ-ray decay rates and branchings of the corresponding levels in their respective daughters 99Nb and 97Y. This indicates a persisting influence of the d5/2 neutron shell closure for 99Nb. The level structure of 99Nb and the β-feeding pattern are discussed in the frame of the interacting boson-fermion plus broken pair model and the microscopic quasiparticle phonon model.

Trap-assisted studies of odd, neutron-rich isotopes from Tc to Pd

We review the present and future of trap-assisted structure studies of odd, neutron-rich Tc, Ru, Rh and Pd isotopes at the limits of present experimental techniques. These nuclei of refractory elements are produced in light-particle induced fission and filtered by their mass number with the IGISOL mass separator. Further mass separation with the JYFLTRAP Penning trap system provides a clean, monoisotopic beam perfectly suited for precise nuclear spectroscopy. Connecting the IGISOL and the JYFLTRAP facilities to the recently installed MCC30/15 cyclotron opens new prospects for post-trap spectroscopy of very exotic, neutron-rich nuclei. peerReviewed

Charged kaon femtoscopic correlations inppcollisions ats=7  TeV

Correlations of two charged identical kaons (KchKch) are measured in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV by the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). One-dimensional (KKch)-K-ch correlation functions are constructed in three multiplicity and four transverse momentum ranges. The (KKch)-K-ch femtoscopic source parameters R and lambda are extracted. The (KKch)-K-ch correlations show a slight increase of femtoscopic radii with increasing multiplicity and a slight decrease of radii with increasing transverse momentum. These trends are similar to the ones observed for pi pi and K-s(0) K-s(0) correlations in pp and heavy-ion collisions. However at high multiplicities, there is an indica…

Shape coexistence near the double-midshell nucleus 111Rh

The decay of 111Ru obtained from fast on-line chemical and mass separation has been investigated by β-γ-t and γ-γ coincidence techniques. Earlier spin and parity assignments of 111Rh levels based on extrapolations of level systematics are confirmed. In particular, the K=1/2 intruder band is supported by the hindrance of E2 transitions between deformed and spherical states and enhancement of intraband E2 transitions. The excitation energies of intruder band members in Rh isotopes show a minimum at 109Rh64, with two neutrons less than 111Rh at the N=66 midshell. This trend, which differs from the one in the higher-Z neighbouring elements Ag and Cd with minima at N=66, follows the evolution of…

Penning-trap-assisted study of 115Ru beta decay

The beta decay of 115Ru has been studied by means of Penning-trap-assisted beta and gamma spectroscopy at the IGISOL facility. The level scheme of 115Rh has been substantially extended and compared with the level systematics of lighter rhodium isotopes. Tentative candidates for three states of the deformed K = 1/2 band have been suggested. The beta-strength distribution of the beta decay of 115Ru differs from the beta decays of 111, 113, 113mRu isotopes due to non-observation of the 3-quasiparticle states in 115Rh. The decay properties of 115Ru indicate a spin-parity of (3/2+ for its beta-decaying ground state. In addition, possible Nilsson states as well as the shape and spin transitions i…

Beta-decay of light nuclei close to the proton drip-line: 40Ti and 35Ca

The s-decay of40Ti and35Ca have been studied at the LISE3 spectrometer at GANIL. The decay schemes were deduced from the observed s-delayed proton and γ emission of40Ti and35Ca into the ground and first excited states of39Ca and34Ar, respectively. The Gamow-Teller strength functionB(GT) of the40Ti s-decay extracted from the s-decay branching ratios and the precisely measured40Ti half-life, provides for the first time an experimental calibration of the neutrino detection efficiency for the ICARUS solar neutrino detector.

Mass Measurements for the rp Process

One of the key parameters for the reaction network calculations for the rapid proton capture (rp) process, occurring e.g., in type I X-ray bursts, are the masses of the involved nuclei. Nowadays, masses of even rather exotic nuclei can be measured very precisely employing Penning-trap mass spectrometry. With the JYFLTRAP Penning trap at the IGISOL facility, masses of around 100 neutron-deficient nuclei have been determined with a typical precision of a few keV. Most recently, 25Al, 30P, 31Cl, and 52Co have been measured. Of these, the precision of the mass-excess value of 31Cl was improved from 50 to 3.4 keV, and the mass of 52Co was experimentally determined for the first time. The mass of…

Total Absorption Study of Beta Decays Relevant for Nuclear Applications and Nuclear Structure

Abstract An overview is given of our activities related to the study of the beta decay of neutron rich nuclei relevant for nuclear applications. Recent results of the study of the beta decay of 87,88 Br using a new segmented total absorption spectrometer are presented. The measurements were performed at the IGISOL facility using trap-assisted total absorption spectroscopy.

Electron capture on 116In and implications for nuclear structure related to double-\beta decay

The electron capture decay branch of 116In has been measured to be [2.46 ± 0.44(stat.) ± 0.39(syst.)] × 10−4 using Penning trap-assisted decay spectroscopy. The corresponding Gamow-Teller transition strength is shown to be compatible with the most recent value extracted from the (p, n) charge-exchange reaction, providing a resolution to longstanding discrepancies. This transition can now be used as a reliable benchmark for nuclearstructure calculations of the matrix element for the neutrinoless double-β decay of 116Cd and other nuclides. peerReviewed

Ds+ meson production at central rapidity in proton–proton collisions at s=7 TeV

The pt-differential inclusive production cross section of the prompt charm-strange meson D_s in the rapidity range |y| phi pi, with phi -> KK, and its charge conjugate, about 480 D_s mesons were counted, after selection cuts, in the transverse momentum range 2

β-decay half-life of70Kr: A bridge nuclide for therpprocess beyondA=70

The -decay half-life of 70 Kr has been measured for the first time at the ISOLDE PSB Facility at CERN. Mass separated 70 Kr ions were produced by 1 GeV proton induced spallation reactions in a Nb foil. The measured half-life is 57(21) ms. This value is consistent with the half-life calculated assuming a pure Fermi decay, but is clearly lower than the value used in a recent rp-process reaction flow calculation. The result shows that the reaction flow via two-proton-capture of 68 Se is 2.5 times faster than previously calculated assuming an astrophysical temperature of 1.5 GK and a density of 10 6 g/cm 3 .

Charged-Particle Multiplicity Density at Midrapidity in Central Pb-Pb Collisions atsNN=2.76  TeV

The first measurement of the charged-particle multiplicity density at midrapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV is presented. For an event sample corresponding to the most central 5% of the hadronic cross section, the pseudorapidity density of primary charged particles at midrapidity is 1584 +/- 4(stat) +/- 76(syst), which corresponds to 8.3 +/- 0.4(syst) per participating nucleon pair. This represents an increase of about a factor 1.9 relative to pp collisions at similar collision energies, and about a factor 2.2 to central Au-Au collisions at root s(NN) = 0.2 TeV. This measurement provides the first experimental constraint for models…

Laser spectroscopy of cooled zirconium fission fragments

The first on-line laser spectroscopy of cooled fission fragments is reported. The $^{\mathrm{96}\mathrm{--}\mathrm{102}}\mathrm{Z}\mathrm{r}$ ions, produced in uranium fission, were extracted and separated using an ion guide isotope separator. The ions were cooled and bunched for collinear laser spectroscopy by a gas-filled linear Paul trap. New results for nuclear mean-square charge radii, dipole, and quadrupole moments are reported across the $N=60$ shape change. The mean-square charge radii are found to be almost identical to those of the Sr isotones and previously offered modeling of the radial changes is critically reviewed.

Proton dripline studies at ISOLDE: 31Ar and 9C

In this contribution examples of the application of new technologies to disentangle the mechanism of beta-delayed multiparticle emission are given. In particular the mechanism of β-delayed two-proton emission from 31Ar has be resolved and proved to be sequential, a preview of 9C-decay data is discussed. peerReviewed

βdecay of neutron-rich118Agand120Agisotopes

$\ensuremath{\beta}$ decays of on-line mass-separated neutron-rich ${}^{118}\mathrm{Ag}$ and ${}^{120}\mathrm{Ag}$ isotopes have been studied by using $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence spectroscopy. Extended decay schemes to the ${}^{118,120}\mathrm{Cd}$ daughter nuclei have been constructed. The three-phonon quintuplet in ${}^{118}\mathrm{Cd}$ is completed by including a new level at 2023.0 keV, which is tentatively assigned the spin and parity of ${2}_{4}^{+}.$ The intruder band in ${}^{118}\mathrm{Cd}$ is proposed up to the ${4}^{+}$ level at 2322.4 keV. The measured $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay half…

Laser spectroscopy of radioactive Ti, Zr and Hf isotopes and isomers at the JYFL laser-IGISOL facility

Abstract The recent progress at the laser-ion guide isotope separator on-line facility, JYFL, is presented. At the facility new techniques for studying short-lived radioisotopes by laser spectroscopy have been developed and applied to the study of isotopes in refractory metal elements. In particular, recent results on the spectroscopy of cooled ion beams of radioactive Ti, Zr and Hf isotopes are discussed.

Mass Measurements and Implications for the Energy of the High-Spin Isomer inAg94

Nuclides in the vicinity of {sup 94}Ag have been studied with the Penning trap mass spectrometer JYFLTRAP at the Ion-Guide Isotope Separator On-Line. The masses of the two-proton-decay daughter {sup 92}Rh and the beta-decay daughter {sup 94}Pd of the high-spin isomer in {sup 94}Ag have been measured, and the masses of {sup 93}Pd and {sup 94}Ag have been deduced. When combined with the data from the one-proton- or two-proton-decay experiments, the results lead to contradictory mass excess values for the high-spin isomer in {sup 94}Ag, -46 370(170) or -44 970(100) keV, corresponding to excitation energies of 6960(400) or 8360(370) keV, respectively.

Isomers of astrophysical interest in neutron-deficient nuclei at masses A = 81, 85 and 86

Decay properties of neutron-deficient exotic nuclei close to A=80 have been investigated at the IGISOL facility. The studied nuclei, 81Y, 81Sr, 81mKr, 85Nb, 85Zr, 86Mo and 86Nb, were produced by a 32S beam from the Jyväskylä isochronous cyclotron on 54Fe and natNi targets. The internal conversion coefficient for a 190.5 keV isomeric transition in 81mKr has been measured and the internal transition rate has been determined. The internal transition rate has been used to estimate a neutrino capture rate on 81Br, which yields a log ft of 5.13±0.09 for the reaction 81Br( ν, e-)81mKr. A new isomer with a half-life of 3.3±0.9 s has been observed in 85Nb. The existence of an earlier reported isomer…

Excited states inPd115populated in theβ−decay ofRh115

Excited states in $^{115}\mathrm{Pd}$, populated following the ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ decay of $^{115}\mathrm{Rh}$ have been studied by means of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ spectroscopy after the Penning-trap station at the IGISOL facility, University of Jyv\"askyl\"a. The $1$$/$$2$${}^{+}$ spin and parity assignment of the ground state of $^{115}\mathrm{Pd}$, confirmed in this work, may indicate a transition to an oblate shape in Pd isotopes at high neutron number.

Fine structure in the beta-delayed proton decay of 33Ar

9 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables.-- PACS nrs.: 21.60.Cs; 23.40.−s; 27.30.+t; 29.30.Ep.

Alpha decay of the new isotopes207, 208Ac

Two new neutron-deficient isotopes207,208Ac have been produced in fusion reactions with 5.2–5.6 MeV/nucleon40Ar ions on175Lu and identified on the basis of genetic correlations. The fusion evaporation products were separated on-line using a gas-filled magnetic recoil separator. The alpha energy and half-life of208Ac were determined to be (7572±15) keV and (95 −16 +24 ) ms, respectively. A new alpha line with a half-life of (25 −5 +9 ) ms and an energy of (7758±20) keV is assigned to the decay of an isomeric state in208Ac. Another new activity with a half-life of (22 −9 +40 ) ms and an alpha energy of (7712±25) keV is assigned to207Ac.

The β2p decay mechanism of Ar

We have measured the beta-decay of Ar-31 with a high granularity setup sensitive to multiparticle decay branches. Two-proton emission is observed from the isobaric analog state in Cl-31 to the four lowest states in P-29 and furthermore from a large number of states fed in Gamow-Teller transitions. The mechanism of two-proton emission is studied via energy and angular correlations between the two protons. In all cases the mechanism is found to be sequential yielding information about states in S-30 up to 8 MeV excitation energy. Improved data on the beta-delayed one-proton branches together with the two-proton data provide precise information about the beta-strength distribution up to 15 MeV…

Midrapidity Antiproton-to-Proton Ratio inppCollisons ats=0.9and 7 TeV Measured by the ALICE Experiment

The ratio of the yields of antiprotons to protons in pp collisions has been measured by the ALICE experiment at root s = 0.9 and 7 TeV during the initial running periods of the Large Hadron Collider. The measurement covers the transverse momentum interval 0.45 < p(t) < 1.05 GeV/c and rapidity vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.5. The ratio is measured to be R-vertical bar y vertical bar<0.5 = 0.957 +/- 0.006(stat) +/- 0.0014(syst) at 0.9 Tev and R-vertical bar y vertical bar<0.5 = 0.991 +/- 0.005 +/- 0.014(syst) at 7 TeV and it is independent of both rapidity and transverse momentum. The results are consistent with the conventional model of baryon-number transport and set stringent limits on a…

The β-decay approach for studying 12C

6 pags., 3 figs. -- 9th International Conference on Clustering Aspects of Nuclear Structure and Dynamics (CLUSTERS'07) 3–7 September 2007, Stratford upon Avon, UK

Spectroscopy of 34,35Si by beta decay : sd-fp shell gap and single-particle states

The 34,35Al b decays have been studied at the CERN online mass separator ISOLDE by b-g, b-g-g, and b-n-g measurements in order to corroborate the low-level description of 34Si and to obtain the first information on the level structure of the N521 isotope 35Si. Earlier observed g lines in 34Al decay were confirmed and new g transitions following both b decay and b-delayed neutron emission have been established. The first level scheme of 35Si includes three excited states at 910, 974, and 2168 keV. Indication is found for Jp 5(3/2)2 and (3/2)1 for the first two excited states, respectively. Beta-decay half-life of T1/2538.6(4) ms and b-delayed neutron branching value Pn541(13)% were measured …

Shape coexistence in the odd-odd nucleus 98Y : the role of the g9/2 neutron extruder

Excited states in 98Y, populated in neutron-induced fission of 235U and in spontaneous fission of 248Cm and 252Cf, have been studied by means of γ spectroscopy using the Lohengrin fission-fragment separator at ILL Grenoble and the EXILL, Eurogam2, and Gammasphere Ge arrays. Two new isomers have been found in 98Y: a deformed one with T1/2 = 180(7) ns and a rotational band on top of it, and a spherical one with T1/2 = 0.45(15)μs, analogous to the 8+ isomer in 96Y, corresponding to the (νg7/2,πg9/2)8+ spherical configuration. Using the JYFLTRAP Penning trap, an accurate excitation energy of 465.7(7) keV has been determined for the 2.36-s isomer in 98Y. This result and the studies of excited le…

Elliptic Flow of Charged Particles in Pb-Pb Collisions atsNN=2.76  TeV

We report the first measurement of charged particle elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN) p = 2.76 TeV with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The measurement is performed in the central pseudorapidity region (vertical bar eta vertical bar < 0.8) and transverse momentum range 0.2 < p(t) < 5.0 GeV/c. The elliptic flow signal v(2), measured using the 4-particle correlation method, averaged over transverse momentum and pseudorapidity is 0.087 +/- 0.002(stat) +/- 0.003(syst) in the 40%-50% centrality class. The differential elliptic flow v(2)(p(t)) reaches a maximum of 0.2 near p(t) = 3 GeV/c. Compared to RHIC Au-Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV, the elliptic f…

Status of REX-ISOLDE

REX-ISOLDE [1] is a post-accelerator situated at the ISOLDE radioactive ion beam facility placed at CERN, Geneva. It’s main aim is to increase the energy of light (A < 50) radioactive ions from 60 keV to 0.8–2.2MeV/u. REX—ISOLDE uses a new concept of post-acceleration of radioactive ion beams by using charge breeding of the ions in a high charge state ion source and the efficient acceleration of the highly charged ions in a short LINAC using modern ion accelerator structures. In a first step the radioactive ions are captured in a large gas-filled Penning trap. The task is to accumulate, cool and bunch the beam and prepare it for the injection into an electron beam ion source (EBIS). Cooling…

Reactor Decay Heat inPu239: Solving theγDiscrepancy in the 4–3000-s Cooling Period

The {beta} feeding probability of {sup 102,104,105,106,107}Tc, {sup 105}Mo, and {sup 101}Nb nuclei, which are important contributors to the decay heat in nuclear reactors, has been measured using the total absorption technique. We have coupled for the first time a total absorption spectrometer to a Penning trap in order to obtain sources of very high isobaric purity. Our results solve a significant part of a long-standing discrepancy in the {gamma} component of the decay heat for {sup 239}Pu in the 4-3000 s range.

Odd couple decays

The decay of proton-rich nuclei by the emission of a single proton has been known about for some time, and is well understood. The latest observation of two-proton emission, however, will provoke some head-scratching.

High-accuracy mass spectrometry of fission products with Penning traps

Mass measurements of fission products based on Penning-trap technique are reviewed in this article. More than 300 fission products have been measured with JYFLTRAP, ISOLTRAP, CPT, LEBIT and TITAN Penning traps with a typical precision of δm/m ≈ 10−7 − 10−8. In general, the results agree well with each other. The new data provide a valuable source of information and a challenge for the future development of theoretical mass models as well as for obtaining a deeper insight into microscopic properties of atomic nuclei as measured, for example, via key mass differentials. Shape transitions around N = 60, subshell closure at N = 40 and shell closures at N = 50 and N = 82 have been investigated i…

New Beta-delayed Neutron Measurements in the Light-mass Fission Group

A new accurate determination of beta-delayed neutron emission probabilities from nuclei in the low mass region of the light fission group has been performed. The measurements were carried out using the BELEN 4π neutron counter at the IGISOL-JYFL mass separator in combination with a Penning trap. The new results significantly improve the uncertainties of neutron emission probabilities for {sup 91}Br, {sup 86}As, {sup 85}As, and {sup 85}Ge nuclei.

Decay study ofTc114with a Penning trap

The level structure of $^{114}\mathrm{Ru}$ has been investigated via the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay of very neutron-rich $^{114}\mathrm{Tc}$ by means of Penning-trap-assisted $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ spectroscopy. The deduced $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay scheme suggests the existence of two $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decaying states in $^{114}\mathrm{Tc}$ with ${I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={1}^{+}$ and $I\ensuremath{\geqslant}$ 4, with half-lives of ${t}_{1/2}({1}^{+})=90(20)$ ms and ${t}_{1/2}(I\ensuremath{\geqslant}4)=100(20)$ ms, respectively. The ${Q}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ value, which covers a possible mixture of two states, has been determined to be ${Q}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}=11 785(12)$ keV. The level…

Determination of the spin of 31Ar

Abstract The beta-delayed proton emission from the lightest Ar-isotopes has been recorded with a high-granularity, large solid-angle Si-detector set-up. Proton energy shifts due to beta-recoil have been measured. We demonstrate how this allows the spin of 31 Ar to be determined as 5/2. The method can be applied at decay rates as low as 1 s −1 .

Submillisecond On-Line Mass Separation of Nonvolatile Radioactive Elements: An Application of Charge Exchange and Thermalization Processes of Primary Recoil Ions in Helium

Transportation of thermalized primary recoil ions from nuclear reactions by helium flow has been investigated as a means of injecting short-lived radioactive nuclides into an on-line isotope separator. Several short-lived radioactive isotopes of highly nonvolatile elements such as B, Sc, Nb, and W have been separated. The efficiency for heavy nuclides with half-lives above 1 ms is between 1 and 10%. The shortest-lived activity identified in an on-line separation is the 182-\ensuremath{\mu}s isomeric state in $^{207}\mathrm{Bi}$.

The ISOLDE Silicon Ball

The development of new spectroscopy devices with the capability of detecting charged particles and precisely determining their energy, angular distribution and nature has become one of the requirements for the investigation of weakly bound nuclei close to the particle driplines. With this aim the ISOLDE Silicon Ball is under construction. It is a charged particle spectroscopy device allowing for the investigation of the exotic nuclei produced at ISOLDE and at other similar facilities. Very high geometrical efficiency and broad energy range coverage are required. In order to allow for particle identification the simultaneous use of the Time of Flight and Pulse Shape Discrimination techniques…

QValues of the SuperallowedβEmittersAlm26,Sc42, andV46and Their Impact onVudand the Unitarity of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa Matrix

The $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay ${Q}_{\mathrm{EC}}$ values of the superallowed beta emitters $^{26}\mathrm{Al}^{m}$, $^{42}\mathrm{Sc}$, and $^{46}\mathrm{V}$ have been measured with a Penning trap to a relative precision of better than $8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}9}$. Our result for $^{46}\mathrm{V}$, 7052.72(31) keV, confirms a recent measurement that differed from the previously accepted reaction-based ${Q}_{\mathrm{EC}}$ value. However, our results for $^{26}\mathrm{Al}^{m}$ and $^{42}\mathrm{Sc}$, 4232.83(13) keV and 6426.13(21) keV, are consistent with previous reaction-based values. By eliminating the possibility of a systematic difference between the two t…

New transitions in the $\beta$-decay of $^{36}$Ca

The β-decay of the Tz = - 2 nucleus 36Ca was studied at the LISE3 magnetic spectrometer at GANIL. Two new proton-emitting states have been detected and the other nine known βp and βγ transitions have been remeasured with improved resolution. A simulation with the GEANT code has been applied to this experimental setup. A comparison with shell model calculations is given.

Quenching of the SnSbTe Cycle in the rp-Process

On the decrease in charge radii of multi-quasi particle isomers

Abstract We report changes in mean-square charge radii, δ 〈 r 2 〉 , magnetic moments and quadrupole moments for three multi-quasi particle isomers; 97m2Y, 176mYb and 178m1Hf. All the isomers are observed to display a decrease in 〈 r 2 〉 compared to the lower-lying nuclear state on which the isomer is built. The decreases in 〈 r 2 〉 occur despite the isomers showing increases in quadrupole moment. Possible mechanisms for the effect, which is now seen for six multi-quasi particle isomers, are discussed.

Study of excited states of [sup 31]S through beta-decay of [sup 31]Cl for nucleosynthesis in ONe novae

We have produced an intense and pure beam of 31Cl with the MARS Separator at the Texas A&M University and studied β‐decay of 31Cl by implanting the beam into a novel detector setup, capable of measuring β‐delayed protons and γ‐rays simultaneously. From our data, we have established decay scheme of 31Cl, found resonance energies with 1 keV precision, have measured its half‐life with under 1% accuracy, found its Isobar Analog State decay and by using the IMME obtained an improved mass excess for its ground state. In this contribution, a description of the used method along with selected preliminary experimental results are given and their relevance for novae nucleosynthesis discussed.

Electron-transporter spectrometer for on-line isotope separator

Abstract ELLJ — a conversion-electron and beta-ray spectrometer for an on-line isotope separator - is described. The instrument is a broad-range, high-transmission device consisting of a two-coil magnetic transporter plus a cooled Si(Li) detector. The spectrometer was designed to perform several kinds of coincidence measurements. A number of representative spectra of fission-product activities separated on-line at the IGISOL facility demonstrate the performance of the spectrometer.

New interpretation of shape coexistence in99Zr

Levels in ${}^{99}\mathrm{Zr}$ populated by $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay of on-line mass separated ${}^{99}$Y have been studied by $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectroscopic methods, including $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-$\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidences recorded with an array of ten Ge detectors and level-lifetime measurements. The formerly reported strongly collective character of the 53-keV transition turns out to be questionable. This implies a revision of the experimental evidence for shape coexistence in ${}^{99}\mathrm{Zr}.$ Transition rates and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray branching ratios make a new level at 679 keV with ${t}_{1/2}=9$ ns another candidate for a deformed state.

A hot cavity laser ion source at IGISOL

A development program is underway at the IGISOL (Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line) facility, University of Jyvaskyla, to efficiently and selectively produce low-energy radioactive ion beams of silver isotopes and isomers, with a particular interest in N=Z 94Ag. A hot cavity ion source has been installed, based on the FEBIAD (Forced Electron Beam Induced Arc Discharge) technique, combined with a titanium:sapphire laser system for selective laser ionization. The silver recoils produced via the heavy-ion fusion-evaporation reaction, 40Ca(58Ni, p3n)94Ag, are stopped in a graphite catcher, diffused, extracted and subsequently ionized using a three-step laser ionization scheme. The performance…

Neutron emission from electromagnetic dissociation of Pb nuclei at $\sqrt {s_{NN}} = 2.76$ TeV measured with the ALICE ZDC

The ALICE Zero Degree Calorimeter system (ZDC) is composed of two identical sets of calorimeters, placed at opposite sides with respect to the interaction point, 114 meters away from it, complemented by two small forward electromagnetic calorimeters (ZEM). Each set of detectors consists of a neutron (ZN) and a proton (ZP) ZDC. They are placed at zero degrees with respect to the LHC axis and allow to detect particles emitted close to beam direction, in particular neutrons and protons emerging from hadronic heavy-ion collisions (spectator nucleons) and those emitted from electromagnetic processes. For neutrons emitted by these two processes, the ZN calorimeters have nearly 100% acceptance. Du…

First observation of the beta decay of117Pd and the discovery of a new isotope119Pd

In this paper we wish to report the first direct observations of the beta decays of117Pd and of a new isotope119Pd. The measuredβ-half-life is 4.3±0.3 s for117Pd. For119Pd, the existence of two beta-decaying states with the same half-life but of opposite parity cannot be excluded. The measured half-life for119Pd is 0.92±0.13 s. The observed beta half-lifes are in good agreement with the QRPA predictions. The observed level structure of117Ag and119Ag are discussed in the frame of the level systematics of the known odd Ag isotopes closer to stability.

Character of an 8− isomer of 130Ba

Abstract The static moments and isomer shift of the J π = K π =8 − isomeric state in 130 56 Ba have been measured using the technique of collinear laser spectroscopy. The isomer has been found to have a magnetic dipole moment of −0.043(28) μ N and a static quadrupole moment of +2.77(30) b. These values have been used to assign the state as a two neutron 7 2 + [404]⊗ 9 2 − [514] configuration corresponding to a prolate shape. The half-life of the isomer has been confirmed as 9.54(14) ms. The change in the mean square charge radius was found to be 〈 r 2 〉 130m −〈 r 2 〉 130g–s =−0.0473(30) fm 2 .

Total Absorption Spectroscopy of Fission Fragments Relevant for Reactor Antineutrino Spectra Determination

8 pags., 3 figs., 1 tab. ; Presented at the XXXIV Mazurian Lakes Conference on Physics, Piaski, Poland, September 6–13, 2015.

Investigation of the reaction 64Ni+238U being an option of synthesizing element 120

This study is concerned with the search for entrance channels suitable to synthesize elements with Z > 118. Mass-energy distributions as well as capture cross-sections of fission-like fragments have been measured for the reactions 64Ni + 238U → 302120 and 48Ca + 238U → 286112 at energies near the Coulomb barrier. Compound nucleus fission cross-sections were estimated from the analysis of mass and total kinetic energy distributions. The cross-section drops three orders of magnitude for the formation of the compound nucleus with Z = 120 obtained in the reaction 64Ni + 238U compared to the formation of the compound nucleus with Z = 112 obtained in the reaction 48Ca + 238U at an excitation ener…

Precision Mass Measurements beyondSn132: Anomalous Behavior of Odd-Even Staggering of Binding Energies

Atomic masses of the neutron-rich isotopes $^{121--128}\mathrm{Cd}$, $^{129,131}\mathrm{In}$, $^{130--135}\mathrm{Sn}$, $^{131--136}\mathrm{Sb}$, and $^{132--140}\mathrm{Te}$ have been measured with high precision (10 ppb) using the Penning-trap mass spectrometer JYFLTRAP. Among these, the masses of four $r$-process nuclei $^{135}\mathrm{Sn}$, $^{136}\mathrm{Sb}$, and $^{139,140}\mathrm{Te}$ were measured for the first time. An empirical neutron pairing gap expressed as the odd-even staggering of isotopic masses shows a strong quenching across $N=82$ for Sn, with a $Z$ dependence that is unexplainable by the current theoretical models.

Total absorption γ -ray spectroscopy of the β -delayed neutron emitters Br87 , Br88 , and Rb94

We investigate the decay of 87,88Br and 94Rb using total absorption γ -ray spectroscopy. These important fission products are β-delayed neutron emitters. Our data show considerable βγ intensity, so far unobserved in high-resolution γ -ray spectroscopy, from states at high excitation energy. We also find significant differences with the β intensity that can be deduced from existing measurements of the β spectrum. We evaluate the impact of the present data on reactor decay heat using summation calculations. Although the effect is relatively small it helps to reduce the discrepancy between calculations and integral measurements of the photon component for 235U fission at cooling times in the r…

Development and applications of the IGISOL technique

Abstract The development and present status of the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line technique is presented. Applications to nuclear physics research include decay spectroscopy of proton- and neutron-rich nuclei of refractory elements and studies of their ground-state properties by collinear laser spectroscopy. Future developments, including ion-beam manipulations by linear RFQ and Penning traps, are discussed together with high-energy applications of the IGISOL technique.

$\beta$ - decay of the M$_{T}$=-1 nucleus $^{58}$Zn studied by selective laser ionization

$\beta$ - decay of $^{58}$Zn has been studied for the first time. A new laser ion-source concept has been used to produce mass-separated sources for $\beta$ and $\gamma$ - spectroscopy. The half-life of $^{58}$Zn was determined to be 86(18) ms. Comparisons are made with previous data from charge-exchange reactions. Our Gamow-Teller strength to the 1$^{+}$ state at 1051 keV excitation in $^{58}$Cu agrees well with the value extracted from a recent ($^{3}$He, t) study. Extensive shell-model calculations are presented.

Coulomb Excitation ofCu68,70: First Use of Postaccelerated Isomeric Beams

We report on the first low-energy Coulomb excitation measurements with radioactive Ipi=6- beams of odd-odd nuclei 68,70Cu. The beams were produced at ISOLDE, CERN and were post-accelerated by REX-ISOLDE to 2.83 MeV/nucleon. gamma rays were detected with the MINIBALL spectrometer. The 6- beam was used to study the multiplet of states (3-, 4-, 5-, 6-) arising from the pi2p3/2nu1g9/2 configuration. The 4- state of the multiplet was populated via Coulomb excitation and the B(E2;6--->4-) value was determined in both nuclei. The results obtained illustrate the fragile stability of the Z=28 shell and N=40 subshell closures. A comparison with large-scale shell-model calculations using the 56Ni core…

Half-life and configuration of the 1/2+ intruder state in203Bi

The decay properties of theJπ=1/2+,Eexc=1,098 keV state in203Bi were studied. The state was populated via the204Pb(p, 2n) reaction and the activity was studied with the ion guide isotope separator on-line system IGISOL. The half-life of the 1/2+ state was measured to beT1/2=303 ±5 ms. From this value the partial half-lives of the three depopulating branches 1/2+ →7/2− (E3), 1/2+→5/2− (E3 +M2) and 1/2+→9/2 g.s. − (M4) were deduced. Since all the transitions are configuration forbidden in first order, a detailed study of second-order shell-model configuration mixing could be performed.

The decay of 133mXe.

The decay of (133m)Xe has been re-measured using an electron-transporter spectrometer and a planar HPGe detector. The sample of (133m)Xe was produced by means of proton-induced fission using an ion-guide based on-line mass separator. The deduced K and L+M+... shell conversion coefficients, alpha(Kappa)=6.5(9) and alpha(L+M+...)=2.9(4), agree within the uncertainty limits with the theoretical values and remove the inconsistencies between the previous experimental studies of (133m)Xe.

Beta-delayed neutron spectroscopy by the TOF technique at IGISOL: 95Rb as a test case

Nuclides with a large neutron excess have high Q β values, making it possible to extract the β-strength function (SF) over a large energy range using β-decay spectroscopy. However, because of the low neutron binding energies, neutron emission from excited states will occur and β-delayed neutron spectroscopy is required to determine the SF over the full Q β window.

Clarification of the Three-Body Decay ofC12(12.71 MeV)

Using $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decays of a clean source of $^{12}\mathrm{N}$ produced at the IGISOL facility, we have measured the breakup of the $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ (12.71 MeV) state into three $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles with a segmented particle detector setup. The high quality of the data permits solving the question of the breakup mechanism of the 12.71 MeV state, a longstanding problem in few-body nuclear physics. Among existing models, a modified sequential model fits the data best, but systematic deviations indicate that a three-body description is needed.

High-resolution studies of beta-delayed proton emitters at IGISOL facility

Beta-decays of23Al and41Ti have been studied by applying ion guide techniques, gamma detection and a gas-Si telescope for charged-particle detection. The experimental beta-decay strength of41Ti was found to be quenched by a factor ofq2 = 0.64 compared to our shell model calculations below 8 MeV excitation energy in41Sc. This result is in line with the generally accepted value ofq = 0.77. The isobaric analogue state of the41Ti ground state was measured to contain 10(8)% isospin impurity. This relatively high value could be well reproduced by the shell model calculation in thesdfp space. Gamma-decay of theT = 3/2 isobaric analogue state in23Mg was observed together with its decay by proton em…

New lifetime measurements in 109 Pd and the onset of deformation at N = 60

Several new subnanosecond lifetimes were measured in 109Pd using the fast-timing βγγ (t) method. Fission fragments of the A = 109 mass chain were produced by bombarding natural uranium with 30 MeV protons at the Jyvaskyl ¨ a Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line (IGISOL) facility. Lifetimes were obtained for excited states ¨ in 109Pd populated following β decay of 109Rh. The new lifetimes provide some insight into the evolution of nuclear structure in this mass region. In particular, the distinct structure of the two low-lying 7/2+ states occurring systematically across the Pd isotopic chain is supported by the new lifetime measurements. The available nuclear data indicate a sudden increase i…

Systematic studies of the accuracy of the Penning trap mass spectrometer JYFLTRAP

Abstract Measurements to quantify the mass-dependent systematic effect and the residual uncertainty of the JYFLTRAP setup have been performed with carbon-cluster ions. The primary quantities reported in this work are a mass-dependent uncertainty of σ m ( r ) / r = ( 7.8 ± 0.3 × 10 - 10 / u ) × Δ m and a residual uncertainty of σ res ( r ) / r = 1.2 × 10 - 8 for the JYFLTRAP mass spectrometer. By restricting the mass difference between the reference ion and ion of interest to | m meas - m ref | ≤ 24 , the values for the mass-dependent effect and the corresponding residual uncertainty are σ m , lim ( r ) / r = ( 7.5 ± 0.4 × 10 - 10 / u ) × Δ m and σ res , lim ( r ) / r = 7.9 × 10 - 9 , respec…

Precise branching ratios to unbound 12C states from 12N and 12B β-decays

6 pages, 2 tables, 4 figures.--PACS nrs.: 21.45.-v; 23.40.-s; 27.20.+n; 21.60.De.--Printed version published Aug 3, 2009

r Process (n, γ) Rate Constraints from the γ Emission of Neutron Unbound States in β decay

Total absorption gamma-ray spectroscopy is used to measure accurately the intensity of γγ emission from neutron-unbound states populated in the ββ-decay of delayed-neutron emitters. From the comparison of this intensity with the intensity of neutron emission a constraint on the (n, γγ) cross section for highly unstable neutron-rich nuclei can be deduced. A surprisingly large γγ branching was observed for a number of isotopes which might indicate the need to increase by a large factor the Hauser-Feshbach (n, γγ) cross-section estimates that impact on r process abundance calculations. peerReviewed

Total Absorption Spectroscopy Study ofRb92Decay: A Major Contributor to Reactor Antineutrino Spectrum Shape

The antineutrino spectra measured in recent experiments at reactors are inconsistent with calculations based on the conversion of integral beta spectra recorded at the ILL reactor. (92)Rb makes the dominant contribution to the reactor antineutrino spectrum in the 5-8 MeV range but its decay properties are in question. We have studied (92)Rb decay with total absorption spectroscopy. Previously unobserved beta feeding was seen in the 4.5-5.5 region and the GS to GS feeding was found to be 87.5(25)%. The impact on the reactor antineutrino spectra calculated with the summation method is shown and discussed.

Mass of astrophysically relevantCl31and the breakdown of the isobaric multiplet mass equation

The mass of $^{31}\mathrm{Cl}$ has been measured with the JYFLTRAP double-Penning-trap mass spectrometer at the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line (IGISOL) facility. The determined mass-excess value, $\ensuremath{-}7034.7(34)$ keV, is 15 times more precise than in the Atomic Mass Evaluation 2012. The quadratic form of the isobaric multiplet mass equation for the $T=3/2$ quartet at $A=31$ fails $({\ensuremath{\chi}}_{n}^{2}=11.6)$ and a nonzero cubic term, $d=\ensuremath{-}3.5(11)$ keV, is obtained when the new mass value is adopted. $^{31}\mathrm{Cl}$ has been found to be less proton-bound, with a proton separation energy of ${S}_{p}=264.6(34)$ keV. Energies for the excited states in $^{31…

Recent mass measurements for the r process at JYFLTRAP

Spectroscopy with β2p and β-ν recoil shifts

9 pages, 4 figures.-- Printed version published Apr 22, 2002.

Beta-decay strength and isospin mixing studies in the sd and fp-shells

We have studied beta decays of MT<0 nuclei in sd and fp shells. The decay of 41Ti shows a large, 10(8) %, isospin mixing of IAS and the Gamow-Teller strength is observed to be quenched by a factor of q2=0.64. These results can be reproduced qualitatively in our shell model calculations. We have observed for the first time proton and gamma decay of the isobaric analogue state in 23Mg. Our results on the isospin mixing of the isobaric analogue state agrees well with the shell model calculations. The obtained proton branch of the IAS is used to extract the transition strength for the reaction 22Na(p,γ)23Mg.

Mass Measurements for the rp Process

Status of HIGISOL a new version equipped with SPIG and electric field guidance

A new HIGISOL chamber devoted to the study of short-lived products from heavy-ion-induced fusion-evaporation reactions is proposed. It enables, via the extraction of ions by means of a SPIG (SextuPole rf Ion Guide), to improve the mass resolving power by a factor 2.5 compared to the previous system using a skimmer-ring assembly. The gas cell was also equiped with an electric field for faster transportation of recoiling ions to the nozzle where they are ejected with the gas jet. The first results obtained both with a radioactive α-source and cyclotron beam will be reported.

Isotopic product distributions in the near symmetric mass region in proton induced fission ofU238

We have studied fission product yields using 19.8 MeV proton induced fission of a thin $^{238}\mathrm{U}$ target and the on-line mass separator IGISOL. The nonselectivity of the separation method used with respect to Z has allowed accurate determination of the yields of symmetric fission for the first time. The cumulative yields for the elements from Z=40 (Zr) up to Z=47 (Ag) have been determined from the beta- and gamma-radioactivity measurements. The independent fission product yield distributions for elements Tc, Ru, and Rh are obtained from the experimental data. An improved theoretical model for calculating mass and independent yields is described and applied. It is found that the char…

Pre- and post-scission neutron emission in the reaction180Hf(40Ar, fission) atE lab=216 MeV

Neutron and fission fragment spectra following the180Hf(40Ar,f) reaction atE lab=216MeV were measured. The following neutron total, pre- and post-scission multiplicities were extracted:M tot =7.2±1.3,M pre =2.7±0.9,M post =4.5±0.9. The average temperature parameters of the neutron spectra areT pre=(1.63±0.16) MeV andT post=(1.14±0.26)MeV. The mean total kinetic energy of the fission fragments is TKE=(166±10) MeV and the measured width is σTKE=17.3MeV. The width of the fragment mass distribution is σ A =18.3u. The same reaction was analyzed using a modified statistical code which includes nuclear dissipation effects and particle and γ-ray emission in the equilibrium compound nucleus state an…

Time Characteristics of the Ion Beam Cooler-Buncher at JYFL

A beam cooler for low-energy ion beams was constructed to improve the ion optical properties of radioactive ion beams produced at the IGISOL facility in Jyvaskyla. The beam cooler is a buffer gas filled RF-quadrupole. The delay properties and the possibility to accumulate a continuous IGISOL beam and release it in short bunches is discussed.

Beta-decay properties of the neutron-rich $^{94-99}$Kr and $^{142-147}$Xe isotopes

Beta-decay half-lives and delayed-neutron emission probabilities of the neutron-rich noble-gas isotopes Kr94-99 and Xe142-147 have been measured at the PSB-ISOLDE facility at CERN. The results are compared to QRPA shell-model predictions and are used in dynamic calculations of r-process abundances of Kr and Xe isotopes. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Summation Calculations for Reactor Antineutrino Spectra, Decay Heat and Delayed Neutron Fractions Involving New TAGS Data and Evaluated Databases

9 pags., 3 figs. -- Open Access funded by Creative Commons Atribution Licence 4.0

Collinear laser spectroscopy of radioisotopes of zirconium

Isotope shifts and hyperfine structures have been measured for radioisotopes of ionic zirconium using on-line laser spectroscopy at the IGISOL facility in Jyvaskyla, where the installation of an ion beam cooler/buncher has significantly improved the experimental sensitivity. Measurements have been made on all the neutron-deficient isotopes from 87Zr to 90Zr, including the isomers 87m,89mZr, and the neutron-rich isotopes from 96Zr to 102Zr. The change in mean square charge radii between the isotopes and the nuclear moments of the odd isotopes have been extracted. The data show a sudden increase in the mean square charge radius at mass A = 100, consistent with an onset of nuclear deformation …

Decays of theY97isomers to the single neutron nucleusZr97

The decays of the 9/2(+) and of the three-quasiparticle high spin isomer in Y-97 have been investigated following on-line mass separation with the ion-guide technique. Spins and parities for several of the lowest-lying levels in the daughter nucleus Zr-97 are revised and configurations are proposed. In particular, the 2264 keV level is identified as the h(11/2) single-neutron level. The population of a cascade on top of the h(11/2) level provides evidence for Gamow-Teller beta decay of the high-spin Y-97 isomer. Levels and transition rates are qualitatively well reproduced by regarding Zr-97 as a single-neutron nucleus with respect to the doubly closed Zr-96 core.

Neutral pion and η meson production in proton–proton collisions at s=0.9 TeV and s=7 TeV

The first measurements of the invariant differential cross sections of inclusive pi(0) and eta meson production at mid-rapidity in proton-proton collisions root s = 0.9 TeV and root s = 7 TeV are reported. The pi(0) measurement covers the ranges 0.4 < p(T) < 7 GeV/c and 0.3 < p(T) < 25 GeV/c for these two energies, respectively. The production of eta mesons was measured at root s = 7 TeV in the range 0.4 < p(T) < 15 GeV/c. Next-to-Leading Order perturbative QCD calculations, which are consistent with the pi(0) spectrum at root s = 0.9 TeV, overestimate those of pi(0) and eta mesons at root s = 7 TeV, but agree with the measured eta/pi(0) ratio at root s = 7 TeV. (C) 2012 CERN. Published by …

A sextupole ion beam guide to improve the efficiency and beam quality at IGISOL

The laser ion source project at the IGISOL facility, Jyvaskyla, has motivated the development and construction of an rf sextupole ion beam guide (SPIG) to replace the original skimmer electrode. The SPIG has been tested both off-line and on-line in proton-induced fission, light-ion and heavy-ion induced fusion-evaporation reactions and, in each case, has been directly compared to the skimmer system. For both fission and light-ion induced fusion, the SPIG has improved the mass-separated ion yields by a factor of typically 4 to 8. Correspondingly, the transmission efficiency of both systems has been studied in simulations with and without space charge effects. The transport capacity of the SP…

Properties of the 12C 10 MeV state determined through β-decay

16 pages, 1 table, 10 figures.-- PACS nrs.: 23.40.-s; 26.20.+f; 27.20.+n.-- Printed version published Oct 3, 2005.

Improvements on Decay Heat Summation Calculations by Means of Total Absorption Gamma-ray Spectroscopy Measurements

The decay heat of fission products plays an important role in predictions of the heat released by nuclear fuel in reactors. In this contribution we present results of the analysis of the measurement of the beta decay of some refractory isotopes that were considered possible important contributors to the decay heat in reactors. The measurements presented here were performed at the IGISOL facility of the University of Jyvaeskylae, Finland. In our measurements we have combined for the first time a Penning trap (JYFLTRAP), which was used as a high resolution isobaric separator, with a total absorption spectrometer. The results of the measurements as well as their consequences for decay heat sum…

Nuclear charge radii of neutron deficient titanium isotopes44Ti and45Ti

Optical isotope shifts of the unstable 44,45Ti isotopes, as well as those of stable 46−50Ti, have been investigated by collinear laser spectroscopy on fast ion beams using an ion guide isotope separator with a cooler-buncher. Changes in mean square charge radii across the neutron 1f7/2 shell are deduced. The evolution of the even-N Ti nuclear radii shows a generally increasing tendency with decreasing neutron number. This behaviour is significantly different to that of the neighbouring Ca isotopes which exhibit a symmetric parabolic behaviour across the shell. The trend of the Ti nuclear radii is consistent with the predictions of the relativistic mean-field theory. The charge radius of 44T…

Gamow-Teller decay of 118Pd and of the new isotope 120Pd

Abstract With the use of the proton-induced fission of 238 U and the ion guide-fed on-line mass separation, even- A isotopes of palladium with high neutron excess were studied by means of γ-ray and conversion-electron spectroscopy. The decay of 118 Pd was reinvestigated in detail, and evidence for the new isotope 120 Pd, with a half-life T 1 2 = 0.5 ± 0.1 s , was found. As established for 118 Pd and tentatively shown for 120 Pd, the β-decay of these two isotopes proceeds mainly through 0 + → 1 + Gamow-Teller transitions with log ft values between 4.2 and 4.7. The strength of individual transitions has been compared with the predictions of the shell-correction model with a deformed Woods-Sax…

β-decay ofO13

The beta decay of O-13 has been studied at the IGISOL facility of the Jyvaskyla accelerator centre (Finland). By developing a low-energy isotope-separated beam of O-13 and using a modern segmented charged-particle detector array an improved measurement of the delayed proton spectrum was possible. Protons with energy up to more than 12 MeV are measured and the corresponding log(ft) values extracted. A revised decay scheme is constructed. The connection to molecular states and the shell model is discussed.

Transverse Momentum Distribution and Nuclear Modification Factor of Charged Particles inp+PbCollisions atsNN=5.02  TeV

The transverse momentum (pT) distribution of primary charged particles is measured in minimum bias (non-single-diffractive) p + Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-s = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The pT spectra measured near central rapidity in the range 0.5< p(T) < 20 GeV/c exhibit a weak pseudorapidity dependence. The nuclear modification factor R-pPb is consistent with unity for p(T) above 2 GeV/c. This measurement indicates that the strong suppression of hadron production at high p(T) observed in Pb + Pb collisions at the LHC is not due to an initial-state effect. The measurement is compared to theoretical calculations. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.082302

Production of Sn and Sb isotopes in high-energy neutron induced fission of natU

The first systematic measurement of neutron-induced fission yields has been performed at the upgraded IGISOL-4 facility at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. The fission products from high-energy neutron-induced fission of nat U were stopped in a gas cell filled with helium buffer gas, and were online separated with a dipole magnet. The isobars, with masses in the range A = 128-133 , were transported to a tape-implantation station and identified using γ -spectroscopy. We report here the relative cumulative isotopic yields of tin (Z = 50) and the relative independent isotopic yields of antimony (Z = 51). Isomeric yield ratios were also obtained for five nuclides. The yields of tin show a …

New levels in 118Pd observed in the beta-decay of very neutron-rich 118Rh isotope

We investigate the β decay of very neutron-rich 118Rh isotope using on-line mass-separated sources which are produced by applying 25 MeV proton induced symmetric fission of natural uranium at the IGISOL facility. The β–γ and γ–γ coincidence spectroscopy is employed to establish the level scheme of daughter nucleus 118Pd. Five low-lying new levels are identified for the first time with tentative spin and parity assignments based on the even-mass Pd systematics.

Mass and low-lying levels ofIn106,108from theCd106,108(p,nγ)reactions

106In has been studied via the reaction 106Cd(p,nγ)106In in the energy range Ep=7-9 MeV. Inbeam γ-ray excitation functions, γ-γ coincidence measurements, and β+-delayed γ-ray excitation functions have been used to identify thirteen levels in 106In. From this new level scheme the energy separation of the high-spin ground state and the low-spin isomer has been determined to be 28.6±0.5 keV. The threshold energy of the strongest low-lying γ-ray transition yields a mass excess for 106In of -80601±15 keV. Spins for some states are suggested by comparing the excitation functions to Hauser-Feshbach calculations. In-beam γ-ray excitation functions for the 108Cd(p,nγ)108In reaction give a mass exces…

Masses of neutron-rich Ni and Cu isotopes and the shell closure at Z = 28 , N = 40

The Penning trap mass spectrometer JYFLTRAP, coupled to the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line (IGISOL) facility at Jyvaskyla, was employed to measure the atomic masses of neutron-rich 70-73Ni and 73, 75Cu isotopes with a typical accuracy less than 5keV. The mass of 73Ni was measured for the first time. Comparisons with the previous data are discussed. Two-neutron separation energies show a weak subshell closure at 68 28Ni40 . A well established proton shell gap is observed at Z = 28 .

High-resolution study of the beta decay of 41Ti

Abstract An improved high-resolution study of the beta decay of 41 Ti, produced in the 40 Ca( 3 He, 2n) reaction at 40 MeV, has been performed at the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line (IGISOL) facility. The beta-delayed radiation was detected by a low-energy charged-particle detector and a large Ge detector for gamma rays. The experimental beta-decay strength and its distribution, extracted from delayed-proton data, are compared with results of shell-model calculations in the sdfp space. The lowest J π = 3 2 + , T = 3 2 state in 41 Sc, the isobaric analogue state of the 41 Ti ground state, is estimated to contain 10% isospin impurity.

Fragment mass distribution in superasymmetric region in proton-induced fission of U and Th

Fission fragment mass distributions down to super-asymmetric mass region and both pre- and post-scission neutron multiplicity for238U(p,fission) reaction atEp = 20, 35, 50, 60 MeV and for232Th(p, fission) reaction atEp = 50, 60 MeV were measured using HENDES set-up. The results indicate enhancement for super-asymmetric mass division at intermediate excitation energies.

Coulomb displacement energies as a probe for nucleon pairing in the $f_{7/2}$ shell

Coulomb displacement energies of $T=1/2$ mirror nuclei have been studied via a series of high-precision $Q_\mathrm{EC}$-value measurements with the double Penning trap mass spectrometer JYFLTRAP. Most recently, the $Q_\mathrm{EC}$ values of the $f_{7/2}$-shell mirror nuclei $^{45}$V ($Q_\mathrm{EC}=7123.82(22)$ keV) and $^{49}$Mn ($Q_\mathrm{EC}=7712.42(24)$ keV) have been measured with an unprecedented precision. The data reveal a 16-keV ($1.6\sigma$) offset in the adopted Atomic Mass Evaluation 2012 value of $^{49}$Mn suggesting the need for further measurements to verify the breakdown of the quadratic form of the isobaric multiplet mass equation. Precisely measured $Q_\mathrm{EC}$ values…

Preparing isomerically pure beams of short-lived nuclei at JYFLTRAP

A new procedure to prepare isomerically clean samples of ions with a mass resolving power of more than 100,000 has been developed at the JYFLTRAP tandem Penning trap system. The method utilises a dipolar rf-excitation of the ion motion with separated oscillatory fields in the precision trap. During a subsequent retransfer to the purification trap, the contaminants are rejected and as a consequence, the remaining bunch is isomerically cleaned. This newly-developed method is suitable for very high-resolution cleaning and is at least a factor of five faster than the methods used so far in Penning trap mass spectrometry.

Half-life measurements for neutron-rich Tc, Ru, Rh, and Pd isotopes. Identification of the new isotopesTc111,Ru113, andRh113

The decays of three new neutron-rich nuclides $^{111}\mathrm{Tc}$, $^{113}\mathrm{Ru}$, and $^{113}\mathrm{Rh}$ have been observed at an on-line isotope separator facility. In addition, the beta decays of several other n-rich isotopes with Ag100 have been studied for the first time. The new half-lives reported in this work include: $^{111}\mathrm{Tc}$ [${T}_{1/2}$=0.30(3) s], $^{111}\mathrm{Ru}$ [2.12(7) s], $^{112}\mathrm{Ru}$ [1.75(7) s], $^{113}\mathrm{Ru}$ [0.80(10) s], $^{113}\mathrm{Rh}$ [2.72(22) s], and $^{118}\mathrm{Pd}$ [2.24(17) s]. In general, these results support the microscopic theoretical half-life predictions below Z=50.

Spectroscopic studies of neutron-deficient light nuclei: decay properties of 21Mg, 25Si and 26P

Neutron‐deficient nuclei with Tz equals to −3/2 and −2 have been produced at the GANIL/LISE3 facility in fragmentation reactions of a 95 MeV/u 36Ar primary beam in a 12C target. For the first time, β‐delayed proton and β‐γ emission has been simultaneously observed in the decay of 21Mg, 25Si and 26P. The decay scheme of the latter is proposed and the Gamow‐Teller strength distribution in its β decay is compared to shell‐model calculations based on the USD interaction. The B(GT) values derived from the absolute measurement of the β‐branching ratios are in agreement with the quenching factor of about 60% obtained for allowed Gamow‐Teller transitions in this mass region. A precise half‐life of …

Päijänteellä: Jyväskylän Veneseura ja sen edeltäjät

Tämä kirja kertoo Päijänteen veneilyharrastuksen kehittymisestä aina 1800-luvun lopulta alkaen Jyväskylän Veneseuran ja sen edeltäjäseurojen tarinoiden kautta. Vuonna 1970 perustetun Jyväskylän Veneseuran historiaa ei nimittäin voi ymmärtää huomioimatta Suomen sisävesien ensimmäisen pursiseuran, vuonna 1895 jyväskyläläisten ja lahtelaisten veneilijöiden yhdessä perustaman Päijänteen Purjehdusseuran (PPS) toimintaa. Päijänteen Purjehdusseuraa edelsi Vesijärvi-Päijänteen Purjehdusseura, joka perustettiin jo 1883. Ensimmäinen Päijänteen alueen purjehduskilpailu järjestettiin 1882. Vuonna 2020 tuli siis kuluneeksi 50 vuotta Jyväskylän Veneseuran perustamisesta, 125 vuotta Päijänteen Purjehdusse…

Nuclear moments and charge radii of the171Hf ground state and isomer

The magnetic moment, quadrupole moment and mean-square charge radial changes, relative to 172Hf, have been measured for the 171Hf ground state and the ½-[521] isomeric state, using on-line laser spectroscopy. The magnetic moments of the isomer and ground states are found to be + 0.526(16)µn and -0.674(12)µn, respectively. The spectroscopic quadrupole moment of the ground state is found to be +3.463(27) b. No change in mean-square charge radius is observed between the ground state and isomeric state. The observation of an inversion in the odd-even staggering at 171Hf is consistent with the suggested deformation trends.

Advanced model for the prediction of the neutron-rich fission product yields

The consistent models for the description of the independent fission product formation cross sections in the spontaneous fission and in the neutron and proton induced fission at the energies up to 100 MeV is developed. This model is a combination of new version of the two-component exciton model and a time-dependent statistical model for fusion-fission process with inclusion of dynamical effects for accurate calculations of nucleon composition and excitation energy of the fissioning nucleus at the scission point. For each member of the compound nucleus ensemble at the scission point, the primary fission fragment characteristics: kinetic and excitation energies and their yields are calculate…

Improved ion guide for heavy-ion fusion-evaporation reactions

The ion guide for heavy-ion-induced reactions developed originally for the SARA facility in Grenoble has been implemented at the Jyvaskyla IGISOL facility. For the Cd-116(Ar-40, 6n)Dy-150 reaction an efficiency of 0.5% relative to the number of reaction products entering the stopping chamber was obtained. This is 3.5 times higher than previously obtained at SARA and corresponds to a yield of about 100 ions/(p mu C mb). Mass-separated yields for the Ar-36 + Mo-92 and Ar-36 + Mo-94 reactions were measured. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

First observation of nonyrast levels inZr103and level systematics ofN= 63 Sr, Zr, and Mo isotones

The {beta} decay of the very-neutron-rich nucleus {sup 103}Y has been studied at the isotope separator IGISOL, allowing for the first time the observation of nonyrast levels in its daughter {sub 40}{sup 103}Zr{sub 63}. The level structure is similar to that of its isotones {sup 101}Sr and {sup 105}Mo, suggesting a large ground-state deformation of {beta}{approx_equal} 0.4. Level systematics allows for new level assignments in both {sup 103}Zr and {sup 105}Mo. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

Inclusive J/ψ production in pp collisions at s=2.76 TeV

The ALICE Collaboration has measured inclusive J/psi production in pp collisions at a center of mass energy sqrt(s)=2.76 TeV at the LHC. The results presented in this Letter refer to the rapidity ranges |y|<0.9 and 2.5

Characterization and performance of the DTAS detector

11 pags., 16 figs., 3 tabs.

Performance of the ALICE VZERO system

ALICE is an LHC experiment devoted to the study of strongly interacting matter in proton-proton, proton--nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions at ultra-relativistic energies. The ALICE VZERO system, made of two scintillator arrays at asymmetric positions, one on each side of the interaction point, plays a central role in ALICE. In addition to its core function as a trigger, the VZERO system is used to monitor LHC beam conditions, to reject beam-induced backgrounds and to measure basic physics quantities such as luminosity, particle multiplicity, centrality and event plane direction in nucleus-nucleus collisions. After describing the VZERO system, this publication presents its performance o…

Accurate mass measurements on neutron-deficient krypton isotopes

soumis à Nuclear Physics A; The masses of $^{72-78,80,82,86}$Kr were measured directly with the ISOLTRAP Penning trap mass spectrometer at ISOLDE/CERN. For all these nuclides, the measurements yielded mass uncertainties below 10 keV. The ISOLTRAP mass values for $^{72-75}$Kr outweighed previous results obtained by means of other techniques, and thus completely determine the new values in the Atomic-Mass Evaluation. Besides the interest of these masses for nuclear astrophysics, nuclear structure studies, and Standard Model tests, these results constitute a valuable and accurate input to improve mass models. In this paper, we present the mass measurements and discuss the mass evaluation for t…

New Neutron-Rich Nuclei and Isomers Produced in Symmetric Fisson

The novel method for rapid on-line mass separation, the IGISOL, is described. The method has been shown applicable to mass separation of short-lived proton-induced fission products without any chemical dependence on radionuclide. Recent results on isomeric states with half-lives of the order of milliseconds produced directly in proton-induced fission of 238U and separated with the IGISOL are presented. The future plans for connection of the new K-130 cyclotron of the University of Jyvaskyla with the IGISOL are reviewed.

Beta Decay Studies of Neutron Rich Nuclei Using Total Absorption Gamma-ray Spectroscopy and Delayed Neutron Measurements

International audience; A complete characterisation of the β-decay of neutron-rich nuclei can be obtained from the measurement of β-delayed gamma rays and, whenever the process is energetically possible, β-delayed neutrons. The accurate determination of the β-intensity distribution and the β-delayed neutron emission probability is of great relevance in the fields of reactor technology and nuclear astrophysics. A programme for combined measurements using the total absorption gamma-ray spectroscopy technique and both neutron counters and neutron time-of-flight spectrometers is presented.

Isomeric state of 80Y and its role in the rp-process

The HIGISOL facility has been used to investigate carefully the isomeric transition 228.5 keV in 80Y. We have measured the electron internal conversion coefficient for this transition αK = 0.50 ± 0.07 which gives the value for half-life of “bare” isomeric state T 1/2 = 6.8 ± 0.5 s. The isomeric state should play an important role in the rp-process calculations.

β-decay of 113Rh and the observation of 113mPd : Isomer systematics in odd-A palladium isotopes

Abstract Decay of 113Rh to the levels of 113Pd was studied at the IGISOL-facility by means of β-, γ- and conversion-electron spectroscopy. The level scheme of 113Pd was constructed using 33 gamma transitions on the basis of observed γγ-coincidence relations and half-life analysis. A β-decay half-life of (2.80±0.12) s was measured for 113Rh. A new 9 − 2 isomeric state with (0.3 ± 0.1) s half-life and excitation energy 81.3 keV was discovered in 113Pd. This state and the other recently observed low-lying 9 − 2 or 11 − 2 isomeric states in 115,117Pd isotopes are directly populated in proton-induced fission. The decay of these isomers is unusually strongly hindered compared with Weisskopf estim…

Decay spectroscopy for nuclear astrophysics: β- and β-delayed proton decay

In several radiative proton capture reactions important in novae and XRBs, the resonant parts play the capital role. We use decay spectroscopy techniques to find these resonances and study their properties. We have developed techniques to measure beta- and beta-delayed proton decay of sd-shell, proton-rich nuclei produced and separated with the MARS recoil spectrometer of Texas A&M University. The short-lived radioactive species are produced in-flight, separated, then slowed down (from about 40 MeV/u) and implanted in the middle of very thin Si detectors. This allows us to measure protons with energies as low as 200 keV from nuclei with lifetimes of 100 ms or less. At the same time we measu…

Measurement of the Cross Section for Electromagnetic Dissociation with Neutron Emission in Pb-Pb Collisions atsNN=2.76  TeV

The first measurement of neutron emission in electromagnetic dissociation of Pb-208 nuclei at the LHC is presented. The measurement is performed using the neutron zero degree calorimeters of the ALICE experiment, which detect neutral particles close to beam rapidity. The measured cross sections of single and mutual electromagnetic dissociation of Pb nuclei at root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV with neutron emission are sigma(singleEMD) = 187.4 +/- 0.2(stat)(-11.2)(+13.2) (syst) b and sigma(mutualEMD) = 5. 7 +/- 0.1(stat) +/- 0.4(syst) b, respectively. The experimental results are compared to the predictions from a relativistic electromagnetic dissociation model. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.252302

Nuclear charge radii and electromagnetic moments of radioactive scandium isotopes and isomers

International audience; Collinear laser spectroscopy experiments with the Sc + transition 3d4s 3 D 2 → 3d4p 3 F 3 at λ = 363.1 nm were performed on the 42−46 Sc isotopic chain using an ion guide isotope separator with a cooler-buncher. Nuclear magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments as well as isotope shifts were determined from the hyperfine structure for five ground states and two isomers. Extensive multi-configurational Dirac-Fock calculations were performed in order to evaluate the specific mass-shift, M SMS, and field-shift, F, parameters which allowed evaluation of the charge radii trend of the Sc isotopic sequence. The charge radii obtained show systematics more like the Ti r…

Research on exotic nuclei-experiments at the limits of the nuclear landscape

Experimental progress in studies of exotic nuclei and decay modes near the proton drip line and near the boundary of known neutron-rich nuclei is reviewed with emphasis on recent developments in detector systems and separation techniques.

Two-proton decay of the isobaric analogue state of Ar-31

8 pages, 1 table, 4 figures.-- Journal issue title: "Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions".

Cooling and bunching of ion beams for collinear laser spectroscopy

A greatly increased sensitivity in collinear laser spectroscopy experiments has been achieved by the application of new on-line ion cooling and bunching techniques. Cooling of a low-energy ion beam to low emittance and low velocity spread is shown to increase the peak efficiency while bunching the beam results in highly efficient background suppression.

First measurement of radioisotopes by collinear laser spectroscopy at an ion-guide separator

The first successful application of an ion-guide separator (IGISOL) for collinear laser spectroscopy of radioisotopes has achieved an efficiency comparable with the best obtained with catcher-ionizer facilities. The ion beam energy spread was determined to be less than 6 eV, allowing laser fluorescence resonance signals for the Ba-140,Ba-142,Ba-144 radioisotopes to be detected with high resolution and sensitivity. Applications of this technique to measuring nuclear properties of refractory elements and short lived isomers promises to be particularly advantageous.

Enhancedγ-Ray Emission from Neutron Unbound States Populated inβDecay

Total absorption spectroscopy is used to investigate the β-decay intensity to states above the neutron separation energy followed by γ-ray emission in (87,88)Br and (94)Rb. Accurate results are obtained thanks to a careful control of systematic errors. An unexpectedly large γ intensity is observed in all three cases extending well beyond the excitation energy region where neutron penetration is hindered by low neutron energy. The γ branching as a function of excitation energy is compared to Hauser-Feshbach model calculations. For (87)Br and (88)Br the γ branching reaches 57% and 20%, respectively, and could be explained as a nuclear structure effect. Some of the states populated in the daug…

Gamow-Teller decay of118Pd and of neighbouring even isotopes of palladium

Neutron-rich isotopes of palladium were produced via the fission of238U by 20 MeV protons. These isotopes were selected using the ion guide-fed on-line mass-separator facility IGISOL at Jyvaskyla. Their decays were studied byβ-ray,γ-ray and conversion-electron spectroscopy. For114Pd and116Pd, the decay schemes established previously were confirmed; additionally multipolarities were determined for a few transitions. In the case of118Pd, only an approximate half-life was known from a previous radiochemical experiment. In the present study, 15 gamma transitions were observed, most of which were placed in a decay scheme. The half-life and the decay energy were found to beT1/2=1.9±0.1 s andQβ=4.…

Penning trap for isobaric mass separation at IGISOL

Abstract A cylindrical Penning trap has been built at the ion guide isotope separator facility IGISOL of the University of Jyvaskyla. The main goal of the Penning trap application is to purify low-energy radioactive ion beams. The aim is to make isobarically pure beams. The technical description is presented.

First Precision Mass Measurements of Refractory Fission Fragments

Atomic masses of 95-100Sr, 98-105Zr, and [corrected] 102-110Mo and have been measured with a precision of 10 keV employing a Penning trap setup at the IGISOL facility. Masses of 104,105Zr and 109,110Mo are measured for the first time. Our improved results indicate significant deviations from the previously published values deduced from beta end point measurements. The most neutron-rich studied isotopes are found to be significantly less bound (1 MeV) compared to the 2003 atomic mass evaluation. A strong correlation between nuclear deformation and the binding energy is observed in the two-neutron separation energy in all studied isotope chains.

Double-beta decay Q values of 116Cd and 130Te

Abstract The Q values of the 116Cd and 130Te double-beta decaying nuclei were determined by using a Penning trap mass spectrometer. The new atomic mass difference between 116Cd and 116Sn of 2813.50(13) keV differs by 4.5 keV and is 30 times more precise than the previous value of 2809(4) keV. The new value for 130Te, 2526.97(23) keV is close to the Canadian Penning trap value of 2527.01 ± 0.32 keV (Scielzo et al., 2009) [1] , but differs from the Florida State University trap value of 2527.518 ± 0.013 keV (Redshaw et al., 2009) [2] by 0.55 keV (2σ). These values are sufficiently precise for ongoing neutrinoless double-beta decay searches in 116Cd and 130Te. Hence, our Q values were used to …

QECvalues of the superallowedβemittersC10,Ar34,Ca38, andV46

The ${Q}_{\mathrm{EC}}$ values of the superallowed ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{+}$ emitters $^{10}\mathrm{C}$, $^{34}\mathrm{Ar}$, $^{38}\mathrm{Ca}$, and $^{46}\mathrm{V}$ have been measured with the JYFLTRAP Penning-trap mass spectrometer to be 3648.12(8), 6061.83(8), 6612.12(7), and 7052.44(10) keV, respectively. All four values are substantially improved in precision over previous results. Of the well-known superallowed emitters, only $^{14}\mathrm{O}$ has yet to have had its ${Q}_{\mathrm{EC}}$ value measured with a Penning trap.

Higher Harmonic Anisotropic Flow Measurements of Charged Particles in Pb-Pb Collisions atsNN=2.76  TeV

We report on the first measurement of the triangular nu(3), quadrangular nu(4), and pentagonal nu(5) charged particle flow in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV measured with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. We show that the triangular flow can be described in terms of the initial spatial anisotropy and its fluctuations, which provides strong constraints on its origin. In the most central events, where the elliptic flow nu(2) and nu(3) have similar magnitude, a double peaked structure in the two-particle azimuthal correlations is observed, which is often interpreted as a Mach cone response to fast partons. We show that this structure can be naturally explained fr…

Spin-flip? ? decay of even-even deformed nuclei110Ru and112Ru

Neutron-rich nuclides110Ru and112Ru produced in symmetric fission of238U by 20 MeV protons have been studied at the IGISOL facility by means ofβ-ray,γ-ray and conversion electron spectroscopy. A total of 12 and 6γ-transitions were observed in the decays of110Ru and112Ru, respectively. Multipolarities were determined for a few transitions. The beta decay half-life was determined to be 11.6±0.6 s for110Ru and 1.75±0.07 s for112Ru. As a side product, a new value of 2.1±0.3 s for theβ half-life of the112Rh 1+ state was obtained. The decay energy measured with the plastic scintillator was 2.81 ±0.05 MeV for110Ru and 4.52 ±0.08 MeV for112Ru. The beta decay schemes of110Ru and112Ru isotopes indica…

Gas jet studies towards an optimization of the IGISOL LIST method

Abstract Gas jets emitted from an ion guide have been studied as a function of nozzle type and gas cell-to-background pressure ratio in order to obtain a low divergent, uniform jet over a distance of several cm. The jet has been probed by imaging the light emitted from excited argon or helium gas atoms. For a simple exit hole or converging-diverging nozzle, the jet diameter was found to be insensitive to the nozzle shape and inlet pressure. Sonic jets with a FWHM below 6 mm were achieved with a background pressure larger than 1 mbar in the expansion chamber. The measurements are supported by the detection of radioactive 219 Rn recoils from an alpha recoil source mounted within the gas cell.…

First experiment with the NUSTAR/FAIR Decay Total Absorption γ-Ray Spectrometer (DTAS) at the IGISOL IV facility

V. Guadilla et al. ; 4 págs.; 4 figs.; 1 tab.

Mass measurements of neutron-deficient nuclides close to A=80 with a Penning trap

The masses of 80,81,82,83Y, 83,84,85,86,88Zr and 85,86,87,88Nb have been measured with a typical precision of 7 keV by using the Penning trap setup at IGISOL. The mass of 84Zr has been measured for the first time. These precise mass measurements have improved Sp and QEC values for astrophysically important nuclides. peerReviewed

Centrality determination of Pb-Pb collisions atsNN=2.76TeV with ALICE

This publication describes the methods used to measure the centrality of inelastic Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 2.76 TeV per colliding nucleon pair with ALICE. The centrality is a key parameter in the study of the properties of QCD matter at extreme temperature and energy density, because it is directly related to the initial overlap region of the colliding nuclei. Geometrical properties of the collision, such as the number of participating nucleons and the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions, are deduced from a Glauber model with a sharp impact parameter selection and shown to be consistent with those extracted from the data. The centrality determination provides …

JYFLTRAP: a Penning trap for precision mass spectroscopy and isobaric purification

In this article a comprehensive description and performance of the double Penning-trap setup JYFLTRAP will be detailed. The setup is designed for atomic mass measurements of both radioactive and stable ions and additionally serves as a very high-resolution mass separator. The setup is coupled to the IGISOL facility at the accelerator laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä. The trap has been online since 2003 and it was shut down in the summer of 2010 for relocation to the upgraded IGISOL facility. Numerous atomic mass and decay energy measurements have been performed using the time-of-flight ion-cyclotron resonance technique. The trap has also been used in several decay spectroscopy expe…

Study of the neutron-rich nuclei with $N$ = 21, $^{35}$Si and $^{33}$Mg, by beta decay of $^{35}$Al and $^{33}$Na

Abstract The first information on the level structure of the N =21 nuclei, 35 Si and 33 Mg, has been obtained by the beta decay study of 35 Al and 33 Na, produced by fragmentation of an UC target with 1.4 GeV protons at CERN/ISOLDE. The experimental technique involved β – γ , β – γ – γ , and β –n– γ coincidences, neutron spectra being obtained by time of flight measurements. Gamma detection was made either using large Ge counters or small BaF 2 scintillators (for lifetime measurements). In the case of the 35 Al decay, ( T 1/2 =41.6(2.2) ms), a simple structure has been found for the level scheme of 35 Si ( Z =14, N =21) which has been interpreted with the level sequence : 7/2 − , 3/2 − and …

Beta-decay of 56Cu

Beta-decay studies of proton-rich isotopes near the doubly closed-shell nucleus 56Ni are of interest as (i) nuclei with a few nucleons outside a doubly-magic core are expected to represent comparatively simple configurations and thus be useful for testing nuclear shell-model predictions, and (ii) the large decay-energy window guarantees that a sizeable fraction of the strength of the allowed β-decay can be reached by the experiment. Moreover, nuclear structure properties of proton-rich N ~ Z isotopes are of astrophysical interest, e.g., concerning the EC cooling of supernovae and the astrophysical rp-process.

Femtoscopy ofppcollisions ats=0.9and 7 TeV at the LHC with two-pion Bose-Einstein correlations

We report on the high statistics two-pion correlation functions from pp collisions at root s = 0.9 TeV and root s = 7 TeV, measured by the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. The correlation functions as well as the extracted source radii scale with event multiplicity and pair momentum. When analyzed in the same multiplicity and pair transverse momentum range, the correlation is similar at the two collision energies. A three-dimensional femtoscopic analysis shows an increase of the emission zone with increasing event multiplicity as well as decreasing homogeneity lengths with increasing transverse momentum. The latter trend gets more pronounced as multiplicity increases. This sug…

A study of a helium-jet ion guide for an on-line isotope separator

Abstract A new method based on helium-jet techniques permits primary recoil ions, produced in radioactive decay or in nuclear reactions to be run directly through a mass separator. Results obtained with a 227 Ac source promise qualities complementary with those obtained with conventional ion sources and indicate an overall efficiency of the order of 10%. Preliminary results with 20 Na recoils from the 20 Ne(p,n)-reaction indicate that most of the ionic species transported out from the target chamber are negatively charged.

Beta decay of 108Mo and of neighbouring even Mo-isotopes

Abstract A combination of the proton-induced fission of 238 U and the on-line mass separation based on the ion-guide technique has been applied in the study of neutron-rich Mo-isotopes. The decays of 106,108 Mo have been studied by using gamma-, beta-, X-ray and conversion-electron spectroscopy. The decay scheme of 106 Mo has been revised and a beta-decay half-life of 8.73(12) s has been measured for this nucleus. A beta-decay half-life of 1.09(2) s and a decay energy of 5120(40) keV have been measured for 108 Mo. The decay scheme of 108 Mo has been constructed and altogether 29 new transitions have been placed in the decay scheme. The beta-decay strengths of 102,104,106,108 Mo have been de…

Fine structure in fragment mass-energy distribution from 238U+40Ar (275 MeV)

Existence of a new feature in fragment mass-energy distribution is reported. Careful analysis of the data obtained in the reaction 238U + 40Ar (275 MeV) shows that small but statistically significant ripples visible already in the gross mass spectrum come from extended and regular 2D patterns in the TKE vs. mass matrix. Intensity distributions of these patterns coincide with the location of heavy clusters such as 78Ni, 108Mo, or 132Sn. Presumably, the observed patterns show the dominant trajectories in the elongation vs. mass-asymmetry space of the decaying system. This information, unknown in the past, can shed a new light even on the previously well-studied reactions.

Beta decay of very neutron-rich110Mo studied at the new IGISOL facility

The decay of the new activity110Mo (t1/2=0.30(4).s) has been observed at the new IGISOL separator. Multiscaled singles,β-γ-t and γ-y-t coincidences were recorded. The decay scheme suggests Iπ=2+ for the ground state of the daughter nucleus110Tc. Three 1+ levels are fed with logft values below 5, indicating no drastic change among Mo and Ru decays at the middle of the neutron shell. This experiment confirms the expectation that the new IGISOL facility will allow the identification of one or two new more neutron-rich isotopes per element in this region.

The carrier-loaded helium-jet transport method

Abstract The suitability of commercial helium loaded with small amounts of different gases or vapors for the transport of radioactive reaction products over distances of several meters has been investigated experimentally. Negative results were obtained with gaseous carriers. Transport efficiencies of 50 to 100% were obtained with carrier vapors. The vapor appears to form droplets in the system. The recoils are adsorbed physically by the droplets and carried with them through a capillary. There appears to be an active mechanism that forces the heavy constituents to the centre of the capillary cross section. The heavy constituents emerge from the capillary as a very narrow beam. Collection o…

The science case of the FRS Ion Catcher for FAIR Phase-0

The FRS Ion Catcher at GSI enables precision experiments with thermalized projectile and fission fragments. At the same time it serves as a test facility for the Low-Energy Branch of the Super-FRS at FAIR. The FRS Ion Catcher has been commissioned and its performance has been characterized in five experiments with 238U and 124Xe projectile and fission fragments produced at energies in the range from 300 to 1000 MeV/u. High and almost element-independent efficiencies for the thermalization of short-lived nuclides produced at relativistic energies have been obtained. High-accuracy mass measurements of more than 30 projectile and fission fragments have been performed with a multiple-reflection…

Efficiency of an on-line isotope separator system employing cooled and NaCl-loaded He-jet methods

Abstract A pure helium-jet at liquid nitrogen temperature coupled to a Nielsen type ion source, and a NaCl-loaded helium-jet coupled to a hollow-cathode ion source have been investigated as means to connect a cyclotron target chamber on-line to a mass separator. Technical details and performances of some critical parts of the system are described. Total separation efficiencies measured under various experimental conditions for several nuclides vary between 0.01 and 1.0%.

Development of a carbon-cluster ion source for JYFLTRAP

Abstract A carbon-cluster ion source based on laser ablation and ionization of a carbon sample has been built and tested for the JYFLTRAP setup. In the present configuration the ion source is situated in the electrostatic switchyard in front of the radiofrequency (RFQ) cooler and buncher. In this position the beam quality of the carbon clusters injected into the Penning trap system is considerably improved by the RFQ. Moreover, the mass-dependence of the RFQ’s transmission can be used to some extent to suppress unwanted cluster sizes.

Experimental program of the Super-FRS Collaboration at FAIR and developments of related instrumentation

The physics program at the super-conducting fragment separator (Super-FRS) at FAIR, being operated in a multiple-stage, high-resolution spectrometer mode, is discussed. The Super-FRS will produce, separate and transport radioactive beams at high energies up to 1.5 AGeV, and it can be also used as a stand-alone experimental device together with ancillary detectors. Various combinations of the magnetic sections of the Super-FRS can be operated in dispersive, achromatic or dispersion-matched spectrometer ion-optical modes, which allow measurements of momentum distributions of secondary-reaction products with high resolution and precision. A number of unique experiments in atomic, nuclear and h…

Studies of astrophysically interesting nucleus23Al

We have studied the β-delayed proton decay of 23Al with a novel detector setup at the focal plane of the MARS separator at the Texas A&M University to resolve existing controversies about the proton branching of the IAS in 23Mg and to determine the absolute proton branchings by combining our results to the latest βγ-decay data. We have made also a high precision mass measurement of the ground state of 23Al to establish more accurate proton separation energy of 23Al. Here the description of the used techniques along with preliminary results of the experiments are given.

First evidence for the 2+ level in the very neutron-rich nucleus102Sr

Evidence for the 2+ level in102Sr is obtained from theβ-decay of102Rb, mass separated at the ISOLDE facility. The energy of 126 keV and the collectivity of the 2+→0+ transition indicate that102Sr is a strongly deformed rigid rotor. In addition, a sizeable lifetime is measured for the 94 keV transition in102Y.

Characterization of a cylindrical plastic {\beta}-detector with Monte Carlo simulations of optical photons

V. Guadilla et al. -- 5 pags., 8 figs., tab.

Properties of isomeric states and the ?d 3/2-vi 13/2 multiplet in194Au

The level structure of194Au has been studied by observing prompt and delayedγ-rays following194Pt(p,n) and195Pt(p,2n) reactions. The conversion electron andγ-ray spectra from the decay of the 0.42s (10−) and 0.60s (5+) isomers at 476 keV and 107.4 keV, respectively, have been measured using the He-jet method. The half-lives of the 6+ (278.2 keV, 1.1±0.4 ns), 7+ (224.6 keV, 2.6±0.2 ns) and 8+ (406.8 keV, 2.9±0.4 ns) members of theπd3/2-vi13/2 multiplet have been obtained from the time distributions between cyclotron beam pulses andγ-rays depopulating these levels. A calculation made assuming a pure two-particle configuration for the multiplet predicts very well theB(E2) values for the transi…

Ground-state spin of 59Mn

Beta decay of $^{59}$Mn has been studied at PSB-ISOLDE, CERN. The intense and pure Mn beam was produced using the Resonance Ionization Laser Ion Source (RILIS). Based on the measured $\beta$-decay rates the ground-state spin and parity are proposed to be $J^{\pi}$ = 5/2$^{-}$. This result is consistent with the systematic trend of the odd-A Mn nuclei and extends the systematics one step further towards the neutron drip line.

Optimization of krypton yields for rp-process studies at ISOLDE(CERN)

The production of neutron-deficient krypton isotopes having astrophysical importance has been studied at the ISOLDE PBS facility at CERN. To investigate several effects on the yield a Monte Carlo code has been extensively applied.

Centrality dependence ofπ,K, andpproduction in Pb-Pb collisions atsNN=2.76TeV

In this paper measurements are presented of pi(+/-), K-+/-, p, and (p) over bar production at midrapidity (vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.5), in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV as a function of centrality. The measurement covers the transverse-momentum (p(T)) range from 100, 200, and 300 MeV/c up to 3, 3, and 4.6 GeV/c for pi, K, and p, respectively. The measured p(T) distributions and yields are compared to expectations based on hydrodynamic, thermal and recombination models. The spectral shapes of central collisions show a stronger radial flow than measured at lower energies, which can be described in hydrodynamic models. In peripheral collisions, the p(T) distributions are not…

Superasymmetric fission at intermediate energy and production of neutron-rich nuclei with A &lt; 80

Abstract The yields of neutron-rich Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga and Ge-isotopes were measured in 25 MeV proton induced fission of 238 U using the ion guide-based isotope separator technique. The results indicate enhancement for superasymmetric mass division at intermediate excitation energy of the fissioning nucleus and show the potential of this reaction for the production of neutron-rich exotic nuclei around Z = 28.

Trap-assisted separation of nuclear states for gamma-ray spectroscopy: the example of100Nb

Low-lying levels in 100Mo are known to be populated by beta decay from both the ground and isomeric states in 100Nb. The small energy difference (~3 ppm) between the two parent states and the similarity of their half-lives make it difficult to distinguish experimentally between the two decay paths. A new technique for separating different states of nuclei has recently been developed in a series of experiments at the IGISOL facility, using the JYFLTRAP installation, at the University of Jyvaskyla where mass resolution ~2 ppm was achieved in mass measurements and in the production of 133mXe. This paper reports on the extension of this technique to allow the separate study of the gamma-ray dec…

JYFLTRAP: a cylindrical Penning trap for isobaric beam purification at IGISOL

Abstract A Penning trap has been installed for isobaric beam purification at the IGISOL-facility at the University of Jyvaskyla. In this paper, the technical details of this new device together with results of the first tests are presented. The mass resolving power, depending on the excitation parameters and the ion species, can be as high as 145 000 and the total transmission has been determined to be 17%. In addition, it is shown that with this experimental setup it is possible to measure atomic masses up to A=120 with accuracies of approximately 50 keV .

Centrality Dependence of the Charged-Particle Multiplicity Density at Midrapidity in Pb-Pb Collisions atsNN=2.76  TeV

The centrality dependence of the charged-particle multiplicity density at midrapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 2: 76 TeV is presented. The charged-particle density normalized per participating nucleon pair increases by about a factor of 2 from peripheral (70%-80%) to central (0%-5%) collisions. The centrality dependence is found to be similar to that observed at lower collision energies. The data are compared with models based on different mechanisms for particle production in nuclear collisions.

Ultra-high resolution mass separator—Application to detection of nuclear weapons tests

Abstract A Penning trap-based purification process having a resolution of about 1 ppm is reported. In this context, we present for the first time a production method for the most complicated and crucially important nuclear weapons test signature, 133mXe. These pure xenon samples are required by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization to standardize and calibrate the worldwide network of xenon detectors.

Radioactive Beams for Image-Guided Particle Therapy: The BARB Experiment at GSI

Several techniques are under development for image-guidance in particle therapy. Positron (β+) emission tomography (PET) is in use since many years, because accelerated ions generate positron-emitting isotopes by nuclear fragmentation in the human body. In heavy ion therapy, a major part of the PET signals is produced by β+-emitters generated via projectile fragmentation. A much higher intensity for the PET signal can be obtained using β+-radioactive beams directly for treatment. This idea has always been hampered by the low intensity of the secondary beams, produced by fragmentation of the primary, stable beams. With the intensity upgrade of the SIS-18 synchrotron and the isotopic separati…

An ion guide for the production of a low energy ion beam of daughter products of α-emitters

A new ion guide has been modeled and tested for the production of a low energy ($\approx$ 40 kV) ion beam of daughter products of alpha-emitting isotopes. The guide is designed to evacuate daughter recoils originating from the $\alpha$-decay of a $^{233}$U source. The source is electroplated onto stainless steel strips and mounted along the inner walls of an ion guide chamber. A combination of electric fields and helium gas flow transport the ions through an exit hole for injection into a mass separator. Ion guide efficiencies for the extraction of $^{229}$Th$^{+}$ (0.06%), $^{221}$Fr$^{+}$ (6%), and $^{217}$At$^{+}$ (6%) beams have been measured. A detailed study of the electric field and …

Large Impact of the Decay of Niobium Isomers on the Reactor ν¯e Summation Calculations

Even mass neutron-rich niobium isotopes are among the principal contributors to the reactor antineutrino energy spectrum. They are also among the most challenging to measure due to the refractory nature of niobium, and because they exhibit isomeric states lying very close in energy. The beta-intensity distributions of Nb-100gs,Nb-100m and Nb-102gs,Nb-02m beta decays have been determined using the total absorption.-ray spectroscopy technique. The measurements were performed at the upgraded Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line facility at the University of Jyvaskyla. Here, the double Penning trap system JYFLTRAP was employed to disentangle the beta decay of the isomeric states. The new data ob…

Beta decay of 40Sc to proton and alpha-particle unbound states in 40Ca

Delayed charged particle emission associated with the precursor nuclide 40Sc was studied by use of the He-jet technique. Altogether 40 proton groups (1.0 MeV < Ep < 3.7 MeV) and 21 α-particle groups (2.0 MeV < Eα < 4.6 MeV) were observed. Total proton and α-particle branching ratios were measured to be (4.4±0.7) × 10−3 and (0.17±0.05) × 10−3, respectively. Association of the delayed particle emitting levels with the levels observed in resonance reaction studies is discussed. The fact that the most prominent α-particle groups do not have a counterpart in resonance reaction data suggests collectivity or a cluster configuration for the emitting levels. Log ft values (upper limits) for β+ trans…

Large underground, liquid based detectors for astro-particle physics in Europe: scientific case and prospects

This document reports on a series of experimental and theoretical studies conducted to assess the astro-particle physics potential of three future large-scale particle detectors proposed in Europe as next generation underground observatories. The proposed apparatus employ three different and, to some extent, complementary detection techniques: GLACIER (liquid Argon TPC), LENA (liquid scintillator) and MEMPHYS (\WC), based on the use of large mass of liquids as active detection media. The results of these studies are presented along with a critical discussion of the performance attainable by the three proposed approaches coupled to existing or planned underground laboratories, in relation to…

Penning trap at IGISOL

The IGISOL facility [1] at the Department of Physics of the University of Jyvaskyla (JYFL) is delivering radioactive beams of short-lived exotic nuclei, in particular the neutron-rich isotopes from fission reaction. These nuclei are studied with the nuclear and collinear laser spectroscopy methods. In order to obtain a meaningful increase, in comparison to a standard level, of precision and sensitivity of such studies an improvement of the radioactive beam quality is necessary. This improvement will be achieved due to a radioactive beam handling which consists of three steps: beam cooling, bunching and (isobaric) purification. The latter means a possibility of obtaining a pure monoisotopic …

Non-analog β decay of 74Rb

The magnitude of the Coulomb mixing parameter δ 1 has been experimentally deduced, for the first time, for the β decay of 74 Rb. The estimated magnitude is derived from the feeding of the non-analog first excited 0 + state in 74 Kr. The inferred upper limit of 0.07% is small compared to theoretical predictions. The half-life was measured to be 64.90(9) ms.  2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Measurement of the 2+→0+ ground-state transition in the β decay of F20

We report the first detection of the second-forbidden, nonunique, 2+→0+, ground-state transition in the β decay of F20. A low-energy, mass-separated F+20 beam produced at the IGISOL facility in Jyvaskyla, Finland, was implanted in a thin carbon foil and the β spectrum measured using a magnetic transporter and a plastic-scintillator detector. The β-decay branching ratio inferred from the measurement is bβ=[0.41±0.08(stat)±0.07(sys)]×10-5 corresponding to logft=10.89(11), making this one of the strongest second-forbidden, nonunique β transitions ever measured. The experimental result is supported by shell-model calculations and has significant implications for the final evolution of stars tha…

A new pulsed release method for element selective production of neutron rich isotopes near 208Pb

Abstract A new method to reduce the isobaric contamination problem for the production of neutron rich Bi, Pb and Tl nuclei at on-line mass separators, based on the pulsed release of these radioactive species, is presented. The results of a feasibility study are reported.

Total absorption study of theβdecay of102,104,105Tc

The $\ensuremath{\beta}$-feeding probabilities for three important contributors to the decay heat in nuclear reactors, namely ${}^{102,104,105}$Tc, have been measured using the total absorption spectroscopy technique. For the measurements, sources of very high isobaric purity have been obtained using a Penning trap (JYFLTRAP). A detailed description of the data analysis is given and the results are compared with high-resolution measurements and theoretical calculations.

A thirty second isomer in Hf

An isomer has been detected in Hf-171 with a half-life of T-1/2 = 29.5(9) s. The state was populated in the Yb-170(alpha,3n)Hf-171m reaction at a beam energy of E-alpha = 50 MeV in an on-line ion guide isotope separator. The isomeric Hf-17lm(+) beam was extracted from the ion guide, mass-analysed and implanted in the surface of a microchannel-plate. The half-life of the collected activity was measured from the decay of the microchannel-plate count rate. We associate the isomer with the first excited slate in Hf-171 with spin 1/2(-) at an excitation energy of 22(2) keV.

The first cooled beams from JYFL ion cooler and trap project

Abstract A ion manipulation scheme employing a linear radiofrequency quadrupole and a Penning trap is described. It provides means to improve emittance, cool, bunch and mass-purify the existing ion beams from an Ion Guide Isotope Separator while preserving its fast operation. The ion beam cooler is operational and capable to cool ion beam down to eV regime in few ms with at least 60 percent transmission.

Isomeric state of $^{80}$Y and its role in the astrophysical rp-process

5 pages, 7 figures.-- PACS nrs: 21.10.Tg; 23.20.Nx; 27.50.+e.

TAGS measurements of $^{100}$Nb ground and isomeric states and $^{140}$Cs for neutrino physics with the new DTAS detector

V. Guadilla et al. -- 4 pags., 6 figs. -- Open Access funded by Creative Commons Atribution Licence 4.0

QEC value of the superallowed β emitter 42Sc

The QEC value of the superallowed β+ emitter Sc42 has been measured with the JYFLTRAP Penning-trap mass spectrometer at the University of Jyväskylä to be 6426.350(53) keV. This result is at least a factor of four more precise than all previous measurements, which were also inconsistent with one another. As a byproduct we determine the excitation energy of the 7+ isomeric state in Sc42 to be 616.762(46) keV, which deviates by 8σ from the previous measurement. peerReviewed

Extraction of radioactive positive ions across the surface of superfluid helium: A new method to produce cold radioactive nuclear beams

Alpha-decay recoils 219Rn were stopped in superfluid helium and positive ions were extracted by electric field into the vapour phase. This first quantitative observation of extraction was successfully conducted using highly sensitive radioactivity detection. The efficiency for extraction across the liquid surface was 23 ± 4% at 1.60 K, the release time was 90 ± 10 ms at 1.50 K and the barrier for positive ions through a free superfluid-helium surface was 19.4 ± 4.5 K. The pulsed second sound proved to be effective in enhancing the extraction.

J/ψPolarization inppCollisions ats=7  TeV

The ALICE Collaboration has studied J/psi production in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV at the LHC through its muon pair decay. The polar and azimuthal angle distributions of the decay muons were measured, and results on the J/psi polarization parameters lambda(theta) and lambda(phi) were obtained. The study was performed in the kinematic region 2: 5 < y < 4, 2 < p(t) < 8 GeV/c, in the helicity and Collins-Soper reference frames. In both frames, the polarization parameters are compatible with zero, within uncertainties.

Gamow-Teller Beta Decay of Neutron Rich Tc, Ru, Rh and Pd Isotopes

During recent experiments at the IGISOL-facility several new neutron rich nuclides have been discovered, including the first direct observations of the beta decays of 111Tc, 112Ru, 113Ru, 114Ru, 113Rh, 115Rh, 116Rh and 118Pd. The role of the νg7/2 → πg9/2 transformation in the beta decays of the odd-odd 110–116Rh and the even-even 114–118Pd isotopes is shown to be dominant. The experimental results are compared with shell model calculations including deformation and pairing.

New isomer and decay half-life ofRu115

Exotic, neutron-rich nuclei of mass $A=115$ produced in proton-induced fission of $^{238}\mathrm{U}$ were extracted using the IGISOL mass separator. The beam of isobars was transferred to the JYFLTRAP Penning trap system for further separation to the isotopic level. Monoisotopic samples of $^{115}\mathrm{Ru}$ nuclei were used for $\ensuremath{\gamma}$and $\ensuremath{\beta}$ coincidence spectroscopy. In $^{115}\mathrm{Ru}$ we have observed excited levels, including an isomer with a half-life of 76(6) ms and ($7/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$) spin and parity. The first excited 61.7-keV level in $^{115}\mathrm{Ru}$ with spins and parity ($3/{2}^{+}$) may correspond to an $\mathit{oblate}$ $3/{2}^{+}$…

QEC value of the superallowed β emitter Sc42

Precise measurements of superallowed ${0}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{0}^{+}$ $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay presently provide the most precise value for the weak mixing amplitude ${V}_{u\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}d}$. As the largest element of the CKM matrix, ${V}_{u\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}d}$ is a critical piece of the Standard Model of the electroweak interaction. The new, precise Penning-trap mass measurement of the decay energy for the superallowed transition in ${}^{42}$Sc opens the door for a much more precise $f\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t$ value determination if its half-life can be measured more precisely as well.

Beta decay of neutron-rich 118Ag and 120Ag isotopes

b decays of on-line mass-separated neutron-rich 118Ag and 120Ag isotopes have been studied by using b-g and g-g coincidence spectroscopy. Extended decay schemes to the 118,120Cd daughter nuclei have been constructed. The three-phonon quintuplet in 118Cd is completed by including a new level at 2023.0 keV, which is tentatively assigned the spin and parity of 24 1 . The intruder band in 118Cd is proposed up to the 41 level at 2322.4 keV. The measured b-decay half-life for the high-spin isomer of 120Ag is 0.4060.03 s. Candidates for the three-phonon states, as well as the lowest members of the intruder band in 120Cd, are also presented. These data support the coexistence of quadrupole anharmon…

Wien filter for cooled low-energy radioactive ion beams

A Wien filter for cooled radioactive ion beams has been designed at Ion Guide Isotope Separator On Line technique (IGISOL). The purpose of such device is to eliminate doubly charged ions from the mass separated singly charged ions, based on q=+2→q=+1 charge exchange process in an ion cooler. The performance of the Wien filter has been tested off-line with a discharge ion source as well as on-line with a radioactive beam. The electron capture process of cooled q=+2 ions has been investigated in a radiofrequency quadrupole ion cooler with varying partial pressures of nitrogen. Also, the superasymmetric fission production yields of 68<A<78 nuclei have been deduced.

Total absorption spectroscopy study of the β decay of Br86 and Rb91

The beta decays of 86Br and 91Rb have been studied using the total absorption spectroscopy technique. The radioactive nuclei were produced at the IGISOL facility in Jyvaskyla and further purified using the JYFLTRAP. 86Br and 91Rb are considered high priority contributors to the decay heat in reactors. In addition 91Rb was used as a normalization point in direct measurements of mean gamma energies released in the beta decay of fission products by Rudstam et al. assuming that this decay was well known from high-resolution measurements. Our results shows that both decays were suffering from the Pandemonium effect and that the results of Rudstam et al. should be renormalized.

AccurateQValue for theSn112Double-βDecay and its Implication for the Search of the Neutrino Mass

The $Q$ value of the $^{112}\mathrm{Sn}$ double-beta decay was determined by using a Penning trap mass spectrometer. The new atomic-mass difference between $^{112}\mathrm{Sn}$ and $^{112}\mathrm{Cd}$ of 1919.82(16) keV is 25 times more precise than the previous value of 1919(4) keV. This result removes the possibility of enhanced resonance capture of the neutrinoless double-EC decay to the excited ${0}^{+}$ state at 1871.00(19) keV in $^{112}\mathrm{Cd}$.

Quenching of the SnSbTe Cycle in therpProcess

The nuclides 104-108Sn, 106-110Sb, 108,109Te, and 111I at the expected endpoint of the astrophysical rp process have been produced in 58Ni+natNi fusion-evaporation reactions at IGISOL and their mass values were precisely measured with the JYFLTRAP Penning trap mass spectrometer. For 106Sb, 108Sb, and 110Sb these are the first direct experimental mass results obtained. The related one-proton separation energies have been derived and the value for 106Sb, Sp=424(8) keV, shows that the branching into the closed SnSbTe cycle in the astrophysical rp process is weaker than expected.

Collinear laser spectroscopy of ZrII

A new technique involving collinear laser spectroscopy of ion bunches has been used to study the radio-isotopes 87,87m,88,89,89m Zr.

Disentangling decaying isomers and searching for signatures of collective excitations in β decay

6 pags., 3 figs., 1 tab. -- 27th International Nuclear Physics Conference (INPC2019) 29 July - 2 August 2019, Glasgow, UK

Gas-filled recoil separator for studies of heavy elements

Abstract A gas-filled recoil separator for the study of heavy elements has been constructed. The separator is of type QDQQ with the first, vertically focusing, quadrupole providing improved matching to the acceptance of the dipole magnet. The separator has been designed also for use in vacuum mode in which case a mass resolving power of ≈ 100 is estimated. The deflection angle is 25° and the radius of curvature is 1850 mm. Maximum beam rigidity is 2.2 T m. In the first experiments, new isotopes in the region Z = 85–90 have been synthesized.

b-decay of 116Agm and the vibrational structure of 116Cd

The structure of near neutron midshell 116 Cd has been investigated via β decay of 116 Ag m by β-γ and γ-γ coincidence spectroscopy. The 116 Ag m activity was produced by symmetric fission of natural uranium induced by 25 MeV protons. The ion guide technique has been employed to produce online mass separated sources. The decay scheme of 116 Ag m has been considerably extended by adding 19 new excited states of 116 Cd . The newly identified 116 Cd state at 1869.7 keV, along with other four levels near 2 MeV, are interpreted as forming the complete three-phonon quintuplet. The vibrational structure of 116 Cd is discussed in the context of an anharmonic vibrator. peerReviewed

Production of neutron-rich isotopes in fission of uranium induced by neutrons of 20 MeV average energy

In the context of a parameter study conducted by several laboratories for future European radioactive beam facilities based on fast-neutron induced fission, in particular for the SPIRAL-II project at GANIL, we have measured the yields of neutron-rich isotopes in the mass range of 88 to 144. These nuclei were obtained as fission products of natural uranium bombarded by neutrons of 20 MeV average energy emitted by a thick carbon target irradiated by 50 MeV deuterons. Yields have been measured using on-line mass separation with the ion-guide method. Compared with proton-induced fission at 25 MeV the magnitude of cross-sections, except for the symmetric region, is similar. Z-distributions of is…