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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Structure of odd-mass Ne, Na, and Mg nuclei

The island of inversion is a region of neutron-rich nuclei around 31 Na that are deformed in their ground states. In this region, less is known about the energy levels of odd-mass nuclei, how they evolve with increasing neutron numbers, and how they can be organized into rotational bands. We perform ab initio coupled-cluster calculations of spectra in odd-mass Ne, Na, and Mg nuclei based on an interaction of chiral effective field theory. In conclusion, our results confirm some tentative spin and parity assignments, predict the structure of nuclei near the neutron dripline, and inform us about rotational bands in this region of the nuclear table.

20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗
DOE OSTI2024

Nuclear structure of 157 Sm via 𝛽−decay of 157 Pm

Excited states of the neutron-rich nucleus 157 Sm were populated through the 𝛽−decay of 157 Pm , which has a tentatively assigned ground-state spin and parity of 𝐽 𝜋 =(5/2 − ). Over 30 levels have been observed, 16 of which are new, and over 45 new 𝛾-ray transitions have been placed in the level scheme. An evolution in the ground-state configurations for 𝑁 = 95 nuclei from 5/2 − ⁢[523] (Er/Yb), to 5/2 + ⁢[642] (Dy), to 3/2 − ⁢[521] (Sm/Gd) can be explained based on increasing deformation from 𝑍 = 70 to 𝑍 = 62 and the fact that these three orbitals are energetically close to each other at deformations near 𝛽 2 ≈ 0.25–0.3. Finally, tentative spin and parity assignments are made for most of the states below 1500 keV based on the decay properties of the levels and using excitation-energy systematics of the various orbitals observed in 𝑁 = 95 nuclei.

beta decay↗
DOE OSTI2022

Proton decay spectroscopy of S 28 and Cl 30

States in 28 S and 30 Cl have been studied using one- and two-proton decay spectroscopy. In the first spectrometer setting, states in 28 S were populated following one-neutron knockout from a fast 29 S beam. Three new states are observed in 28 S from one- and two-proton decay. For the two-proton case the nature of the decay was investigated and found to proceed via sequential two-proton emission. For the second setting, states in 30 Cl were populated via one-proton knockout from a fast 31 Ar beam. The decay energy of the ground and first excited state were measured, with the ground-state decay energy found to be in disagreement with a previous measurement. Here, the spin and parity of these two 30 Cl states were inferred from shell-model calculations.

20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗
DOE OSTI2022

Establishing the ground-state spin of 71 Kr

Nuclei in the vicinity of the N=Z line provide many sensitive probes of isospin symmetry. One example concerns the character and sequence of low-lying states of the T=1/2 mirror pair 71 Kr and 71 Br which has been under debate for several decades. In this paper we report a new measurement of the absolute β-branching to ground and excited states which, taken with our precise lifetime of T 1/2 =94.9(4) ms , gives a superallowed ground state–to–ground state log (ft) value of 3.64(4). This is only consistent with both 71 Br and 71 Kr having the same spin and parity, J π =5/2 – , as expected from mirror symmetry. The β-delayed proton emission to the first-excited state in 70 Se was observed for the first time which also strongly supports this assignment.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Measurement of the Ground State Spin and Parity of 22 Al Disfavors Halo Formation

We report the decisive resolution of the ground state spin and parity of the proton–drip line nucleus 22 Al, a prime candidate for a proton halo. The resolution stems from the first 𝛽-delayed charged particle emission experiment in the gas stopping area at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), leveraging high-intensity, low-energy beams extracted from the Advanced Cryogenic Gas Stopper (ACGS). The pristine beam quality from FRIB and the ACGS enabled a sensitive particle identification technique using thin silicon detectors, allowing for the suppression of the dominant proton background and the first observation of the weak 𝛽-delayed 𝛼 transition from the isobaric analog state in 22 Mg to the 18 Ne ground state. This observation uniquely fixes the 22 Al ground state as 4 + . The valence proton is confined by a dominant 𝑑-wave centrifugal barrier which, combined with the Coulomb repulsion, hinders the tunneling required for halo formation despite the exceptionally low proton separation energy of 22 Al.

20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗
DOE OSTI2022

Reinvestigation of the level structures of the N=49 isotones 89 Zr and 91 Mo

Here, excited states of 89 Zr and 91 Mo have been investigated using the fusion reaction 6 Li+ 89 Y at beam energy of 34 MeV. Based on new experimental data, about 16 (13) new transitions have been added to the level scheme of 89 Zr ( 91 Mo). The level structures are investigated in the framework of the spherical-basis shell model using the effective interactions JUN45 and GWBXG. Reasonable agreement is obtained between the experimental results and the calculations. The calculated results indicate the newly proposed states are characterized by proton excitations from the 1f 5/2 , 2p 3/2 , 2p 1/2 orbits to the high-j 1g 9/2 orbit. The systematic features of low lying states in the N = 49 isotones are discussed.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Spin cutoff factor and level density for Ni 59 from an analysis of compound nuclear reactions

The spin cutoff parameter for 59 Ni has been studied from different types of experimental data, including neutron angular distributions from the 56 Fe(α,n) 59 Ni reaction, spin of discrete levels, the level density from the proton evaporation spectrum of the 54 Fe( 6 Li,p) 59 Ni reaction and neutron resonance spacing. Experimental data points were compared with calculations using models widely used in literature. It was found that the available empirical models overestimate data points in the energy region below the neutron separation energy, while microscopic calculations which take into account pairing correlations within Hartree-Fock +Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer approach are consistent with data. As a result, it confirmed earlier findings that pairing correlations play an important role and need to be taken into account when the spin cutoff parameter is calculated below the neutron separation energy.

(a,n) reaction↗
DOE OSTI2024

Electroweak Nuclear Properties from Single Molecular Ions in a Penning Trap

Here, we present a novel technique to probe electroweak nuclear properties by measuring parity violation (PV) in single molecular ions in a Penning trap. The trap’s strong magnetic field Zeeman shifts opposite-parity rotational and hyperfine molecular states into near degeneracy. The weak interaction-induced mixing between these degenerate states can be larger than in atoms by more than 12 orders of magnitude, thereby vastly amplifying PV effects. The single molecule sensitivity would be suitable for applications to nuclei across the nuclear chart, including rare and unstable nuclei.

electronic structure of atoms & molecules↗
DOE OSTI2025

Optimal strategies for optical quantum memories using long-lived noble-gas spins

Nuclear spins of noble gases exhibit exceptionally long coherence times and can potentially serve as a long-lived storage medium for quantum information. We analyze and compare the performance of two mechanisms for mapping the quantum state of light onto the collective spin state of noble gases. The first mechanism utilizes collisional exchange with the electronic spin state of metastable noble-gas atoms, while the second relies on spin-exchange collisions with ground-state alkali-metal atoms. We describe the operation of an optical quantum memory relying on these two mechanisms using a compact model and study strategies that optimize the memory storage efficiency. Through numerical simulations, we identify optimal sequences for storing optical signals with different signal bandwidths and electronic spin relaxation rates. This work highlights the qualitative difference between the two approaches for using noble gases as long-lived quantum memories at noncryogenic conditions and outlines the regimes in which they are expected to be efficient.

atomic ensemble↗
DOE OSTI2023

Nuclear Wallet Cards

The Nuclear Wallet Cards present properties for ground and isomeric states of all known nuclides. It provides the following: Spin and parity assignments, Nuclear mass excesses, Half-lives, isotopic abundances, Decay modes. Appendices contain properties of elements, fundamental constants and other useful information.

Decay modes↗
DOE OSTI2023

Spectroscopic Investigations of Molecular Symmetry Breakdown

This project addressed precise measurements of the spectra of molecules to address fundamental questions in chemical physics in the realm of nuclear spin symmetries and their breakdown in molecules, and parity non-conservation caused by the weak nuclear force. Nuclear spin symmetry is intimately connected to parity in symmetrical molecules and plays a central role in the physical and chemical properties of symmetric molecules, their collisional relaxation, and the establishment of thermodynamic equilibrium in an ensemble. Such effects are present in every molecular system or process, but their small size means they are often only directly observable under special conditions. However, their measurement is of fundamental, and often practical importance, and strongly relates to the themes of coherence in light and matter in the recent Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC) report “Challenges at the Frontiers of Matter and Energy: Transformative Opportunities for Discovery Science”. We begin by addressing lifetime broadening of spectroscopic lines caused by self-collisions in acetylene, where efficient resonant rotational energy transfer between a pair of molecules separated in energy by rotational quantum number ΔJ = ± 2, can result in a different pressure broadening for ortho- and para- nuclear spin state molecules. This work was prompted by a controversial report [Iwakuni et al. Phys. Rev Letts. 117 (2016) 143902] of the observation of such an effect in the v 1 +v 3 combination band transition of acetylene discussed in the original proposal. After delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have completed these measurements and a paper was published in the Journal of Chemical Physics describing the work. The measurements pointed out that the use of an approximate model in the analysis of the original work was the cause of the erroneous conclusion that ortho and para acetylene molecules had substantially different collisional lifetime broadening. In the process, much improved broadening measurements have been made that will permit more reliable modeling of the effects in the future. Subsequently, we have completed a new set of measurements of self- and nitrogen-collisional broadening at a series of low and intermediate temperatures to characterize the temperature dependence of the effects in the molecule. This work is currently being analyzed and will be the subject of a paper to be published in the relatively near future. In addition, some very preliminary measurements of CH 4 as described in the proposal, have been completed. If facilities and time permit, these will continue as an undergraduate research project.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Spectroscopic Investigations of Molecular Symmetry Breakdown

This project addressed precise measurements of the spectra of molecules to address fundamental questions in chemical physics in the realm of nuclear spin symmetries and their breakdown in molecules, and parity non-conservation caused by the weak nuclear force. Nuclear spin symmetry is intimately connected to parity in symmetrical molecules and plays a central role in the physical and chemical properties of symmetric molecules, their collisional relaxation, and the establishment of thermodynamic equilibrium in an ensemble. Such effects are present in every molecular system or process, but their small size means they are often only directly observable under special conditions. However, their measurement is of fundamental, and often practical importance, and strongly relates to the themes of coherence in light and matter in the recent Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC) report “Challenges at the Frontiers of Matter and Energy: Transformative Opportunities for Discovery Science”.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

γIn-beam angular distribution and linear polarization measurements with GRETINA using a simple energy-ordering approach

Angular distribution and linear polarization measurements are powerful tools for inferring the spins and parities of nuclear levels. In this work, the performance of the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array (GRETINA) as a Compton polarimeter was characterized in a fusion-evaporation reaction experiment using a simple energy-ordering approach for the interaction points assigned in the signal decomposition process. A variety of multipolarities and characters for γ-ray transitions in the reaction products 25 Mg, 25 Na, and 22 Ne, formed from fusion-evaporation of an 18 O beam on a 9 Be target, were examined. The experimental angular distributions and linear polarization asymmetries were consistent with predictions using the theoretical formalism accounting for the Lorentz boost.

Angular distribution↗
DOE OSTI2022

Evolution of the j - 1 anomalous states of the j - 3 multiplets

We report in the nuclear shell model the j -1 anomaly is associated with unusual ordering of the j and j -1 states of a j -3 split multiplet. In the mass regions placed away from the doubly magic nuclei, the j-1 levels are found to be below the respective j states. The anomalous ordering of the levels is most prominent in the silver isotopic chain, but a similar effect is observed also in other systems with pure three-hole configurations. The correlation between the Δ E = E j-1 - E j energy splitting, observed in some odd-mass nuclei, and the even-even core's 2 + level energy is well pronounced in the (28,50) neutron and proton shells and to a lesser extent in the lower and higher (20,28) and (50, 82)

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Microsecond Isomer at the N = 20 Island of Shape Inversion Observed at FRIB

Excited-state spectroscopy from the first experiment at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) is reported. A 24(2)-μs isomer was observed with the FRIB Decay Station initiator (FDSi) through a cascade of 224- and 401-keV γ rays in coincidence with 32 Na nuclei. This is the only known microsecond isomer (1 μs ≤T 1/2 <1 ms) in the region. This nucleus is at the heart of the N=20 island of shape inversion and is at the crossroads of the spherical shell-model, deformed shell-model, and ab initio theories. It can be represented as the coupling of a proton hole and neutron particle to 32 Mg, 32 Mg+π -1 +ν +1 . This odd-odd coupling and isomer formation provides a sensitive measure of the underlying shape degrees of freedom of 32 Mg, where the onset of spherical-to-deformed shape inversion begins with a low-lying deformed 2 + state at 885 keV and a low-lying shape-coexisting 0$^+_2$ state at 1058 keV. Here, we suggest two possible explanations for the 625-keV isomer in 32 Na: a 6 - spherical shape isomer that decays by E2 or a 0 + deformed spin isomer that decays by M2. The present results and calculations are most consistent with the latter, indicating that the low-lying states are dominated by deformation.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Observation of collective modes of excitations in 59 Co, 59 Ni, and 61 Co and the influence of the $g_{9/2}$ orbital

High-spin states in 59 Co (Z = 27), 59 Ni (Z = 28), and 61 Co have been populated by the fusion evaporation reactions, 48 Ti( 14 C, p2n ) 59 Co, 48 Ti( 14 C, 3 n ) 59 Ni, and 50 Ti( 14 C, p2n ) 61 Co. The 9 MV tandem accelerator at the John D. Fox Laboratory, Florida State University (FSU) was used to accelerate the 14 C beam and the deexciting γ rays were detected by the FSU detector array consisting of six high-purity germanium (HPGe) clover detectors and three single crystals. Directional correlation of the $γ$ rays deexciting oriented states (DCO ratios) and polarization asymmetry measurements helped to establish spin and parities of the excited states whenever possible. The level scheme of 59 Co has been expanded with the inclusion of positive-parity states up to 31/2 + at around 11 MeV. The 59 Ni positive-parity states known from previous study were verified with modifications to some of the spins and parities. On the other hand, the negative-parity states were extended to 31/2 at an excitation energy of 12 MeV. No new transition was observed for 61 Co, but one of the major bands has been reassigned as consisting of positive-parity states by reason of this study. Importantly, excitations observed within the f 7/2 , p 3/2 , f 5/2 , and p 1/2 orbitals, and also across the N = 40 subshell closure into the g 9/2 orbital was established by comparison with large-scale shell-model calculations for the three nuclei studied.

59 ≤ A ≤ 89↗