0000000001025777
AUTHOR
Joel Kostensalo
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…
A novel experimental system for the KDK measurement of the 40K decay scheme relevant for rare event searches
Potassium-40 ($^{40}$K) is a long-lived, naturally occurring radioactive isotope. The decay products are prominent backgrounds for many rare event searches, including those involving NaI-based scintillators. $^{40}$K also plays a role in geochronological dating techniques. The branching ratio of the electron capture directly to the ground state of argon-40 has never been measured, which can cause difficulty in interpreting certain results or can lead to lack of precision depending on the field and analysis technique. The KDK (Potassium (K) Decay (DK)) collaboration is measuring this decay. A composite method has a silicon drift detector with an enriched, thermally deposited $^{40}$K source …
The gallium anomaly reassessed using a Bayesian approach
The solar-neutrino detectors GALLEX and SAGE were calibrated by electron-neutrino flux from the $^{37}$Ar and $^{51}$Cr calibration sources. A deficit in the measured neutrino flux was recorded by counting the number of neutrino-induced conversions of the $^{71}$Ga nuclei to $^{71}$Ge nuclei. This deficit was coined ``gallium anomaly'' and it has lead to speculations about beyond-the-standard-model physics in the form of eV-mass sterile neutrinos. Notably, this anomaly has already defied final solution for more than 20 years. Here we reassess the statistical significance of this anomaly and improve the related statistical approaches by treating the neutrino experiments as repeated Bernoulli…
Standalone sauna vs exercise followed by sauna on cardiovascular function in non‐naïve sauna users: A comparison of acute effects
Background and aimsSauna bathing and aerobic exercise have each been shown to affect cardiovascular function. However, direct comparisons between standalone sauna bathing and a combination of exercise and sauna on vascular indices remain limited. Therefore, we conducted a cross-over study using matched durations to explore the hemodynamic changes of sauna exposure when compared to a combination of aerobic exercise and sauna exposure.MethodsParticipants (N = 72) with at least one cardiovascular risk factor underwent, on two separate occasions: (a) a 30-minute sauna at 75°C (SAUNA) and (b) the combination of a 15-minute cycling exercise at 75% maximum heart rate followed by 15-minute sauna ex…
Quenching of gA deduced from the β-spectrum shape of 113Cd measured with the COBRA experiment
A dedicated study of the quenching of the weak axial-vector coupling strength $g_{\rm A}$ in nuclear processes has been performed by the COBRA collaboration. This investigation is driven by nuclear model calculations which show that the $\beta$-spectrum shape of the fourfold forbidden non-unique decay of $^{113}$Cd strongly depends on the effective value of $g_{\rm A}$. Using an array of CdZnTe semiconductor detectors, 45 independent $^{113}$Cd spectra were obtained and interpreted in the context of three nuclear models. The resulting effective mean values are $\bar{g}_{\rm A}(\text{ISM}) = 0.915 \pm 0.007$, $\bar{g}_{\rm A}(\text{MQPM}) = 0.911 \pm 0.013$ and $\bar{g}_{\rm A}(\text{IBFM-2}…
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…
Second-forbidden nonunique β− decays of 24Na and 36Cl assessed by the nuclear shell model
We have performed a systematic study of the log f t values, shape factors, and electron spectra for the second-forbidden nonunique β− decays of 24Na(4+) →24Mg(2+) and 36Cl(2+) →36Ar(0+) transitions under the framework of the nuclear shell model. We have performed the shell model calculations in the sd model space, using more recent microscopic effective interactions such as Daejeon16, chiral N3LO, and JISP16. These interactions are derived from the no-core shell model wave functions using Okubo-Lee-Suzuki transformation. For comparison, we have also shown the results obtain from the phenomenological USDB interaction. To test the predictive power of these interactions first we have computed …
gA -driven shapes of electron spectra of forbidden β decays in the nuclear shell model
The evolution of the shape of the electron spectra of 16 forbidden ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ decays as a function of ${g}_{\mathrm{A}}$ was studied using the nuclear shell model in appropriate single-particle model spaces with established, well-tested nuclear Hamiltonians. The $\ensuremath{\beta}$ spectra of $^{94}\mathrm{Nb}({6}^{+})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{94}\mathrm{Mo}({4}^{+})$ and $^{98}\mathrm{Tc}({6}^{+})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{98}\mathrm{Ru}({4}^{+})$ were found to depend strongly on ${g}_{\mathrm{A}}$, which makes them excellent candidates for the determination of the effective value of ${g}_{\mathrm{A}}$ wit…
Electron spectra in forbidden β decays and the quenching of the weak axial-vector coupling constant gA
Evolution of the electron spectra with the effective value of the weak axial-vector coupling constant ${g}_{\mathrm{A}}$ was followed for 26 first-, second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-forbidden ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ decays of odd-$A$ nuclei by calculating the involved nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) in the framework of the microscopic quasiparticle-phonon model (MQPM). The next-to-leading-order terms were included in the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay shape factor of the electron spectra. The spectrum shapes of third- and fourth-forbidden nonunique decays were found to depend strongly on the value of ${g}_{\mathrm{A}}$, while first- and second-forbidden decays were mostly unaff…
Calculated solar-neutrino capture rate for a radiochemical Tl205 -based solar-neutrino detector
Radiochemical experiments for low-energy solar-neutrino detection have been making headlines by exploiting the isotopes $^{37}\mathrm{Cl}$ and $^{71}\mathrm{Ga}$. Such a very low-threshold measurement of this type can also be performed using $^{205}\mathrm{Tl}$, which has been considered for decades for this purpose. A unique feature of this detector nucleus is the integration in the solar-neutrino flux over ${10}^{6}$ of years owing to its long-living daughter $^{205}\mathrm{Pb}$. In this Rapid Communication, we have calculated for the first time the cross section for the charged-current solar-neutrino scattering off $^{205}\mathrm{Tl}$. Taking into account the solar-model-predicted neutri…
Spectral shapes of forbidden argon β decays as background component for rare-event searches
The spectral shape of the electrons from the two first-forbidden unique ${\beta }^{-}$ decays of 39Ar and 42Ar were calculated for the first time to the next-to-leading order. Especially the spectral shape of the 39Ar decay can be used to characterize this background component for dark matter searches based on argon. Alternatively, due to the low thresholds of these experiments, the spectral shape can be investigated over a wide energy range with high statistics and thus allow a sensitive comparison with the theoretical predictions, in particular at low electron energies where the shape of the computed β spectrum has a slight dependence on the value of the weak axial-vector coupling constan…
Consistent large-scale shell-model analysis of the two-neutrino ββ and single β branchings in 48Ca and 96Zr
Abstract Two-neutrino double-beta-decay matrix elements M 2 ν and single beta-decay branching ratios were calculated for 48Ca and 96Zr in the interacting nuclear shell model using large single-particle valence spaces with well-tested two-body Hamiltonians. For 48Ca the matrix element M 2 ν = 0.0511 is obtained, which is 5.5% smaller than the previously reported value of 0.0539. For 96Zr this work reports the first large-scale shell-model calculation of the nuclear matrix element, yielding a value M 2 ν = 0.0747 with extreme single-state dominance. These matrix elements, combined with the available ββ-decay half-life data, yield effective values of the weak axial coupling which in turn are u…
First-forbidden transitions in reactor antineutrino spectra
© 2019 American Physical Society. We study the dominant forbidden transitions in the antineutrino spectra of the fission actinides from 4 MeV onward using the nuclear shell model. Through explicit calculation of the shape factor, we show the expected changes in cumulative electron and antineutrino spectra. Relative to the allowed approximation this results in a minor decrease of electron spectra above 4 MeV, whereas an increase of several percent is observed in antineutrino spectra. We show that forbidden transitions dominate the spectral flux for most of the experimentally accessible range. Based on the shell model calculations we attempt a parametrization of forbidden transitions and prop…
Second-forbidden nonunique β− decays of Na24 and Cl36 assessed by the nuclear shell model
We have performed a systematic study of the $logft$ values, shape factors, and electron spectra for the second-forbidden nonunique ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ decays of $^{24}\mathrm{Na}({4}^{+})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{24}\mathrm{Mg}({2}^{+})$ and $^{36}\mathrm{Cl}({2}^{+}){\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}^{36}\mathrm{Ar}({0}^{+})$ transitions under the framework of the nuclear shell model. We have performed the shell model calculations in the $sd$ model space, using more recent microscopic effective interactions such as Daejeon16, chiral N3LO, and JISP16. These interactions are derived from the no-core shell model wave functions using Okubo-Lee-Suzuki transformation. For comparison,…
Calculated solar-neutrino capture rate for a radiochemical 205Tl-based solar-neutrino detector
Radiochemical experiments for low-energy solar-neutrino detection have been making headlines by exploiting the isotopes 37Cl and 71Ga. Such a very low-threshold measurement of this type can also be performed using 205Tl, which has been considered for decades for this purpose. A unique feature of this detector nucleus is the integration in the solar-neutrino flux over 106 of years owing to its long-living daughter 205Pb. In this Rapid Communication, we have calculated for the first time the cross section for the charged-current solar-neutrino scattering off 205Tl. Taking into account the solar-model-predicted neutrino fluxes and the electron-neutrino survival probabilities, a solar-neutrino …
High-Precision Q -Value Measurement Confirms the Potential of Cs135 for Absolute Antineutrino Mass Scale Determination
The ground-state-to-ground-state $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay $Q$ value of $^{135}\mathrm{Cs}(7/{2}^{+})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{135}\mathrm{Ba}(3/{2}^{+})$ has been directly measured for the first time. The measurement was done utilizing both the phase-imaging ion-cyclotron resonance technique and the time-of-flight ion-cyclotron resonance technique at the JYFLTRAP Penning-trap setup and yielded a mass difference of 268.66(30) keV between $^{135}\mathrm{Cs}(7/{2}^{+})$ and $^{135}\mathrm{Ba}(3/{2}^{+})$. With this very small uncertainty, this measurement is a factor of 3 more precise than the currently adopted $Q$ value in the Atomic Mass Evaluation 2016. The measurement confirms that the f…
The gallium anomaly revisited
The gallium anomaly, i.e. the missing electron-neutrino flux from $^{37}$Ar and $^{51}$Cr electron-capture decays as measured by the GALLEX and SAGE solar-neutrino detectors, has been among us already for about two decades. We present here a new estimate of the significance of this anomaly based on cross-section calculations using nuclear shell-model wave functions obtained by exploiting recently developed two-nucleon interactions. The gallium anomaly of the GALLEX and SAGE experiments is found to be smaller than that obtained in previous evaluations, decreasing the significance from 3.0σ to 2.3σ. This result is compatible with the recent indication in favor of short-baseline ν¯e disappeara…
Mesonic enhancement of the weak axial charge and its effect on the half-lives and spectral shapes of first-forbidden J+↔J− decays
The effects of the enhancement of the axial-charge matrix element γ5 were studied in medium heavy and heavy nuclei for first-forbidden J+↔J− decay transitions using the nuclear shell model. Noticeable dependence on the enhancement ϵMEC of the axial-charge matrix element, as well as on the value of the axial-vector coupling constant gA was found in the spectral shapes of $^{93}$Y, $^{95}$Sr, and $^{97}$Y. The importance of the spectrum of $^{138}$Cs in the determination of gA is discussed. Half-life analyses in the A≈95 and A≈135 regions were done, and consistent results gA≈0.90, 0.75, and 0.65, corresponding to the three enhancement scenarios ϵMEC=1.4, 1.7, and 2.0, were obtained. Connectio…
gA-driven shapes of electron spectra of forbidden β decays in the nuclear shell model
The evolution of the shape of the electron spectra of 16 forbidden β− decays as a function of gA was studied using the nuclear shell model in appropriate single-particle model spaces with established, well-tested nuclear Hamiltonians. The β spectra of 94Nb(6+)→94Mo(4+) and 98Tc(6+)→98Ru(4+) were found to depend strongly on gA, which makes them excellent candidates for the determination of the effective value of gA with the spectrum-shape method (SSM). A strong gA dependence is also seen in the spectrum of 96Zr(0+)→96Nb(6+). This decay could be used for determining the quenching of gA in sixth-forbidden decays in the future, when the measurement of the spectrum becomes experimentally feasibl…
$^{113}$Cd $\beta$-decay spectrum and $g_{\rm A}$ quenching using spectral moments
We present an alternative analysis of the $^{113}$Cd $\beta$-decay electron energy spectrum in terms of spectral moments $\mu_n$, corresponding to the averaged values of $n^{\rm th}$ powers of the $\beta$ particle energy. The zeroth moment $\mu_0$ is related to the decay rate, while higher moments $\mu_n$ are related to the spectrum shape. The here advocated spectral-moment method (SMM) allows for a complementary understanding of previous results, obtained using the so-called spectrum-shape method (SSM) and its revised version, in terms of two free parameters: $r=g_{\rm A}/g_{\rm V}$ (the ratio of axial-vector to vector couplings) and $s$ (the small vector-like relativistic nuclear matrix e…
Electron spectra in forbidden β decays and the quenching of the weak axial-vector coupling constant gA
Evolution of the electron spectra with the effective value of the weak axial-vector coupling constant gA was followed for 26 first-, second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-forbidden β− decays of odd-A nuclei by calculating the involved nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) in the framework of the microscopic quasiparticle-phonon model (MQPM). The next-to-leading-order terms were included in the β-decay shape factor of the electron spectra. The spectrum shapes of third- and fourth-forbidden nonunique decays were found to depend strongly on the value of gA, while first- and second-forbidden decays were mostly unaffected by the tuning of gA. The gA-driven evolution of the normalized β spectra was found t…
Confirmation of gA quenching using the revised spectrum-shape method for the analysis of the 113Cd β-decay as measured with the COBRA demonstrator
In this article we present an updated spectrum-shape analysis of the $^{113}$Cd fourfold forbidden non-unique $\beta$-decay transition in order to address the quenching of the weak axial-vector coupling $g_{\rm A}$ in low-momentum exchange nuclear processes. The experimental data were collected in a dedicated low-threshold run with the COBRA demonstrator at the LNGS and resulted in 44 individual $^{113}$Cd spectra. These data are evaluated in the context of three nuclear model frameworks based on a revised version of the spectrum-shape method and the conserved vector current hypothesis. The novel idea devised in the present work is to fit the value of the small relativistic nuclear matrix e…
Spin-multipole nuclear matrix elements in thepnquasiparticle random-phase approximation: Implications forβandββhalf-lives
Half-lives for 148 potentially measurable 2nd-, 3rd-, 4th-, 5th-, 6th-, and 7th-forbidden unique beta transitions are predicted. To achieve this, the ratio of the nuclear matrix elements (NMEs), calculated by the proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation (pnQRPA), ${M}_{\mathrm{pnQRPA}}$, and a two-quasiparticle (two-qp) model, ${M}_{\mathrm{qp}}$, is studied and compared with earlier calculations for the allowed Gamow-Teller (GT) ${1}^{+}$ and first-forbidden spin-dipole (SD) ${2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ transitions. The present calculations are done using realistic single-particle model spaces and $G$-matrix based microscopic two-body interactions. In terms of the ratio $k={M}_{\m…
High-precision mass measurements and production of neutron-deficient isotopes using heavy-ion beams at IGISOL
An upgraded ion-guide system for the production of neutron-deficient isotopes with heavy-ion beams has been commissioned at the IGISOL facility with an $^{36}\mathrm{Ar}$ beam on a $^{\mathrm{nat}}\mathrm{Ni}$ target. It was used together with the JYFLTRAP double Penning trap to measure the masses of $^{82}\mathrm{Zr}, ^{84}\mathrm{Nb}, ^{86}\mathrm{Mo}, ^{88}\mathrm{Tc}$, and $^{89}\mathrm{Ru}$ ground states and the isomeric state $^{88}\mathrm{Tc}^{m}$. Of these, $^{89}\mathrm{Ru}$ and $^{88}\mathrm{Tc}^{m}$ were measured for the first time. The precision of measurements of $^{82}\mathrm{Zr}, ^{84}\mathrm{Nb}$, and $^{88}\mathrm{Tc}$ was significantly improved. The literature value for $^…
Anomalies and sterile neutrinos : Implications of new theoretical results
The reactor antineutrino and the gallium anomalies have been long unexplained. Possible explanations for both of these anomalies include new physics, such as the existence of one or more eV-scale sterile neutrino. However, the previous theoretical calculations, which do not replicate the experimental results, rely on many simplifying approximations. We have performed shell model calculations in order to gain insights into these issues. In the reactor-antineutrino analysis the beta decays contributing to the cumulative electron spectrum are usually assumed to have allowed spectral shapes. However, many of these decays are actually first-forbidden. Moreover, these decays dominate the experime…
113Cdβ-decay spectrum and gA quenching using spectral moments
We present an alternative analysis of the 113Cdβ-decay electron energy spectrum in terms of spectral moments μn, corresponding to the averaged values of nth powers of the β particle energy. The zeroth moment μ0 is related to the decay rate, while higher moments μn are related to the spectrum shape. The here advocated spectral-moment method (SMM) allows for a complementary understanding of previous results, obtained using the so-called spectrum-shape method (SSM) and its revised version, in terms of two free parameters: r=gA/gV (the ratio of axial-vector to vector couplings) and s (the small vectorlike relativistic nuclear matrix element, s-NME). We present numerical results for three differ…
Double β Decay and the Axial Strength
Quenching of the weak axial strength gA is discussed and relations of this quenching to the nuclear matrix elements of double beta decays are highlighted. An analysis of Gamow-Teller transitions in the mass range A = 62 − 142 is presented and its results are compared with those of many previous works. The enhancement of the axial charge is discussed for first-forbidden pseudoscalar β transitions. Higher-forbidden β transitions are introduced and their role in determining the effective value of gA is examined, in particular from the point of view of the β-decay half-lives and the shapes of electron spectra of forbidden non-unique β transitions. peerReviewed
Improved calculations of beta decay backgrounds to new physics in liquid xenon detectors
We present high-precision theoretical predictions for the electron energy spectra for the ground-state to ground-state $\beta$ decays of $^{214}$Pb, $^{212}$Pb, and $^{85}$Kr most relevant to the background of liquid xenon dark matter detectors. The effects of nuclear structure on the spectral shapes are taken into account using large-scale shell model calculations. Final spectra also include atomic screening and exchange effects. The impact of nuclear structure effects on the $^{214}$Pb and $^{212}$Pb spectra below $\approx100$ keV, pertinent for several searches for new physics, are found to be comparatively larger than those from the atomic effects alone. We find that the full calculatio…
First-forbidden transitions in the reactor anomaly
We study the dominant forbidden transitions in the antineutrino spectra of the fission actinides from 4 MeV onward using the nuclear shell model. Through explicit calculation of the shape factor, taking into account Coulomb corrections, we show the expected changes on cumulative electron and antineutrino spectra. Compared to the usual allowed approximation this results in a minor decrease of electron spectra from 4 MeV and onward, whereas an increase of several percent is observed in antineutrino spectra. We show that, despite their limited number, forbidden transitions dominate the spectral flux for most of the experimentally accessible range. Based on the shell model calculations we attem…
Spectral shapes of forbidden argonβdecays as background component for rare-event searches
The spectral shape of the electrons from the two first-forbidden unique beta- decays of Ar-39 and Ar-42 were calculated for the first time to the next-to-leading order. Especially the spectral shape of the Ar-39 decay can be used to characterise this background component for dark matter searches based on argon. Alternatively, due to the low thresholds of these experiments, the spectral shape can be investigated over a wide energy range with high statistics and thus allow a sensitive comparison with the theoretical predictions. This might lead to interesting results for the ratio of the weak vector and axial-vector constants in nuclei.
Consistent large-scale shell-model analysis of the two-neutrino $\beta\beta$ and single $\beta$ branchings in $^{48}\rm Ca$ and $^{96}\rm Zr$
Two-neutrino double-beta-decay matrix elements $M_{2\nu}$ and single beta-decay branching ratios were calculated for $^{48}$Ca and $^{96}$Zr in the interacting nuclear shell model using large single-particle valence spaces with well-tested two-body Hamiltonians. For $^{48}$Ca the matrix element $M_{2\nu}=0.0511$ is obtained, which is 5.5\% smaller than the previously reported value of 0.0539. For $^{96}$Zr this work reports the first large-scale shell-model calculation of the nuclear matrix element, yielding a value $M_{2\nu}=0.0747$ with extreme single-state dominance. If the scenario where the first $1^+$ state in $^{96}$Nb is at 694.6 keV turns out to be correct, the matrix element is in…
The effects of regular sauna bathing in conjunction with exercise on cardiovascular function : A multi-arm randomized controlled trial
Regular exercise and sauna bathing have each been shown to improve cardiovascular function in clinical populations. However, experimental data on the cardiovascular adaptations to regular exercise in conjunction with sauna bathing in the general population is lacking. Therefore, we compared the effects of exercise and sauna bathing, to regular exercise using a multi-arm randomized controlled trial. Participants (n = 47) aged 49 ± 9 years with low physical activity levels, and at least one traditional CVD risk factor were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to guideline-based regular exercise and 15-minute post-exercise sauna (EXS), guideline-based regular exercise (EXE), or control (CON), for eight w…
Spin-multipole nuclear matrix elements in the pn quasiparticle random-phase approximation: Implications for β and ββ half-lives
Half-lives for 148 potentially measurable 2nd-, 3rd-, 4th-, 5th-, 6th-, and 7th-forbidden unique beta transitions are predicted. To achieve this, the ratio of the nuclear matrix elements (NMEs), calculated by the proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation (pnQRPA), MpnQRPA, and a two-quasiparticle (two-qp) model, Mqp, is studied and compared with earlier calculations for the allowed Gamow-Teller (GT) 1+ and first-forbidden spin-dipole (SD) 2− transitions. The present calculations are done using realistic single-particle model spaces and G-matrix based microscopic two-body interactions. In terms of the ratio k = MpnQRPA/Mqp the studied decays fall into two groups: for GROUP 1, w…
Second-forbidden nonunique $\beta^-$ decays of $^{24}$Na and $^{36}$Cl assessed by the nuclear shell model
We have performed a systematic study of the log$ft$ values, shape factors and electron spectra for the second-forbidden nonunique $\beta^-$ decays of $^{24}$Na$(4^+) \rightarrow ^{24}$Mg$(2^+)$ and $^{36}$Cl$(2^+) \rightarrow ^{36}$Ar$(0^+)$ transitions under the framework of the nuclear shell model. We have performed the shell model calculations in the $sd$ model space, using more recent microscopic effective interactions such as Daejeon16, chiral N3LO, and JISP16. These interactions are derived from the no-core shell model wave functions using Okubo-Lee-Suzuki transformation.For comparison, we have also shown the results obtain from the phenomenological USDB interaction. To test the predi…
Muon-electron lepton-flavor-violating transitions : Shell-model calculations of transitions in 27Al
In this paper we present the results of large-scale shell-model calculations of muon-to-electron lepton-flavorviolating transitions for the case of the target nucleus 27Al. We extend the previous shell-model calculations, done in the sd model space, by including also the p orbitals in order to see whether the negative-parity states produce any significant effect in the conversion rate. The analysis of the results shows the dominance of coherent transitions mediated by isovector operators and going by the ground state of the target, with practically null influence of excited positive- or negative-parity states. peerReviewed
Shell-model computed cross sections for charged-current scattering of astrophysical neutrinos off 40Ar
Charged-current (anti)neutrino- 40 Ar cross sections for astrophysical neutrinos have been calculated. The initial and final nuclear states were calculated using the nuclear shell model. The folded solar-neutrino scattering cross section was found to be 1.78 ( 23 ) × 10 − 42 cm 2 , which is higher than what the previous papers have reported. The contributions from the 1 − and 2 − multipoles were found to be significant at supernova-neutrino energies, confirming the random-phase approximation (RPA) result of a previous study. The effects of neutrino flavor conversions in dense stellar matter (matter oscillations) were found to enhance the neutrino-scattering cross sections significantly for …
Shell-model computed cross sections for charged-current scattering of astrophysical neutrinos off 40Ar
Charged-current (anti)neutrino-$^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$ cross sections for astrophysical neutrinos have been calculated. The initial and final nuclear states were calculated using the nuclear shell model. The folded solar-neutrino scattering cross section was found to be $1.78(23)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}42}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, which is higher than what the previous papers have reported. The contributions from the ${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ multipoles were found to be significant at supernova-neutrino energies, confirming the random-phase approximation (RPA) result of a previous study. The effects of neutrino flavor conve…
Direct measurement of the mass difference of As72−Ge72 rules out As72 as a promising β -decay candidate to determine the neutrino mass
We report the first direct determination of the ground-state to ground-state electron-capture $Q$ value for the $^{72}\mathrm{As}$ to $^{72}\mathrm{Ge}$ decay by measuring their atomic mass difference utilizing the double Penning trap mass spectrometer, JYFLTRAP. The $Q$ value was measured to be 4343.596(75) keV, which is more than a fiftyfold improvement in precision compared to the value in the most recent Atomic Mass Evaluation 2020. Furthermore, the new $Q$ value was found to be 12.4(40) keV (3.1 $\ensuremath{\sigma}$) lower. With the significant reduction of the uncertainty of the ground-state to ground-state $Q$ value combined with the level scheme of $^{72}\mathrm{Ge}$ from $\ensurem…
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…
Beta-spectrum shapes of forbidden β decays
The neutrinoless [Formula: see text] decay of atomic nuclei continues to attract fervent interest due to its potential to confirm the possible Majorana nature of the neutrino, and thus the nonconservation of the lepton number. At the same time, the direct dark matter experiments are looking for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) through their scattering on nuclei. The neutrino-oscillation experiments on reactor antineutrinos base their analyses on speculations of [Formula: see text]-spectrum shapes of nuclear decays, thus leading to the notorious “reactor antineutrino anomaly.” In all these experimental efforts, one encounters the problem of [Formula: see text]-spectrum shapes of…
Half-lives for highly forbidden beta decays in medium-heavy nuclei
Kuudellekymmenelle aiemmin tutkimattomalle uniikille beetahajoamiselle laskettiin puoliintumisajat ja tuloksia verrattiin aiempiin tutkimuksiin koskien kerran kiellettyjä uniikkeja siirtymiä ja Gamow-Teller-siirtymiä. Half-lives for 60 previously unstudied highly forbidden beta decays were calculated, and the results compared to earlier studies regarding first-forbidden and Gamow-Teller-decays.