Possibilities for Underground Physics in the Pyh\"asalmi mine

The Pyh\"asalmi mine is uniquely suited to host new generation of large-scale underground experiments. It was chosen both by the LAGUNA-LBNO and by the LENA Collaboration as the preferred site for a giant neutrino observatory. Regrettably, none of these projects got funded. The termination of the underground excavations in the fall of 2019 marks an important milestone. To maintain the infrastructure in good condition a new sponsor must be found: either a large-scale scientific project or new commercial operation. The considered alternatives for the commercial used of the mine include a pumped-storage hydroelectricity plant and a high-security underground data-storage centre. Without a new s…

Measurement of the $2^+\rightarrow 0^+$ ground-state transition in the $\beta$ decay of $^{20}$F

We report the first detection of the second-forbidden, non-unique, $2^+\rightarrow 0^+$, ground-state transition in the $\beta$ decay of $^{20}$F. A low-energy, mass-separated $^{20}\rm{F}^+$ beam produced at the IGISOL facility in Jyv\"askyl\"a, Finland, was implanted in a thin carbon foil and the $\beta$ spectrum measured using a magnetic transporter and a plastic-scintillator detector. The $\beta$-decay branching ratio inferred from the measurement is $b_{\beta} = [ 0.41\pm 0.08\textrm{(stat)}\pm 0.07\textrm{(sys)}] \times 10^{-5}$ corresponding to $\log ft = 10.89(11)$, making this one of the strongest second-forbidden, non-unique $\beta$ transitions ever measured. The experimental resu…

Recoil isomer tagging in the proton-rich odd-odd N = 77 isotones, 142Tb and 144Ho

A fusion-evaporation reaction has been employed to search for isomeric states in the near-proton drip-line N577 isotones, 65 142Tb and 67 144Ho. The recoiling nuclei were implanted into a silicon detector at the focal plane of a gas-filled separator, where a recoil isomer tagging technique was employed to correlate prompt and delayed g-ray transitions across isomeric states. New states were observed to be built upon a known 15-ms isomer in 142Tb and the feeding and decay of a new 500(20)-ns isomeric state was established in 144Ho. This measurement represents the first observation of excited states in 144Ho. The behavior of the new states above the isomers suggests that they are built upon l…

Recoil isomer tagging in the proton-rich odd-oddN=77isotones, 65142Tband 67144Ho

Feasibility and physics potential of detecting $^8$B solar neutrinos at JUNO

The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) features a 20 kt multi-purpose underground liquid scintillator sphere as its main detector. Some of JUNO's features make it an excellent location for 8B solar neutrino measurements, such as its low-energy threshold, high energy resolution compared with water Cherenkov detectors, and much larger target mass compared with previous liquid scintillator detectors. In this paper, we present a comprehensive assessment of JUNO's potential for detecting 8B solar neutrinos via the neutrino-electron elastic scattering process. A reduced 2 MeV threshold for the recoil electron energy is found to be achievable, assuming that the intrinsic radioactive …

Measurement of the 2+--0+ ground-state transition in the ß decay of 20F

12 pags., 16 figs., 4 tabs.

Optimization of the JUNO liquid scintillator composition using a Daya Bay antineutrino detector

To maximize the light yield of the liquid scintillator (LS) for the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), a 20 t LS sample was produced in a pilot plant at Daya Bay. The optical properties of the new LS in various compositions were studied by replacing the gadolinium-loaded LS in one antineutrino detector. The concentrations of the fluor, PPO, and the wavelength shifter, bis-MSB, were increased in 12 steps from 0.5 g/L and <0.01 mg/L to 4 g/L and 13 mg/L, respectively. The numbers of total detected photoelectrons suggest that, with the optically purified solvent, the bis-MSB concentration does not need to be more than 4 mg/L. To bridge the one order of magnitude in the detect…

Measurement of the 2+→0+ ground-state transition in the β decay of 20F

We report the first detection of the second-forbidden, nonunique, 2+→0+, ground-state transition in the β decay of 20F. A low-energy, mass-separated 20F+ beam produced at the IGISOL facility in Jyväskylä, 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…

In-beam spectroscopy using the JYFL gas-filled magnetic recoil separator RITU

The techniques of recoil-gating and recoil-decay tagging have been employed at Jyvaskyla to perform in-beam γ-ray and electron spectroscopy studies of heavy nuclei. The JUROSPHERE γ-ray array and the SACRED electron spectrometer have been placed at the target position of the JYFL gas-filled recoil separator recoil ion transport unit (RITU). The RITU separator has been used to collect the recoils of interest and separate them from beam particles and fission products. At the focal plane a detector system consisting of time-of-flight and implantation detectors has been used for further event identification. The method and some highlights from the results in the lead region close to the proton …

The design of a new gas-filled separator at JYFL

Abstract A new gas-filled recoil separator, intended mainly for the study of reaction products in mass region of 100–200 produced in symmetric or nearly symmetric reactions, is under design at the Department of Physics in the University of Jyvaskyla. The separator will be of the type DQQ where a horizontally focusing dipole (D) is followed by a quadrupole (Q) doublet. The bending radius of the dipole magnet will be 1850 mm and the bending angle 50°.

Primary-residue production cross sections and kinetic energies in 1AGeV 208Pb on deuteron reactions

Abstract The production cross sections and the kinematical properties of primary residual nuclei have been studied in the reaction 208 Pb(1  A  GeV)+d. Isotopic distributions were measured for all elements from titanium ( Z =22) to lead ( Z =82). The measured kinematical properties of the residues were also used to disentangle the relevant reaction mechanisms, spallation–evaporation and spallation–fission. The fragment separator FRS at GSI, Darmstadt, was used to separate and identify the reaction products. The measured quantities are important for the design and planning of future radioactive-beam facilities and accelerator-driven systems. The measured data of the present work are comprehe…

Gamma-ray spectroscopy of 192–195Po

Prompt and delayed γ-rays have been observed from very neutron deficient 192–195Po nuclei by using the recoil-decay tagging (RDT) and recoil gating techniques. The yrast levels up to the (10+) state in the 192Po were identified for the first time. Comprehensive data for 194Po rendered it possible to extend the yrast line and to observe several positive and negative parity non-yrast states. In the odd-mass isotopes 193Po and 195Po, favoured and unfavoured states on top of the 13/2+ state have been identified. The results are discussed within the simple vibrator and rotor pictures as well as in the framework of coexisting spherical and deformed-intruder structures.

Fine structure in -decay and shape coexistence in

Excited states in populated in the -decay of have been identified through -particle-conversion electron coincidences. The level scheme has been interpreted using a configuration mixing calculation, providing estimates of the mixing matrix elements, mixing amplitudes and the energies of unperturbed and unobserved levels.

DM-like anomalies in neutron multiplicity spectra

Abstract A new experiment collects data, since November 2019, at a depth of 210 m.w.e. in the Callio Lab in the Pyhasalmi mine in Finland. The setup, called NEMESIS (New Emma MEasurementS Including neutronS), incorporates infrastructure from the EMMA experiment with neutron and large-area plastic scintillator detectors. The experiment’s primary aim is to combine muon tracking with position-sensitive neutron detection to measure precision yields, multiplicities, and lateral distributions of high-multiplicity neutron events induced by cosmic muons in various materials. The data are relevant for background evaluation of the deep-underground searches for Dark Matter (DM), neutrino-less double b…

Calibration strategy of the JUNO experiment

We present the calibration strategy for the 20 kton liquid scintillator central detector of the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO). By utilizing a comprehensive multiple-source and multiple-positional calibration program, in combination with a novel dual calorimetry technique exploiting two independent photosensors and readout systems, we demonstrate that the JUNO central detector can achieve a better than 1% energy linearity and a 3% effective energy resolution, required by the neutrino mass ordering determination. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Investigation of nuclear collectivity in the neutron mid-shell nucleusPb186

For the first time, non-yrast structures of the neutron mid-shell nucleus $^{186}\mathrm{Pb}$ have been identified in an in-beam \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray spectroscopy measurement using the recoil-decay tagging technique. The yrast band has been tentatively extended up to ${I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=20{}^{+},$ revealing a similar backbend to that observed in the Pt and Hg isotones. Three new bands and several other transitions have been observed. Calculations carried out in the framework of the interacting boson model together with mean-field studies using the generator coordinate method provide arguments for the association of one of the new bands with an oblate shape. The present data also show…

Underground multimuon experiment in the Pyhäsalmi mine

An experiment to observe simultaneous, multiple muon events originating from extensive air showers is under preparation. The experiment will be situated in shallow depths in the Pyhasalmi mine in Finland, where the existing free caverns will be used. The aim is to cover an area of about 200 - 300 m(2). The detection of the multimuon events is motivated by partly unknown composition of the primary cosmic rays in the energy region of 10(15) - 10(16) eV, i.e. the 'knee' region. A prototype detector is under construction and is expected to be running at the spring 2005.

Evidence for oblate structure inPb186

In-beam $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence data have been collected for $^{186}\mathrm{Pb}$ by combining the JUROGAM Ge-detector array and the GREAT spectrometer with the RITU gas-filled recoil separator for recoil-decay tagging measurements. In addition to the known prolate yrast band in $^{186}\mathrm{Pb}$, these data have enabled a new low-lying side band to be identified. Based on the analysis of its decay pattern and comparison with Interacting Boson Model (IBM) calculations, the new band is associated with an oblate shape.

Measuring the 14C content in liquid scintillators

We are going to perform a series of measurements where the 14C/12C ratio will be measured from several liquid scintillator samples with a dedicated setup. The setup is designed with the aim of measuring ratios smaller than 10−18. Measurements take place in two underground laboratories: in the Baksan Neutrino Observatory, Russia and in the Pyh¨asalmi mine, Finland. In Baksan the measurements started in 2015 and in Pyh¨asalmi they start in the beginning of 2015. In order to fully understand the operation of the setup and its background contributions a development of simulation packages has also been started. Low-energy neutrino detection with a liquid scintillator requires that the intrinsic …

Underground investigation of extensive air showers spectra at high energy range of cosmic rays and other research in the Pyhäsalmi mine

Abstract High energy particles reaching the Earth’s atmosphere are known as cosmic rays. As a result of interactions with nuclei of air molecules, cosmic rays induce showers of secondary particles, which can be divided into 3 components: electromagnetic, hadronic and muonic components. The Experiment with Multi Muon Array (EMMA), located at the depth of 75 m in the Pyhäsalmi mine in Finland, investigates the muonic component of the Extensive Air Showers (EAS) to deduce the direction, energy, and the mass of the primary cosmic ray particles. In this paper we give a concise description and methodology used by EMMA followed by a brief review of the C14 experiment. Finally, we review the feasib…

Experimental study of fragmentation products in the reactions112Sn+112Snand124Sn+124Snat 1AGeV

Production cross sections and longitudinal velocity distributions of the projectilelike residues produced in the reactions ${}^{112}\text{Sn}+{}^{112}\text{Sn}$ and ${}^{124}\text{Sn}+{}^{124}\text{Sn}$, both at an incident beam energy of 1$A$ GeV, were measured with the high-resolution magnetic spectrometer, the Fragment Separator of GSI. For both reactions the characteristics of the velocity distributions and nuclide production cross sections were determined for residues with atomic number $Z\ensuremath{\ge}10$. A comparison of the results of the two reactions is presented.

Fine structure in the alpha decays of 226U and 230Pu

The nuclei 226U and 230Pu have been populated via reactions involving 208Pb targets bombarded by 22Ne and 26Mg projectiles. Fusion-evaporation residues were separated in-flight using a gas-filled recoil separator. A position-sensitive Si-strip detector was employed at the focal plane in order to identify correlated α-decay chains. Two fine structure α-decay lines have been observed. The first, with an energy of 7385(5) keV, is assigned as the α decay from 226U to the first excited 2+ state of 222Th. The second line, observed for the first time in this work, has an energy of 6961(30) keV and is assigned as the α decay from 230Pu to the first excited 2+ state of 226U. The excitation energy of…

Low-lying structure of light radon isotopes

The excited states in the neutron-deficient isotopes Rn have been populated using the Er(Ar,4n), Er(Ar,4n), and Er(Ar,4n) reactions at beam energies of 175, 182, and 177 MeV, respectively. Evaporation residues were selected using an in-flight gas-filled separator and implanted at the focal plane into a 16-element position-sensitive, passivated ion-implanted planar silicon detector. Prompt γ rays were observed at the target position using an array of Compton-suppressed germanium detectors. Correlation with the subsequent radioactive decay of associated recoiling ions in the silicon detector, recoil-γ and recoil-γ-γ coincidences were used to construct decay schemes of light radon isotopes. Me…

EMMA - A New Underground Cosmic-Ray Experiment

A new type of cosmic-ray experiment is under construction in the Pyh\"asalmi mine in the underground laboratory of the University of Oulu, Finland. It aims to study the composition of cosmic rays at and above the knee region. The experiment, called EMMA, will cover approximately 150 square-metres of detector area. The array is capable of measuring the multiplicity and the lateral distribution of underground muons, and the arrival direction of the air shower. The full-size detector is expected to run by the end of 2007.

Alpha decay study of 218U; a search for the sub-shell closure at Z=92

Neutron-deficient uranium isotopes were studied via α spectroscopic methods. A low-lying α-decaying isomeric state was found in 218U. The new isomeric state was assigned spin and parity I π = 8+. The isomer decays by α emission with an energy E = 10678(17) keV and with a half-life T 1/2 = (0.56 -0.14 +0.26 ) ms. The known alpha-decay properties of the ground state of 218U was measured with improved statistics. The ground-state α-decay has an energy E = 8612(9) keV and a half-life T 1/2 = (0.51 -0.10 +0.17 ) ms.

Calculation of total muon flux observed by Muon Monitor experiment

An approach to calculate the flux of cosmicgenic muons detected by Muon Monitor experiment in lab LAB2400 of the Underground Laboratory in Canfranc (LSC) is described. The measuring apparatus consists of three layers of SC16 scintillation matrix detectors. The hardware function of the detector assembly was determined using computer simulation. Obtained value of the total muon ux turned out to be equal to (4.35 ± 0.2) × 10−3 m −2 s −1. peerReviewed

Fine structure in Po α-decay and shape coexistence in Pb

Abstract Excited Jπ=0+ states in 188 Pb populated in the α-decay of 192 Po have been identified through α-particle/conversion electron coincidences. α-particle energies and branching ratios have been measured, and hindrance factors deduced. The level scheme has been fitted using a configuration mixing calculation, providing estimates of the mixing matrix elements, mixing amplitudes and the energies of unperturbed and unobserved levels.

Recoil-isomer tagging techniques at RITU

Techniques have been developed to study isomeric states in nuclei with the use of RITU (gas filled separator) at the University of Jyvaskyla. The first was the recoil-isomer tagging technique initially, utilised by D.M. Cullen to study the K π = 8− isomeric state in 138Gd [1]. The juro-sphere array was employed in conjunction with ritu and a focal plane array which consisted of several Compton-suppressed Germanium detectors, placed in close geometry around a multi wire proportional counter (mwpc) and a silicon strip detector used for the implantation of recoiling nuclei. This technique correlates prompt and delayed γ-ray transitions across isomeric states and identifies the lifetime of the …

αdecay of the new isotope206Ac

The new neutron-deficient nuclide {sup 206}Ac was produced by bombarding a {sup 175}Lu target with 5.5 MeV/nucleon {sup 36}Ar ions. The evaporation residues were separated in flight by a gas-filled separator and subsequently identified by the {alpha}-{alpha} position and time correlation method. {sup 206}Ac was found to have two {alpha} particle emitting isomeric levels with half-lives of (22{sub {minus}5}{sup +9}) ms and (33{sub {minus}9}{sup +22}) ms, and with {alpha} particle energies of (7790{plus_minus}30) keV and (7750{plus_minus}20) keV, respectively. The former isomer is tentatively assigned to a J{sup {pi}}=3{sup +} level and the latter to a J{sup {pi}}=10{sup {minus}} level, both …

Theia: an advanced optical neutrino detector

The European physical journal. C, Particles and fields 80(5), 416 (2020). doi:10.1140/epjc/s10052-020-7977-8

First observation of excited states inPo192

\ensuremath{\gamma} rays following the $^{160}\mathrm{Dy}$${(}^{36}$Ar,4n${)}^{192}$Po reaction have been identified by employing a high-transmission gas-filled separator in recoil decay tagging measurements. The deduced level scheme reveals a flattening of the energy systematics, when going towards the neutron midshell indicating that the deformed intruder structures have become yrast. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.

Experiments on Fission Dynamics with Relativistic Heavy-ion Beams

[Abstract] At GSI, Darmstadt, an experimental program on fission with relativistic heavy-ion beams is in progress. A large range of excitation energies, combined with low angular momentum and small shape distortion is accessible. Full nuclide identification of the reaction residues is achieved by applying inverse kinematics. The nuclide production and the kinematics of fission fragments from a variety of primordial and radioactive projectiles reveal new insight into the influence of shell effects and dissipation on the fission process. The present contribution gives an overview on the experimental methods, the experimental results and the prospects for future progress.

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.

Investigations into the alpha-decay of 195At

The low-energy nuclear structure and decay properties of the neutron-deficient isotopes 195At and 191Bi have been studied. 195At was produced in the reaction 142Nd(56Fe,p2n)195At and 191Bi as the daughter activity of 195At. The activities were implanted in a position-sensitive silicon detector after being separated from the primary beam by a gas-filled recoil separator. The 1/2+ intruder state was determined to be the ground state in 195At with an alpha-decay energy of E α = 6953(3) keV and a half-life T 1/2 = 328(20) ms. Another state with an alpha-decay energy E α = 7075(4) keV and a half-life T 1/2 = 147(5) ms was found to decay to a 148.7(5) keV excited state in 191Bi for which a spin a…

Decay studies ofAu170,171,Hg171–173, andTl176

The $^{170,171}\mathrm{Au}$ isotopes were produced in the fusion-evaporation reaction of a $^{78}\mathrm{Kr}$ ion beam with a $^{96}\mathrm{Ru}$ target. For $^{170}\mathrm{Au}$ the proton and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ emission from the ground state were observed for the first time and the decay of the isomeric state was measured with improved accuracy. In addition, the decay of $^{171}\mathrm{Au}$ was measured with high statistics. A new $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-emitting nucleus $^{171}\mathrm{Hg}$ and the previously known $^{172}\mathrm{Hg}$ and $^{167,168,169,170}\mathrm{Pt}$ isotopes were also studied. The ground-state proton emission was identified for a new proton emitter $^{176}\mathrm{Tl}$ …

Combined sensitivity to the neutrino mass ordering with JUNO, the IceCube Upgrade, and PINGU

Physical review / D 101(3), 032006 (1-19) (2020). doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.101.032006

LBNO-DEMO: Large-scale neutrino detector demonstrators for phased performance assessment in view of a long-baseline oscillation experiment

In June 2012, an Expression of Interest for a long-baseline experiment (LBNO) has been submitted to the CERN SPSC. LBNO considers three types of neutrino detector technologies: a double-phase liquid argon (LAr) TPC and a magnetised iron detector as far detectors. For the near detector, a high-pressure gas TPC embedded in a calorimeter and a magnet is the baseline design. A mandatory milestone is a concrete prototyping effort towards the envisioned large-scale detectors, and an accompanying campaign of measurements aimed at assessing the detector associated systematic errors. The proposed $6\times 6\times 6$m$^3$ DLAr is an industrial prototype of the design discussed in the EoI and scalable…

Measurement of the 2+→0+ ground-state transition in the β decay of F 20

| openaire: EC/H2020/654002/EU//ENSAR2 We report the first detection of the second-forbidden, nonunique, 2(+) -> 0(+), ground-state transition in the beta decay of F-20. 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 beta spectrum measured using a magnetic transporter and a plastic-scintillator detector. The beta-decay branching ratio inferred from the measurement is b(beta) = [0.41 +/- 0.08(stat) +/- 0.07(sys)] x 10(-5) corresponding to log ft = 10.89(11), making this one of the strongest second-forbidden, nonunique beta transitions ever measured. The experimental result is supported by shell-mode…

Neutrino Flavor Sensitivity of Large Liquid Scintillator Detectors

Scintillator detectors are known for their good light yield, energy resolution, timing characteristics and pulse shape discrimination capabilities. These features make the next-generation liquid scintillation detector LENA[1] (Low Energy Neutrino Astronomy) the optimal choice for a wide range of astro-particle topics including supernova-, solar-, and geo neutrinos. In addition to the excellent calorimetric and timing properties, scintillartor detectors (LSDs) are also capable of topology reconstruction sufficient to discriminate with adequate efficiency between electron and muon neutrino induced charge current events and neutral current events in the GeV energy range. This feature makes LEN…

Recoil Isomer Tagging on Proton-Rich Odd–Odd N=77 Isotones 142Tb and 144Ho

The isomeric structure of the N=77 isotones 14265Tb and 14467Ho have been studied with the 92Mo(54Fe, xpn) fusion evaporation reaction at the University of Jyväskylä. The Jurospehere II germanium array was employed in conjunction with the RITU gas filled recoil separator. The feeding and decay of a 500(20) ns isomeric state in 144Ho has been established for the first time together with states built upon the known 15 μs isomer in 142Tb. The behavior of these new structures above the isomers suggest that they are low deformation configurations which display signs of triaxiality. peerReviewed

Measurement of the 2 + → 0 + ground-state transition in the β decay of F 20

Reactor neutrino background at the proposed LAGUNA sites

Abstract The electron antineutrino background from reactors is estimated in proposed LAGUNA sites using commercial fission reactors operational in 2009. Calculations are made for an input to background studies like e.g. geoneutrino measurement uncertainty estimation.

Geiger mode APD’s for the underground cosmic ray experiment EMMA

NEMESIS Setup for Indirect Detection of WIMPs

We summarize the evidence for DM-like anomalies in neutron multiplicity spectra collected underground with Pb targets by three independent experiments: NEMESIS (at 210 m.w.e.) NMDS (at 583 m.w.e.), and ZEPLIN-II (at 2850 m.w.e.). A new analysis shows small but persistent anomalies at high neutron multiplicities. Adjusted for differences in detection efficiencies, the positions of the anomalies are consistent between the three systems. Also, the intensities match when corrected for the acquisition time and estimated detection efficiency. While the three measurements are inconclusive when analyzed separately, together, they exclude a statistical fluke to better than one in a million. To prove…

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…

Isomeric states in proton-unbound 187, 189Bi isotopes

Prompt and delayed gamma-ray spectroscopy of very neutron-deficient bismuth isotopes 187, 189Bi has been performed using the Recoil Decay Tagging (RTD) method. The isomeric i 13/2 states have been identified and their lifetimes have been measured. The systematics of these long-lived M2 isomers has been extended to the proton-unbound isotopes. The general behaviour of single-proton states is discussed within the systematics and interpreted within the shell-model framework.

Recent applications of the JYFL gas-filled recoil separator

Abstract The gas-filled recoil separator RITU at the Department of Physics, University of Jyvaskyla (JYFL) was constructed in 1992–1993, and the first experiments were performed in late 1993. RITU differs from other gas-filled separators by having a vertically focusing quadrupole magnet in front of the separating dipole for better matching with the dipole acceptance. New results from RITU include the discovery of 13 previously unpublished isotopes of At, Rn, Fr, Ra, Ac and Th, while experiments in the transuranium region have also been made. Illustrative examples from these studies together with results on background properties, efficiency of separation, and other performance data will be p…

Towards 14C-free liquid scintillator

A series of measurements has been started where the 14C concentration is determined from several liquid scintillator samples. A dedicated setup has been designed and constructed with the aim of measuring concentrations smaller than 10−18. Measurements take place in two underground laboratories: in the Baksan Neutrino Observatory, Russia, and in the new Callio Lab in the Pyhäsalmi mine, Finland. Low-energy neutrino detection with a liquid scintillator requires that the intrinsic 14C concentration in the liquid is extremely low. In the Borexino CTF detector the concentration of 2 × 10−18 has been achieved being the lowest value ever measured. In principle, the older the oil or gas source that…

Decay and in-beam studies of neutron-deficient Po and Ra isotopes at JYFL

An extensive program to study the production, decay properties, and nuclear structure of very neutron-deficient polonium and radium nuclei is underway at the Department of Physics, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland (JYFL). The main tools used in these studies are the gas-filled recoil separator RITU and various germanium gamma-ray arrays. In the course of these studies, among others the following new isotopes have been produced: Ra-204, Ra-203, and Ra-202. Isomeric alpha decaying states have been discovered in Ra-203 and Po-191. Fine structure in the decay of Po-192 to the oblate and prolate band heads in Pb-188 has been observed. In-beam gamma-ray spectra have been, for the first time, meas…

Neutrino oscillometry at the next generation neutrino observatory

The large next generation liquid-scintillator detector LENA (Low Energy Neutrino Astronomy) offers an excellent opportunity for neutrino oscillometry. The characteristic spatial pattern of very low monoenergetic neutrino disappearance from artificial radioactive sources can be detected within the long length of detector. Sufficiently strong sources of more than 1 MCi activity can be produced at nuclear reactors. Oscillometry will provide a unique tool for precise determination of the mixing parameters for both active and sterile neutrinos within the broad mass region 0.01 - 2 (eV)^2. LENA can be considered as a versatile tool for a careful investigation of neutrino oscillations.

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…

Measurements of Spallation Residues Using Inverse Kinematics at GSI

The production cross sections and the kinematical properties of primary residual nuclei have been studied in reactions 197Au + p, 208Pb + p, d, 238U + p, d, and 238U + 208Pb at energies around 1 A GeV. The measured kinematical properties of the residues were also used to disentangle the relevant reaction mechanisms, spallation-evaporation and spallation-fission. The fragment separator FRS at GSI, Darmstadt, was used to separate and identify the reaction products. The measured quantities are important for the design and planning of future radioactive-beam facilities and accelerator-driven systems.

Evolution of deformation in the neutron-rich Zr region from excited intruder state to the ground state.

Strong evidence for the existence of previously postulated deformed excited states in $^{98}\mathrm{Zr}_{58}$ has been obtained by an accurate measurement of the ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}^{2}$(${0}_{3}^{+}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${0}_{2}^{+}$) value for the decay of the second excited ${0}^{+}$ state at 1436 keV. In the neighboring isotope $^{99}\mathrm{Zr}_{59}$, at the edge of the region of strong ground-state deformation, evidence is found for a rotational band built on the state at 614 keV. Systematics of the excitation energies of the deformed states in Zr nuclei and their Sr neighbors show that the apparent sudden onset of deformation is explained by the steady lowering of a stro…

αdecay studies of very neutron-deficient francium and radium isotopes

Very neutron-deficient francium and radium isotopes have been produced in fusion evaporation reactions using $^{63}\mathrm{Cu}$ and $^{65}\mathrm{Cu}$ ions on $^{141}\mathrm{Pr}$ targets and $^{36}\mathrm{Ar}$ ions on $^{170}\mathrm{Yb}$ targets. The gas-filled recoil separator RITU was employed to collect the fusion products and to separate them from the scattered beam. The activities were implanted into a position-sensitive silicon detector after passing through a gas-counter system. The isotopes were identified using spatial and time correlations between the implants and decays. Two new \ensuremath{\alpha} decaying radium isotopes, $^{201}\mathrm{Ra}$ and $^{202}\mathrm{Ra}$, were identi…

The features of electronics structure of the multichannel scintillation module for the EMMA experiment

A brief description of the developed structural electric diagrams of 16-channel scintillation module for the underground EMMA experiment, the basic characteristics and parameters of the electrical diagrams of this module are presented. Multi-pixel photodiodes operating in a limited Geiger mode are used for photoreadout of the scintillator detectors in 16-channel scintillation module. The method of the automatic tuning of the photosensors gain based on the stabilization of an average counting rate of the scintillation detectors from gamma rays of a natural radioactive background is described. peerReviewed

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.