"Safe" Coulomb excitation of 30Mg.

2004

We report on the first radioactive beam experiment performed at the recently commissioned REX-ISOLDE facility at CERN in conjunction with the highly efficient $\gamma$ -spectrometer MINIBALL. Using $^{30}$Mg ions accelerated to an energy of 2.25MeV/u together with a thin $^{nat}$Ni target, Coulomb excitation of the first excited 2+ states of the projectile and target nuclei well below the Coulomb barrier was observed. From the measured relative de-excitation $\gamma$ -ray yields the B(E2; 0$^{+}_{gs} \rightarrow 2^{+}_{1}$) value of $^{30}$Mg was determined to be 241(31)$e^{2}$fm$^{4}$. Our result is lower than values obtained at projectile fragmenttion facilities using the intermediate-ene…

The neutron-rich Mg isotopes: first results from MINIBALL at REX-ISOLDE

2004

After the successful commissioning of the Radioactive beam EXperiment (REX) at ISOLDE (CERN) in 2002, first physics experiments were performed in 2003 which focussed on the neutron-rich Mg isotopes in the vicinity of the “island of inversion”. After introducing the REX facility and the modern γ spectrometer MINIBALL first preliminary results will be presented showing the high potential and physics opportunities offered by this new radioactive beam facility.

Relative proton andγwidths of astrophysically important states in30S studied in theβ-delayed decay of31Ar

2013

Resonances just above the proton threshold in S-30 affect the P-29(p, gamma)S-30 reaction under astrophysical conditions. The (p,gamma)-reaction rate is currently determined indirectly and depends on the properties of the relevant resonances. We present here a method for finding the ratio between the proton and gamma partial widths of resonances in S-30. The widths are determined from the beta 2p- and beta p gamma-decay of Ar-31, which is produced at the ISOLDE radioactive ion beam facility at the European research organization CERN. Experimental limits on the ratio between the proton and gamma partial widths for astrophysical relevant levels in S-30 have been found for the first time. A le…

Deformation and mixing of coexisting shapes in neutron-deficient polonium isotopes

2015

Coulomb-excitation experiments are performed with postaccelerated beams of neutron-deficient Po196,198,200,202 isotopes at the REX-ISOLDE facility. A set of matrix elements, coupling the low-lying states in these isotopes, is extracted. In the two heaviest isotopes, Po200,202, the transitional and diagonal matrix elements of the 2+1 state are determined. In Po196,198 multistep Coulomb excitation is observed, populating the 4+1,0+2, and 2+2 states. The experimental results are compared to the results from the measurement of mean-square charge radii in polonium isotopes, confirming the onset of deformation from Po196 onwards. Three model descriptions are used to compare to the data. Calculati…

Shape Coexistence in the Neutron-Deficient Even-EvenHg182−188Isotopes Studied via Coulomb Excitation

2014

Coulomb-excitation experiments to study electromagnetic properties of radioactive even-even Hg isotopes were performed with 2.85 MeV/nucleon mercury beams from REX-ISOLDE. Magnitudes and relative signs of the reduced E2 matrix elements that couple the ground state and low-lying excited states in Hg182-188 were extracted. Information on the deformation of the ground and the first excited 0(+) states was deduced using the quadrupole sum rules approach. Results show that the ground state is slightly deformed and of oblate nature, while a larger deformation for the excited 0(+) state was noted in Hg-182; 184. The results are compared to beyond mean field and interacting-boson based models and i…

Multiparticle emission in the decay ofAr31

2014

A multihit capacity setup was used to study the decay of the dripline nucleus Ar-31, produced at the ISOLDE facility at CERN. A spectroscopic analysis of the beta-delayed three-proton decay of Ar-31 is presented for the first time together with a quantitative analysis of the beta-delayed 2p gamma decay. A new method for determination of the spin of low-lying levels in the beta p daughter 30S using proton-proton angular correlations is presented and used to determine that the spin of the 5.2-MeV level is most likely 3(+) with 4(+) also possible. The half-life of Ar-31 is found to be 15.1(3) ms. An improved analysis of the Fermi beta strength including the beta 3p-decay mode gives a total mea…

Early onset of deformation in the neutron-deficient polonium isotopes

2012

In-source laser spectroscopy has been performed at CERN-ISOLDE with the RILIS laser ion source on Po-191-204,Po-206,Po-208-211,Po-216,Po-218. New information on the beta decay of Po-199 were extracted in the process, challenging previous results. Large-scale atomic calculations were performed to extract the changes in the mean-square charge radius delta from the isotope shifts. The delta for the even-A isotopes reveal a large deviation from the spherical droplet model for N < 116.

Design, construction and cooling system performance of a prototype cryogenic stopping cell for the Super-FRS at FAIR

2015

A cryogenic stopping cell for stopping energetic radioactive ions and extracting them as a low energy beam was developed. This first ever cryogenically operated stopping cell serves as prototype device for the Low-Energy Branch of the Super-FRS at FAIR. The cell has a stopping volume that is 1 m long and 25 cm in diameter. Ions are guided by a DC field along the length of the stopping cell and by a combined RF and DC fields provided by an RE carpet at the exit-hole side. The ultra-high purity of the stopping gas required for optimum ion survival is reached by cryogenic operation. The design considerations and construction of the cryogenic stopping cell, as well as some performance character…

Shape dynamics in neutron-rich Kr isotopes: Coulomb excitation of 92Kr, 94Kr and 96Kr

2013

We report on the study of excited states in 92,94,96Kr populated via projectile Coulomb excitation at safe energies. The radioactive ion beams at energies of 2.85 MeV/u were delivered by the REX-ISOLDE facility at CERN and impinged on self-supporting 194,196Pt targets. The emitted γ -rays were detected by the Miniball detector-array. A detailed description of the experimental techniques used for extracting diagonal and transitional matrix elements and of the theoretical framework is given. The present experiment reveals the moderate evolution of the collective structure in the considered neutron-rich Kr isotopic chain, which is supported by the interacting boson model combined with the self…

“Safe” Coulomb Excitation ofMg30

2005

We report on the first radioactive beam experiment performed at the recently commissioned REX-ISOLDE facility at CERN in conjunction with the highly efficient γ spectrometer MINIBALL. Using Mg-30 ions accelerated to an energy of 2.25 MeV/u together with a thin Ni-nat target, Coulomb excitation of the first excited 2(+) states of the projectile and target nuclei well below the Coulomb barrier was observed. From the measured relative deexcitation γ-ray yields the B(E2;0(gs)(+)R 2(1)(+)) value of Mg-30 was determined to be 241(31)e(2) fm(4). Our result is lower than values obtained at projectile fragmentation facilities using the intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation method, and confirms the …

Evidence for a Smooth Onset of Deformation in the Neutron-Rich Kr Isotopes

2012

The neutron-rich nuclei Kr94,96 were studied via projectile Coulomb excitation at the REX-ISOLDE facility at CERN. Level energies of the first excited 2 + states and their absolute E2 transition strengths to the ground state are determined and discussed in the context of the E(21+) and B(E2;21+→01+) systematics of the krypton chain. Contrary to previously published results no sudden onset of deformation is observed. This experimental result is supported by a new proton-neutron interacting boson model calculation based on the constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach using the microscopic Gogny-D1M energy density functional. © 2012 American Physical Society.

Sub-Barrier Coulomb Excitation ofSn110and Its Implications for theSn100Shell Closure

2007

The first excited 2(+) state of the unstable isotope Sn-110 has been studied in safe Coulomb excitation at 2.82 MeV/u using the MINIBALL array at the REX-ISOLDE post accelerator at CERN. This is the first measurement of the reduced transition probability of this state using this method for a neutron deficient Sn isotope. The strength of the approach lies in the excellent peak-to-background ratio that is achieved. The extracted reduced transition probability, B(E2 : 0(+) -> 2(+)) 0.220 +/- 0.022e(2) b(2), strengthens the observation of the evolution of the B(E2) values of neutron deficient Sn isotopes that was observed recently in intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation of Sn-108. It implies …

Erratum: Evidence for a Smooth Onset of Deformation in the Neutron-Rich Kr Isotopes [Phys. Rev. Lett.108, 062701 (2012)]

2012

Coulomb Excitation of Neutron-Rich Zn Isotopes: First Observation of the21+State inZn80

2007

Neutron-rich, radioactive Zn isotopes were investigated at the Radioactive Ion Beam facility REX-ISOLDE (CERN) using low-energy Coulomb excitation. The energy of the 2(1)+ state in 78Zn could be firmly established and for the first time the 2+ --> 0(1)+ transition in 80Zn was observed at 1492(1) keV. B(E2,2(1)+ --> 0(1)+) values were extracted for (74,76,78,80)Zn and compared to large scale shell model calculations. With only two protons outside the Z=28 proton core, 80Zn is the lightest N=50 isotone for which spectroscopic information has been obtained to date. Two sets of advanced shell model calculations reproduce the observed B(E2) systematics. The results for N=50 isotones indicate a g…

Relative proton and γ widths of astrophysically important states in 30S studied in the β-delayed decay of 31Ar

2013

Resonances just above the proton threshold in 30S affect the 29P(p,gamma)30S reaction under astrophysical conditions. The (p,gamma)-reaction rate is currently determined indirectly and depends on the properties of the relevant resonances. We present here a method for finding the ratio between the proton and gamma partial widths of resonances in 30S. The widths are determined from the beta-2p and beta-p-gamma decay of 31Ar, which is produced at the ISOLDE facility at the European research organization CERN. Experimental limits on the ratio between the proton and gamma partial widths for astrophysical relevant levels in 30S have been found for the first time. A level at 4688(5) keV is identif…

Sizeable beta-strength in $^{31}$Ar (β3p) decay

2014

5 pags. ; 7 figs. ; Open Access funded by SCOAP3 - Sponsoring Consortium for Open Access Publishing in Particle Physics

Collectivity in the light radon nuclei measured directly via Coulomb excitation

2015

Background: Shape coexistence in heavy nuclei poses a strong challenge to state-of-the-art nuclear models, where several competing shape minima are found close to the ground state. A classic region for investigating this phenomenon is in the region around Z=82 and the neutron midshell at N=104. Purpose: Evidence for shape coexistence has been inferred from α-decay measurements, laser spectroscopy, and in-beam measurements. While the latter allow the pattern of excited states and rotational band structures to be mapped out, a detailed understanding of shape coexistence can only come from measurements of electromagnetic matrix elements. Method: Secondary, radioactive ion beams of Rn202 and Rn…

Corrigendum to: “Shape dynamics in neutron-rich Kr isotopes: Coulomb excitation of 92Kr, 94Kr and 96Kr” [Nucl. Phys. A 899 (2013) 1–28]

2016

Multi-particle emission in the decay of $^{31}$Ar

2014

A multi-hit capacity setup was used to study the decay of the dripline nucleus 31Ar, produced at the ISOLDE facility at CERN. A spectroscopic analysis of the beta-delayed three-proton decay of 31Ar is presented for the first time together with a quantitative analysis of the beta-delayed two-proton-gamma-decay. A new method for determination of the spin of low-lying levels in the beta-proton-daughter 30S using proton-proton angular correlations is presented and used for the level at 5.2 MeV, which is found to be either a 3+ or 4+ level, with the data pointing towards the 3+. The half-life of 31Ar is found to be 15.1(3) ms. An improved analysis of the Fermi beta-strength gives a total measure…

The Miniball spectrometer

2013

The Miniball germanium detector array has been operational at the REX (Radioactive ion beam EXperiment) post accelerator at the Isotope Separator On-Line facility ISOLDE at CERN since 2001. During the last decade, a series of successful Coulomb excitation and transfer reaction studies have been performed with this array, utilizing the unique and high-quality radioactive ion beams which are available at ISOLDE. In this article, an overview is given of the technical details of the full Miniball setup, including a description of the γ-ray and particle detectors, beam monitoring devices and methods to deal with beam contamination. The specific timing properties of the REX-ISOLDE facility are hi…

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

2007

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…

Gamow–Teller transitions in exotic pf-shell nuclei relevant to supernova explosion

2007

Gamow–Teller (GT) transitions starting from unstable pf-shell nuclei are of interest not only in nuclear physics, but also in astrophysics, e.g. in violent neutrino induced reactions at the core-collapse stage of type II supernovae. In the β-decay study of these pf-shell nuclei, half-lives can be measured rather accurately. On the other hand, in high-resolution (3He, t) charge-exchange reactions at 0°, individual GT transitions up to high excitations can be studied. Assuming the isospin symmetry for the strengths of Tz = ±1 → 0 analogous GT transitions, we present a unique 'merged analysis' for the determination of absolute B(GT) values.

Electromagnetic properties of low-lying states in neutron-deficient Hg isotopes: Coulomb excitation of Hg-182, Hg-184, Hg-186 and Hg-188

2019

The neutron-deficient mercury isotopes serve as a classical example of shape coexistence, whereby at low energy near-degenerate nuclear states characterized by different shapes appear. The electromagnetic structure of even-mass 182-188 Hg isotopes was studied using safe-energy Coulomb excitation of neutron-deficient mercury beams delivered by the REX-ISOLDE facility at CERN. The population of $ 0^{+}_{1,2}$01,2+, $ 2^{+}_{1,2}$21,2+and $ 4^{+}_{1}$41+states was observed in all nuclei under study. Reduced E2 matrix elements coupling populated yrast and non-yrast states were extracted, including their relative signs. These are a sensitive probe of shape coexistence and may be used to validate…

Structure of191Pb from α- and β-decay spectroscopy

2010

International audience; Complementary studies of 191 Pb have been made in the β decay of 191 Bi at LISOL (CRC) and in the α decay of 195 Po at ISOLDE (CERN). Fine structures in the α decay of the low-spin and high-spin isomers of 195 Po have been fully resolved. Identification of the parent state is made possible via isomer selection based on narrowband laser frequency scanning. The α-particle and γ-ray energies have been determined with greater precision. New α-particle and γ-ray energies are identified. Branching ratios in the decay of 195 Po and 191 Pb have been examined. Structure of 191 Pb from α- and β-decay spectroscopy 2 PACS numbers: 23.20.Nx Internal conversion, 23.60.+e α decay, …

Coulomb excitation of Na-29,Na-30: Mapping the borders of the island of inversion

2014

Seidlitz, M., et all ; 10 pags. ; 9 figs. ; 1 tab. ; PACS number(s): 21.60.Cs, 23.20.Js, 25.70.De, 29.38.Gj

Charge radii of odd-A 191–211Po isotopes

2013

Isotope shifts have been measured for the odd-A polonium isotopes 191–211Po and changes in the nuclear mean square charge radii δr2 have been deduced. The measurements were performed at CERN-ISOLDE using the in-source resonance-ionization spectroscopy technique. The combined analysis of these data and our recent results for even-A polonium isotopes indicates an onset of deformation already at 197,198Po, when going away from stability. This is significantly earlier than was suggested by previous theoretical and experimental studies of the polonium isotopes. Moreover and in contrast to the mercury isotopes, where a strong odd–even staggering of the charge radii of the ground states was observ…