0000000000172016

AUTHOR

Leonid Weissman

Beta-decay measurements of neutron-rich thallium, lead, and bismuth by means of resonant laser ionisation

Abstract Neutron-rich thallium, lead, and bismuth isotopes were investigated at the ISOLDE facility. After mass separation and resonant laser ionisation of the produced activity, new spectroscopic data were obtained for 215,218 Bi and 215 Pb. An attempt to reach heavy thallium had to be abandoned because of a strong francium component in the beam that gave rise to a neutron background through (α,n) reactions on the aluminium walls of the experimental chamber.

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Laser spectroscopy measurement of isotope shifts and nuclear moments of short-lived neon isotopes

Within the scope of a laser spectroscopy study of nuclear structure in the sd shell we are measuring nuclear moments and isotope shifts of neon isotopes. An ultra-sensitive variant of collinear laser spectroscopy [1, 2] is applied to a neutralized fast beam from ISOLDE (CERN). The non-optical detection is based on optical pumping, state selective collisional ionization and β-activity counting. This method gives access in particular to the short-lived isotopes in the extended chain of 17–26,28Ne.

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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.

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Selective laser ionization of N≥82 indium isotopes: The new r-process nuclide 135In

Production yields and beta-decay half-lives of very neutron-rich indium isotopes were determined at CERN/ISOLDE using isobaric selectivity of a resonance-ionization laser ion-source. Beta-delayed neutron multiscaling measurements have yielded improved half-lives for 206(6)~ms $^{132}$In, 165(3)~ms $^{133}$In and 141(5)~ms $^{134}$In. With 92(10)~ms $^{135}$In, a new r-process nuclide has been identified which acts as an important `waiting-point' in the In isotopic chain for neutron densities in the range n$_n \simeq 10^{24}$--10$^{26}$ n/cm$^3$, where the r-matter flow has already passed the ${\rm A} \simeq 130$ abundance-peak region.

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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.

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β−decay of the neutron-rich isotope215Pb

This Brief Report reports on the first observation of the β--delayed γ decay of 215Pb, feeding states in 215Bi. The 215Pb beam was produced using resonant laser ionization and mass separated at the ISOLDE-CERN on-line mass separator. This ensured clean identification of the γ rays as belonging to the decay of 215Pb or its β-decay daughters. A half-life of 147(12) s was measured for the 215Pb β decay and a level scheme for the daughter nucleus 215Bi is proposed, resulting in an extended systematics of the excited states of the neutron-rich Bi isotopes.

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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.

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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.

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First observation of the β-decay of neutron-rich 215Pb and 218Bi by the pulsed-release technique and resonant laser ionisation

The neutron-rich Tl, Pb and Bi isotopes are of exceptional interest to trace the evolution of single-particle levels away from the doubly magic 208Pb towards the neutron-rich side of the nuclear chart. While 208Pb is well understood in terms of the shell model, experimental data on the heavier isotopes is very scarce and it is far from clear to what extent the shell model is upheld [1]. Furthermore, large branchings ratios for β-delayed neutron emission are expected in this mass region, adding astrophysical interest to the subject [2].

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