Single and Double Beta-DecayQValues among the TripletZr96,Nb96, andMo96

The atomic mass relations among the mass triplet ^{96}Zr, ^{96}Nb, and ^{96}Mo have been determined by means of high-precision mass measurements using the JYFLTRAP mass spectrometer at the IGISOL facility of the University of Jyvaskyla. We report Q values for the ^{96}Zr single and double β decays to ^{96}Nb and ^{96}Mo, as well as the Q value for the ^{96}Nb single β decay to ^{96}Mo, which are Q_{β}(^{96}Zr)=163.96(13), Q_{ββ}(^{96}Zr)=3356.097(86), and Q_{β}(^{96}Nb)=3192.05(16)  keV. Of special importance is the ^{96}Zr single β-decay Q value, which has never been determined directly. The single β decay, whose main branch is fourfold unique forbidden, is an alternative decay path to the…

Nuclear Shape Transitions and Some Properties of Aligned-Particle Configurations at High Spin

Two topics are addressed in this paper. First, we discuss the variation of shapes with spin and neutron number for nuclei in the N approx. = 88 transitional region. Second, we present comments on the feeding times of very high spin single-particle yrast states.

Precision Ga71–Ge71 mass-difference measurement

Abstract The Ga 71 ( ν e , e − ) Ge 71 reaction Q value has been measured with the JYFLTRAP mass spectrometer at the IGISOL facility of the University of Jyvaskyla to Q  = 232.443(93) keV. This value agrees with previous measurements, though it features a much higher accuracy. The Q value is being discussed in the context of the solar neutrino capture rate in Ga 71 .

Neutrinoless ββ nuclear matrix elements using isovector spin-dipole Jπ = 2− data

Ground-state-to-ground-state neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decays in nuclei of current experimental interest are revisited. In order to improve the reliability of the nuclear matrix element (NME) calculations for the light Majorana-neutrino mode, the NMEs are calculated by exploiting the newly available data on isovector spin-dipole (IVSD) Jπ=2− giant resonances. In order to correctly describe the IVSD up to and beyond the giant-resonance region, the present computations are performed in extended no-core single-particle model spaces using the spherical version of the proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation (pnQRPA) with two-nucleon interactions based on the Bonn one-boson-…

Charge breeding rare isotopes for high precision mass measurements: challenges and opportunities

Ion charge breeding for Penning-trap mass spectrometry has been established as providing a precision increase that scales linearly with the charge state of the ion. Fast and efficient charge breeding is a precondition for the application of this approach to rare isotopes. However, in view of low yields and short half-lives the precision boost is partly compromised by unavoidable ion losses inherent to the charge breeding process. The mass spectrometer TRIUMFs ion trap for atomic and nuclear science is pioneering this field by coupling a Penning trap and an electron beam ion trap to the rare-isotope beam facility ISAC at TRIUMF. Here we present simulations that calculate and maximize the eff…

Charge-exchange reactions on double-βdecaying nuclei populatingJπ=2−states

The $(\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{3}\mathrm{He},t)$ charge-exchange reaction populating ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ states has been examined at 420 MeV incident energy for a series of double-$\ensuremath{\beta}$ decaying nuclei, i.e., $^{76}\mathrm{Ge}$, $^{82}\mathrm{Se}$, $^{96}\mathrm{Zr}$, $^{100}\mathrm{Mo}$, $^{128}\mathrm{Te}$, $^{130}\mathrm{Te}$, and $^{136}\mathrm{Xe}$. The measurements were carried out at the Grand Raiden spectrometer of the Research Center for Nuclear Physics at the University Osaka with typical spectral resolution of 30--40 keV. It is found that the charge-exchange reaction leading to ${2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ spin-dipole states is selective to…

High-resolution (3He,t) reaction on the double-βdecaying nucleus136Xe

A (${}^{3}\text{He},t$) charge-exchange reaction experiment on the double-beta decaying nucleus ${}^{136}$Xe has been performed at an incident energy of 420 MeV with the objective to measure the Gamow-Teller (GT) strength distribution in ${}^{136}$Cs. The measurements have been carried out at the dispersion-matched WS beam line and the Grand Raiden spectrometer of the Research Center for Nuclear Physics in Osaka, where an energy resolution of 42 keV was achieved. A new gas cell with thin windows made of polyethylene naphthalate has been employed as a target. The extracted GT strength distribution is confronted with the rather long $2\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\beta}$ deca…

The (150)Nd((3)He,t) and (150)Sm(t,(3)He) reactions with applications to beta beta decay of (150)Nd

The Nd-150(3He,t) reaction at 140 MeV/u and Sm-150(t,He-3) reaction at 115 MeV/u were measured, populating excited states in Pm-150. The transitions studied populate intermediate states of importance for the (neutrinoless) beta beta decay of Nd-150 to Sm-150. Monopole and dipole contributions to the measured excitation-energy spectra were extracted by using multipole decomposition analyses. The experimental results were compared with theoretical calculations obtained within the framework of the quasiparticle random-phase approximation, which is one of the main methods employed for estimating the half-life of the neutrinoless beta beta decay (0 nu beta beta) of Nd-150. The present results th…

Search for magnetic monopoles with the MoEDAL forward trapping detector in 2.11 fb −1 of 13 TeV proton–proton collisions at the LHC

We update our previous search for trapped magnetic monopoles in LHC Run 2 using nearly six times more integrated luminosity and including additional models for the interpretation of the data. The MoEDAL forward trapping detector, comprising 222 kg of aluminium samples, was exposed to 2.11 fb−1 of 13 TeV proton–proton collisions near the LHCb interaction point and analysed by searching for induced persistent currents after passage through a superconducting magnetometer. Magnetic charges equal to the Dirac charge or above are excluded in all samples. The results are interpreted in Drell–Yan production models for monopoles with spins 0, 1/2 and 1: in addition to standard point-like couplings, …

Charge-exchange reactions on double-β decaying nuclei populating Jπ=2− states

The (3He,t) charge-exchange reaction populating Jπ=2− states has been examined at 420 MeV incident energy for a series of double-β decaying nuclei, i.e., 76Ge, 82Se, 96Zr, 100Mo, 128Te, 130Te, and 136Xe. The measurements were carried out at the Grand Raiden spectrometer of the Research Center for Nuclear Physics at the University Osaka with typical spectral resolution of 30–40 keV. It is found that the charge-exchange reaction leading to 2− spin-dipole states is selective to the στ part of the interaction much similar to the observed selectivity to Gamow-Teller transitions. In the present case, the ΔL=1 peak cross sections at finite momentum transfers are used to extract the spin-isospin pa…

Neutrinoless ββ nuclear matrix elements using isovector spin-dipole Jπ=2− data

TheNd150(He3,t) andSm150(t,He3) reactions with applications toββdecay ofNd150

The {sup 150}Nd({sup 3}He,t) reaction at 140 MeV/u and {sup 150}Sm(t,{sup 3}He) reaction at 115 MeV/u were measured, populating excited states in {sup 150}Pm. The transitions studied populate intermediate states of importance for the (neutrinoless) {beta}{beta} decay of {sup 150}Nd to {sup 150}Sm. Monopole and dipole contributions to the measured excitation-energy spectra were extracted by using multipole decomposition analyses. The experimental results were compared with theoretical calculations obtained within the framework of the quasiparticle random-phase approximation, which is one of the main methods employed for estimating the half-life of the neutrinoless {beta}{beta} decay (0{nu}{b…

Half-life ofTi44

The half-life of $^{44}\mathrm{Ti}$ has been measured to be ${T}_{\frac{1}{2}}=54.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.1$ yr, somewhat higher than previously published values of 46.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.7 and 48.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9 yr. The present value was obtained from the specific activity and the radioisotope concentration of several Ti${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ samples, each spiked with a $^{44}\mathrm{Ti}$ activity of about 1.2 \ensuremath{\mu}Ci. The specific activity was measured via the 1157 keV $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ line from the decay of the $^{44}\mathrm{Sc}$ daughter. $^{44}\mathrm{Ti}$/Ti concentrations were measured with the Argonne FN tandem accelerator in conjunctio…

The physics programme of the MoEDAL experiment at the LHC

The MoEDAL experiment at Point 8 of the LHC ring is the seventh and newest LHC experiment. It is dedicated to the search for highly ionizing particle avatars of physics beyond the Standard Model, extending significantly the discovery horizon of the LHC. A MoEDAL discovery would have revolutionary implications for our fundamental understanding of the Microcosm. MoEDAL is an unconventional and largely passive LHC detector comprised of the largest array of Nuclear Track Detector stacks ever deployed at an accelerator, surrounding the intersection region at Point 8 on the LHC ring. Another novel feature is the use of paramagnetic trapping volumes to capture both electrically and magnetically ch…

Precision 71Ga – 71Ge mass-difference measurement

The 71Ga(νe, e−) 71Ge reaction Q value has been measured with the JYFLTRAP mass spectrometer at the IGISOL facility of the University of Jyv¨askyl¨a to Q = 232.443(93) keV. This value agrees with previous measurements, though it features a much higher accuracy. The Q value is being discussed in the context of the solar neutrino capture rate in 71Ga. peerReviewed

Search for Magnetic Monopoles with the MoEDAL Forward Trapping Detector in 13 TeV Proton-Proton Collisions at the LHC

MoEDAL is designed to identify new physics in the form of long-lived highly-ionising particles produced in high-energy LHC collisions. Its arrays of plastic nuclear-track detectors and aluminium trapping volumes provide two independent passive detection techniques. We present here the results of a first search for magnetic monopole production in 13 TeV proton-proton collisions using the trapping technique, extending a previous publication with 8 TeV data during LHC run-1. A total of 222 kg of MoEDAL trapping detector samples was exposed in the forward region and analysed by searching for induced persistent currents after passage through a superconducting magnetometer. Magnetic charges excee…

Search for magnetic monopoles with the MoEDAL prototype trapping detector in 8 TeV proton-proton collisions at the LHC

The MoEDAL experiment is designed to search for magnetic monopoles and other highly-ionising particles produced in high-energy collisions at the LHC. The largely passive MoEDAL detector, deployed at Interaction Point 8 on the LHC ring, relies on two dedicated direct detection techniques. The first technique is based on stacks of nuclear-track detectors with surface area $\sim$18 m$^2$, sensitive to particle ionisation exceeding a high threshold. These detectors are analysed offline by optical scanning microscopes. The second technique is based on the trapping of charged particles in an array of roughly 800 kg of aluminium samples. These samples are monitored offline for the presence of trap…

The $^{150}$Nd($^3$He,$t$) and $^{150}$Sm($t$,$^3$He) reactions with applications to $\beta\beta$ decay of $^{150}$Nd

The $^{150}$Nd($^3$He,$t$) reaction at 140 MeV/u and $^{150}$Sm($t$,$^3$He) reaction at 115 MeV/u were measured, populating excited states in $^{150}$Pm. The transitions studied populate intermediate states of importance for the (neutrinoless) $\beta\beta$ decay of $^{150}$Nd to $^{150}$Sm. Monopole and dipole contributions to the measured excitation-energy spectra were extracted by using multipole decomposition analyses. The experimental results were compared with theoretical calculations obtained within the framework of Quasiparticle Random-Phase Approximation (QRPA), which is one of the main methods employed for estimating the half-life of the neutrinoless $\beta\beta$ decay ($0\nu\beta\…