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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Octupole correlations near Te 110

The lifetime of the 2 + and 9 – , 11 – , 13 – , 15 – states in the neutron-deficient 110 Te was measured for the first time using the recoil distance Doppler shift technique. The reported value of the reduced transition probability B(E2; $0$$^{+}_{g.s}$ → 2 + ) = 4.3(8) × 10 3 e 2 fm 4 supports the systematic for even-mass Te isotopes and was interpreted in the framework of the large-scale shell model and cranked shell model calculations. The measured reduced transition probabilities in the negative-parity yrast band revealed the upward trend towards the high spins. Furthermore, the enhanced collectivity is discussed in terms of the tilted axis cranking approach and the symmetry configuration mixing method with the Gogny D1S interaction.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Study of Quasielastic Barrier Distributions as a Step towards the Synthesis of Superheavy Elements with Hot Fusion Reactions

The excitation functions for quasielastic scattering of Ne 22 + Cm 248 , Mg 26 + Cm 248 , and Ca 48 + U 238 are measured using a gas-filled recoil ion separator. The quasielastic barrier distributions are extracted for these systems and are compared with coupled-channel calculations. The results indicate that the barrier distribution is affected dominantly by deformation of the actinide target nuclei, but also by vibrational or rotational excitations of the projectile nuclei, as well as neutron transfer processes before capture. From a comparison between the experimental barrier distributions and the evaporation residue cross sections for Sg ( Z = 106 ), Hs (108), Cn (112), and Lv (116), it is suggested that the hot fusion reactions take advantage of a compact collision, where the projectile approaches along the short axis of a prolately deformed nucleus. Overall, a new method is proposed to estimate the optimum incident energy to synthesize unknown superheavy nuclei using the barrier distribution.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Analysis of Σ* via isospin selective reaction 𝐾 𝐿 ⁢𝑝 →𝜋 + ⁢Σ 0

The isospin-selective reaction 𝐾 𝐿 ⁢𝑝 →𝜋 + ⁢Σ 0 provides a clean probe for investigating 𝐼 =1 Σ* resonances. In this work, we perform an analysis of this reaction using an effective Lagrangian approach for the first time, incorporating the well-established Σ⁡(1189)⁢1/2 + , Σ⁡(1385)⁢3/2 + , Σ⁡(1670)⁢3/2 − , and Σ⁡(1775)⁢5/2 − states, while also exploring contributions from other unestablished states. By fitting the available differential cross-section and recoil polarization data, adhering to partial-wave phase conventions same as the Particle Data Group, we find that besides the established resonances, contributions from Σ⁡(1660)⁢1/2 + , Σ⁡(1580)⁢3/2 − , and a Σ*⁢(1/2 − ) improve the description. Notably, a Σ*⁢(1/2 − ) resonance with mass around 1.54 GeV, consistent with Σ⁡(1620)⁢1/2 − , is found to be essential for describing the data in this channel, a stronger indication than found in previous analyses focusing on 𝜋⁢Λ final states. While providing complementary support for Σ⁡(1660)⁢1/2 + and Σ⁡(1580)⁢3/2 − , our results highlight the importance of the Σ⁡(1620)⁢1/2 − region in 𝐾 𝐿 ⁢𝑝 →𝜋 + ⁢Σ 0 . Future high-precision measurements are needed to solidify these findings and further constrain the Σ* spectrum.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Source characterization of a detector for heavy and superheavy nuclei

A new focal plane detector system for the Berkeley Gas-filled Separator (BGS) was designed, constructed, and tested offline with various α-decay and conversion-electron sources. The SuperHeavy RECoils (SHREC) detector comprises sets of double-sided silicon strip detectors arranged in an open-faced cuboid geometry. Alongside the detector upgrade new digital data acquisition electronics have been commissioned offline. This setup aims to detect separated recoiling heavy and superheavy nuclei as well as their correlated radioactive decay paths with improved energy resolution and overall sensitivity.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Experimental study of the S 38 excited level scheme

Information on the 38 S level scheme was expanded through experimental work utilizing a fusion-evaporation reaction and in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy. Prompt γ-ray transitions were detected by the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking Array (GRETINA) and recoiling 38 S residues were selected by the Fragment Mass Analyzer (FMA). Tools based on machine-learning techniques were developed and deployed for the first time in order to enhance the unique selection of 38S residues and identify any associated γ-ray transitions. The new level information, including the extension of the even-spin yrast sequence through J π =8( + ), was interpreted in terms of a basic single-particle picture as well shell-model calculations which incorporated the empirically derived FSU interaction. A comparison between the properties of the yrast states in the even-Z, N = 22 isotones from Z = 14 to 20, and for 36 Si– 38 S in particular, was also presented with an emphasis on the role and influence of the neutron 1 p 3/2 orbital on the structure in the region.

20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗
DOE OSTI2024

𝐵⁡(𝐸⁢2) measurements in the yrast band of 28 Mg: Implications for the 𝑁 = 20 island of inversion

High-precision lifetime measurements in 28 Mg were performed to study neutron shell evolution in Mg isotopes and the onset of the N = 20 island of inversion. Here, using both the recoil distance and Doppler shift attenuation methods, five lifetimes were measured in addition to six upper limits. The observation of two long-lived, negative-parity states demonstrate the importance of studying Mg isotopes for the contribution of intruder configurations to sd-shell nuclei. Lifetimes of the $2^+_1$ and $4^+_1$ states of 1.81(5) ps and 172⁢($^{+11}_{–10}$) stat.⁢ (4) stop. ⁢(8) feed.⁢ (4) targ. fs, respectively, demonstrate a loss of collectivity with increasing spin in the yrast band, permitting for distinguishing between current theoretical models. These measurements also highlight the progression of yrast structure across the Mg isotopic chain from rotational at N = 12 to large shape mixing at N = 16 and back to collective behavior at N = 20 but with dominating intruder configurations.

20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗
DOE OSTI2020

Probing the Deuteron at Very Large Internal Momenta

We measure H-2(e, e' p)n cross sections at 4-momentum transfers of Q(2) = 4.5 +/- 0.5 (GeV/c)(2) over a range of neutron recoil momenta p(r), reaching up to similar to 1.0 GeV/c. We obtain data at fixed neutron recoil angles theta(nq) = 35 degrees, 45 degrees, and 75 degrees with respect to the 3-momentum transfer (q)over-right-arrow. The new data agree well with previous data, which reached p(r) similar to 500 MeV/c. At theta(nq) = 35 degrees and 45 degrees, final state interactions, meson exchange currents, and isobar currents are suppressed and the plane wave impulse approximation provides the dominant cross section contribution. We compare the new data to recent theoretical calculations, where we observe a significant discrepancy for recoil momenta P-r > 700 MeV/c.

Yero, C.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Evolution of collectivity in 118 Xe

A recoil-distance Doppler shift experiment has been performed using the Pd 102 ( F 19 , p 2 n ) reaction at a beam energy of 73 MeV to measure the lifetime of excited states in Xe 118 . Additionally, the differential decay-curve method using γ γ coincidences and a gating procedure that allows to extract the lifetime without feeding assumptions has been employed. The lifetimes obtained for the yrast states up to spin-parity 8 + are compared with interacting boson model calculations and Xe 118 can be classified as a transitional nucleus between the spherical and a deformed shape. Systematics of the B ( E 2 ) values for the 2 + → 0 + and 4 + → 2 + transitions in the isotopic chains of tin, tellurium and xenon are presented. It is proposed that a “critical point” exists at which the B ( E 2 ; 4 + → 2 + ) / B ( E 2 ; 2 + → 0 + ) ratio drops to unity for lower neutron numbers within the isotopic chain. The position of the “critical point” varies with proton number, i.e., it is presumed to be located at the same mass number A = 114 in the Sn, Te, and Xe isotopes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Measurement of In-Medium Jet Modification Using Direct Photon + Jet and 𝜋 0 + Jet Correlations in 𝑝 + 𝑝 and Central Au + Au Collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV

The STAR Collaboration presents measurements of the semi-inclusive distribution of charged-particle jets recoiling from energetic direct-photon (𝛾 dir ) and neutral-pion (𝜋 0 ) triggers in 𝑝 + 𝑝 and central Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ =2 00 GeV over a broad kinematic range, for jet resolution parameters 𝑅 = 0.2 and 0.5. Medium-induced jet yield suppression is observed to be larger for 𝑅 = 0.2 than for 0.5, reflecting the angular range of jet energy redistribution due to quenching. The predictions of model calculations incorporating jet quenching are not fully consistent with the observations. Furthermore, these results provide new insight into the physical origins of jet quenching.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Studying single-electron traps in newly fabricated Skipper-CCDs for the Oscura experiment using the pocket-pumping technique

Understanding and characterizing very low-energy (⁠ ∼eV) background sources is a must in rare-event searches. Oscura, an experiment aiming to probe electron recoils from sub-GeV dark matter using a 10 kg skipper-CCD detector, has recently fabricated its first two batches of sensors. In this work, we present the characterization of defects/contaminants identified in the buried-channel region of these newly fabricated skipper-CCDs. These defects/contaminants produce deferred charge from trap emission in the images next to particle tracks, which can be spatially resolved due to the sub-electron resolution achieved with these sensors. Using the trap-pumping technique, we measured the energy and cross section associated with these traps in three Oscura prototype sensors from different fabrication batches which underwent different gettering methods during fabrication. Results suggest that the type of defects/contaminants is more closely linked to the fabrication batch rather than to the gettering method used. The exposure-dependent single-electron rate (SER) of one of these sensors was measured ∼100 m underground, yielding (1.8±0.3)×10−3e−/pix/day at 131 K. The impact of the identified traps on the measured exposure-dependent SER is evaluated via a Monte Carlo simulation. Results suggest that the exposure-dependent SER of Oscura prototype sensors would be lower in lower background environments as expected.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Benchmarking fast-neutron response of 7 Li-enriched C 7 LYC scintillators: Simulations and experiment

New insights into the fast neutron response of 7 Li-enriched C 7 LYC scintillators have been obtained through detailed Geant4 simulations of 35 Cl(n,p) and 35 Cl(n, α) reactions that are primarily responsible for the fast neutron response of C 7 LYC. The light output of a 1” x1” C 7 LYC detector was simulated using the Birks equation for light quenching in scintillators. The simulations were benchmarked against neutron scattering data from a 12 C target obtained with a white neutron beam at the Los Alamos LANSCE facility and fourteen 1”x1” C 7 LYC detectors. Incident neutron energies extracted from time-of-flight measurements, and appropriate recoil corrections for the different detector angles were used to map the response of C 7 LYC to mono-energetic neutrons. Resonances in the 35 Cl(n,p) reaction cross-section below 3 MeV incident neutron energy were directly observed in C 7 LYC. The experimental data and simulations are compared with ENDF databases, as well as recent direct cross-section measurements of neutrons scattered from a 35 Cl target. In conclusion, the results suggest a scrutiny of the 35 Cl(n,p) and 35 Cl(n, α) cross sections at low energy in the ENDF library.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Contributions to the BeEST sterile neutrino search

Sterile neutrinos are hypothetical right-handed leptons that have been postulated as extensions to the Standard Model to help explain the origin of neutrino masses and the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe. Sterile neutrinos with keV-scale masses are also a promising candidate for dark matter. LLNL and the Colorado School of Mines are developing an experiment to search for sterile neutrinos by measuring the \Beryllium-7 Electron capture in Superconducting Tunnel junctions (STJs)" (the \BeEST" Experiment). When 7 Be implanted into STJ radiation detectors decays by electron capture, the neutrino escapes and the energy of the recoiling 7 Li nucleus can be measured with high accuracy. Using conservation of energy and momentum, the mass of the emitted neutrino can then be found. Sterile keV neutrinos would generate additional peaks in the spectrum, and the experiment uses high-resolution STJs to observe such a potential signal. During my internship, I contributed to different aspects of the BeEST experiment. I designed a UHV setup for X-ray spectroscopy analysis with STJs. It will allow high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy of different materials to examine the broadening in the BeEST spectra, the origins of which are unknown but may be related to material effects inside the STJ detectors. The design accounts for the specific demands of the BeEST project, but provides a degree of flexibility that makes it useful for other potential STJ projects. Additionally, to test the accuracy of the electronics and data analysis routine, an arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) will be used to generate simulated spectra that contain sterile neutrino signals of a specified mass and admixture. For this I programmed an AWG to output random STJ signals whose amplitudes follow the appropriate user-de ned probability distribution. The AWG signals can be input into the 32-channel preamplifier to simulate any spectrum of interest and test the uniformity of the amplifier chain, as well as the sensitivity of the data analysis.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Cherenkov and Transition Radiation as Low-Energy Background Sources in SuperCDMS Detectors

The Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) has historically been a prime candidate for dark matter due to its elegant compatibility with the Minimally Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). Recent dark matter experiments have ruled out much of the GeV-TeV mass range predicted by the MSSM, however, and the newest generation of direct detection experiments, such as SuperCDMS SNOLAB, have begunto explore sub-GeV dark matter. As experiments push towards lower masses, sensitivity to eV-scale electron recoil events has become increasingly important. A variety of unexplained excesses at energy deposits of 1-100 eV have been found inmany such low-mass experiments, across different detection techniques and at different excess rates. These low-energy events are not thought to be dark matter, and they must be understood and effectively removed to further improve detector energy resolution. This thesis will outline the simulation of one possible source of low-energy excess at SuperCDMS: optical photons produced from charges in uniform motion, specifically from Cherenkov radiation (CR), transition radiation (TR), and the intermediate hybrid transition-Cherenkov radiation (HR). In the latter case, the standard formulae for HR contain divergences at certain angles in transparent media, which are an artifact of their derivation and become problematic to simulate. To rsolve this, we present a novel approach to normalize the divergent HR peaks, which allows HR to transition smoothly between TR and CR in a numerical simulation. We also add TR and CR as a physics process to the SuperCDMS Monte Carlo simulation package SuperSim, based on the Geant4 simulation toolkit. To verify the physics of our addition, we show some test simulations in comparison to theoretical predictions of optical radiation intensity. We also use the simulation to make some preliminary predictions on the contribution of TR and CR to the low energy background, with the expectation that more thorough analyses will be conducted in the future.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Measurement of the scintillation and ionization response of liquid xenon at MeV energies in the EXO-200 experiment

In this work, liquid xenon (LXe) is employed in a number of current and future detectors for rare event searches. We use the EXO-200 experimental data to measure the absolute scintillation and ionization yields generated by γ interactions from 228 Th (2615 keV), 226 Ra (1764 keV), and 60 Co (1332 keV and 1173 keV) calibration sources, over a range of electric fields. The W value that defines the recombination-independent energy scale is measured to be 11.5±0.5 (syst.) ±0.1 (stat.) eV. These data are also used to measure the recombination fluctuations in the number of electrons and photons produced by the calibration sources at the MeV scale, which deviate from extrapolations of lower-energy data. Additionally, a semiempirical model for the energy resolution of the detector is developed, which is used to constrain the recombination efficiency, i.e., the fraction of recombined electrons that result in the emission of a detectable photon. Detailed measurements of the absolute charge and light yields for MeV-scale electron recoils are important for predicting the performance of future neutrinoless double β -decay detectors.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

DarkNESS: developing a skipper-CCD instrument to search for Dark Matter from Low Earth Orbit

The DarkNESS (Dark Matter Nano-satellite Equipped with Skipper Sensors) mission aims to deploy a skipper-CCD CubeSat Observatory to search for dark matter (DM) from Low Earth Orbit. This mission will employ novel skipper-CCDs to investigate O(keV) X-rays from decaying DM, as well as electron recoils from strongly-interacting sub-GeV DM. The DarkNESS mission will be the first space deployment of skipper-CCDs, and the DarkNESS team is developing a skipper-CCD instrument that is compatible with the CubeSat platform. DarkNESS has recently progressed from laboratory validation to a Critical Design Review (CDR) phase, with a launch opportunity anticipated in late 2025. The implementation of the DarkNESS skipper-CCD payload on the CubeSat platform will pave the way for future demonstrators of space-based imagers for X-ray and single-electron counting applications.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effects of He Ion Irradiation in Simple Borosilicate Glasses for HLW Immobilisation - 20324

High-level radioactive waste (HLW) consists of fission products and minor actinides. Borosilicate glass is the host material of choice in most countries to safely immobilize HLW, followed by eventual geological disposal. HLW glasses will experience both self-heating and self-irradiation effects due to the decay of fission products and minor actinides present therein. During the first 500 years of geological disposal, beta-gamma decay will be the main source of radiation due to short half-lives of fission products, as compared to very long-lived actinides which will be responsible for irradiation over much longer timescales. High-energy alpha particles and alpha recoil nuclei can potentially have significant impact (stored energy, volume change, accumulated dose, chemical durability) on the performance of the wasteform over longer timescales. Thus, to ensure safe and economic disposal over geological periods (10{sup 4} - 10{sup 6} years), the assessment of performance and properties in terms of radiation effects becomes indispensable. This work aims to simulate the effects of alpha decay in radioactive waste glasses. Two international glasses, namely UK 'MW' lithium-sodium borosilicate and Indian sodium-barium borosilicate, which are being used as HLW immobilization matrices by the UK and India respectively, were prepared by a melt-quench method and annealed below their glass transition temperatures. Both glasses were irradiated with 650 KeV He{sup 2+} ions with doses ranging from 10{sup 15} to 10{sup 17} ions/cm{sup 2}. Structural analysis was carried out using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Raman spectroscopies. First derivative continuous wave EPR spectra were recorded for all pristine and irradiated glass monoliths at room temperature using an X-band (frequency 9.6 GHz) EPR Bruker spectrometer. Results from EPR analyses showed the formation of irradiation induced paramagnetic centers at g ∼ 2.00 in all irradiated glasses. Raman spectra of pristine and irradiated samples were acquired, and showed notable changes in glass structure post-irradiation, with the emergence of a broad Raman band at 1560 cm{sup -1} upon irradiation with high fluences. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Search for elements 119 and 120

In this work, a search for production of the superheavy elements with atomic numbers 119 and 120 was performed in the 50 Ti + 249 Bk and 50 Ti + 249 Cf fusion-evaporation reactions, respectively, at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA at GSI Darmstadt, Germany. Over four months of irradiation, the 249 Bk target partially decayed into 249 Cf, which allowed for a simultaneous search for both elements. Neither was detected at cross-section sensitivity levels of 65 and 200 fb for the 50 Ti + 249 Bk and 50 Ti + 249 Cf reactions, respectively, at a midtarget beam energy of E lab = 281.5 MeV. The nonobservation of elements 119 and 120 is discussed within the concept of fusion-evaporation reactions including various theoretical predictions on the fission-barrier heights of superheavy nuclei in the region of the island of stability.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2020

Correlations Between Fission Fragment and Neutron Anisotropies in Neutron-Induced Fission

Several sources of angular anisotropy for fission fragments and prompt neutrons have been studied in neutron-induced fission reactions. These include kinematic recoils of the target from the incident neutron beam and the fragments from the emission of the prompt neutrons, preferential directions of the emission of the fission fragments with respect to the beam axis due to the population of particular transition states at the fission barrier, and forward-peaked angular distributions of pre-equilibrium neutrons which are emitted before the formation of a compound nucleus. In addition, there are several potential sources of angular anisotropies that are more difficult to disentangle: the angular distributions of prompt neutrons from fully accelerated fragments or from scission neutrons, and the emission of neutrons from fission fragments that are not fully accelerated. Here, we study the effects of the first group of anisotropy sources, particularly exploring the correlations between the fission-fragment anisotropy and the resulting neutron anisotropy. While kinematic effects were already accounted for in our Hauser-Feshbach Monte Carlo code cgmf, anisotropic angular distributions for the fission fragments and pre-equilibrium neutrons resulting from neutron-induced fission on 233,234,235,238 U, 239,241 Pu, and 237 Np have been introduced for the first time. The effects of these sources of anisotropy are examined over a range of incident neutron energies, from thermal to 20 MeV, and compared with experimental data from the Chi-Nu liquid scintillator array. The anisotropy of the fission fragments is reflected in the anisotropy of the prompt neutrons, especially as the outgoing energy of the prompt neutrons increases, allowing for an extraction of the fission-fragment anisotropy to be made from a measurement of the neutrons.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗