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At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Dataset of tensile properties for sub-sized specimens of nuclear structural materials

Mechanical testing with sub-sized specimens plays an important role in the nuclear industry, facilitating tests in confined experimental spaces with lower irradiation levels and accelerating the qualification of new materials. The reduced size of specimens results in different material behavior at the microscale, mesoscale, and macroscale, in comparison to standard-sized specimens, which is referred to as the “specimen size effect.” Although analytical models have been proposed to correlate the properties of sub-sized specimens to standard-sized specimens, these models lack broad applicability across different materials and testing conditions. The objective of this study is to create the first large public dataset of tensile properties for sub-sized specimens used in nuclear structural materials. We performed an extensive literature review of relevant publications and extracted over 1,000 tensile testing records comprising 55 columns including material type and composition, manufacturing information, irradiation conditions, specimen dimensions, and tensile properties. The dataset can serve as a valuable resource to investigate the specimen size effect and develop computational methods to correlate the tensile properties of sub-sized specimens.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Advanced Ab Initio Methods for Nuclear Structure (Final Report)

Over the past decade, there has been enormous progress in the description of nuclear structure from first principles, using interactions from Chiral Effective Field Theory that are rooted in Quantum Chromodynamics, the fundamental theory of strong interactions, and many-body methods that solve the Schrödinger equation with systematically improvable approximations. Amongst those are the family of In-Medium Similarity Renormalization Group (IMSRG) framework developed by the PI and his co-workers. While these methods scale polynomially in the size N of the single-particle basis, computational efforts still grows dramatically as we increase the degrees of freedom for the nucleons by relaxing symmetries or introducing continuum couplings (see below), or as we push to improved truncations to provide precise inputs for experimental efforts, in particular in fundamental symmetry searches. In order to address this growing computational cost, one focus area of this award was the exploration of compression and factorization methods. The key to success or failure is the presence of low-rank structures within the matrix elements of NN and 3N interactions or the IMSRG evolution operator, and a means to reformulate the method that will let us exploit them.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Weak entanglement approximation for nuclear structure

The interacting shell model, a configuration-interaction method, is a venerable approach for low-lying nuclear structure calculations, but it is hampered by the exponential growth of its basis dimension as one increases the single-particle space and/or the number of active particles. Recent, quantum-information-inspired work has demonstrated that the proton and neutron sectors of a nuclear wave function are weakly entangled. Furthermore, the entanglement is smaller for nuclides away from N = Z, such as heavy, neutron-rich nuclides. Here, in this study, we implement a weak entanglement approximation to bipartite configuration-interaction wave functions, approximating low-lying levels by coupling a relatively small number of many-proton and many-neutron states. This truncation scheme, which we present in the context of past approaches, reduces the basis dimension by many orders of magnitude while preserving essential features of nuclear spectra.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Guidelines for Nuclear Structure Evaluators

This document sets forth the policies and procedures for preparing mass chain evaluations for the Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF). Also included are some appendices which are referred to or augment material in the guidelines. See section on Appendices for details and references to additional material.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

An alternative viewpoint on the nuclear structure towards 100 Sn: Lifetime measurements in 105 Sn

This work aims at presenting an alternative approach to the long standing problem of the B(E2) values in Sn isotopes in the vicinity of the N=Z double-magic nucleus 100 Sn, until now predominantly measured with relativistic and intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation reactions. The direct measurement of the lifetime of low-lying excited states in odd-even Sn isotopes provides a new and precise guidance for the theoretical description of the nuclear structure in this region. Lifetime measurements have been performed in 105 Sn for the first time with the coincidence Recoil Distance Doppler Shift technique. The lifetime results for the $7/2^+_1$ first excited state and the $11/2^+_1$ state, $2^+ (^{104}$Sn) Ⓧ $v1g_{7/2}$ multiplet member, are discussed in comparison with state-of-the-art shell model and mean field calculations, highlighting the crucial contribution of proton excitation across the core of 100 Sn. The reduced transition probability B(E2) of the $11/2^+_1$ core-coupled state points out an enhanced staggering with respect to the B(E2; $2^+_1$ → $0^+_1$) in the even-mass 104 Sn and 106 Sn isotopes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Microstructure modeling of nuclear structural materials: Recent progress and future directions

Modeling and simulation of microstructures are essential to understand the complex responses and behaviors of nuclear materials in extreme environments. The needs to assess the extended life operation as well as the growing interest in accelerating nuclear materials development and qualification have stimulated the use of high-fidelity multiscale models aided by empirical and ab initio data. This paper reviews the role of various models across different length and time scales in investigating irradiation effects on microstructure evolution and degradation, in particular the embrittlement caused by radiation induced or enhanced formation of nanoscale chemical heterogeneities. The strength and limitations of these models, including classical rate theories, cluster dynamics, phase-field methods, and atomistic models informed by ab initio energies, are discussed with seminal examples. Challenges regarding the lack of thermo-kinetic data and theoretical treatments considering chemical complexities and magnetic excitations, as well as the stabilizing effect by excess point defects in nuclear structural materials are presented, along with potential solutions based on ab initio informed surrogate energy models and statistical sampling by Monte Carlo simulations. Further, the review then highlights the opportunities to leverage the advantages of different methods by establishing hybrid models by shared variables or coupled codes and applications. Finally, the review concludes with forward-looking remarks on how the use of physics-based models can aid the improvement of machine-learning models of property degradation and vice versa.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Solving nuclear structure problems with the adaptive variational quantum algorithm

Here we use the Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick (LMG) model and the valence-space nuclear shell model to examine the likely performance of variational quantum eigensolvers in nuclear-structure theory. The LMG model exhibits both a phase transition and spontaneous symmetry breaking at the mean-field level in one of the phases, features that characterize collective dynamics in medium-mass and heavy nuclei. We show that with appropriate modifications, the ADAPT-VQE algorithm, a particularly flexible and accurate variational approach, is not troubled by these complications. We treat up to 12 particles and show that the number of quantum operations needed to approach the ground-state energy scales linearly with the number of qubits. We find similar scaling when the algorithm is applied to the nuclear shell model with realistic interactions in the sd and pf shells. Although most of these simulations contain no noise, we use a noise model from real IBM hardware to show that for the LMG model with four particles, weak noise has no effect on the efficiency of the algorithm.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Symmetric-asymmetric collision comparison: Disentangling nuclear structure and subnucleonic structure effects for small system flow

Previous flow measurements in small collision systems were mostly based on highly asymmetric collisions (p+Pb, p+Au, d+Au, 3 He+Au), where both nuclear structure and subnucleonic fluctuations are important. Comparing these asymmetric systems with the newly available symmetric 16 O+ 16 O collisions at RHIC and LHC provides a unique opportunity to disentangle these two contributions. Using Glauber models incorporating both nucleon and quark-level substructure, we analyze multiplicity distributions and initial-state estimators: eccentricities ε n for anisotropic flow ν n and inverse transverse size d ⟂ for radial flow. We find that subnucleonic fluctuations impact O+O collisions differently from asymmetric systems, creating specific patterns in flow observables that enable disentangling the competing contributions. Such experimental comparisons will reduce uncertainties in the initial conditions and improve our understanding of the properties of the QGP-like medium produced in small systems.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Nuclear Structure at the Crossroads

Abstract Steven Weinberg’s seminal papers from 1990–92 initiated the use of effective field theories (EFTs) for nuclei. We summarize progress, priorities, and open questions for nuclear EFT developments based on the 2019 INT program “Nuclear Structure at the Crossroads.”

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2024

Nuclear structure opportunities with GeV radioactive beams at FAIR

The Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) is in its final construction stage next to the campus of the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung Helmholtzzentrum for heavy-ion research in Darmstadt, Germany. Once it starts its operation, it will be the main nuclear physics research facility in many basic sciences and their applications in Europe for the coming decades. Owing to the ability of the new fragment separator, Super-FRagment Separator, to produce high-intensity radioactive ion beams in the energy range up to about 2 GeV/nucleon, these can be used in various nuclear reactions. This opens a unique opportunity for various nuclear structure studies across a range of fields and scales: from low-energy physics via the investigation of multi-neutron systems and halos to high-density nuclear matter and the equation of state, following heavy-ion collisions, fission and study of short-range correlations in nuclei and hypernuclei. Here, the newly developed reactions with relativistic radioactive beams (R3B) set up at FAIR would be the most suitable and versatile for such studies. An overview of highlighted physics cases foreseen at R3B is given, along with possible future opportunities, at FAIR.

FAIR↗
DOE OSTI2023

Colliding localized, lumpy holographic shocks with a granular nuclear structure

We apply a recent and simple technique which speeds up the calculation of localized collisions in holography to study more realistic models of the pre-hydrodynamic phase of heavy ion collisions using gauge/gravity duality. Our initial data reflects the lumpy nuclear structure of real heavy ions and our projectiles’ aspect ratio mimics the Lorentz contraction of nuclei during RHIC collisions. At the hydrodynamization time of the central region of the quark gluon plasma developed during the collision, we find that most of the system’s vorticity is located well outside the hydrodynamized part of the plasma. Only the relativistic corrections to the thermal vorticity within the hydrodynamized region are non-negligible. We compare the transverse flow shortly after the collision with previous results which did not use granular initial conditions and determine the proper energy density and fluid velocity in the hydrodynamized subregion of the plasma.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Probing nuclear structure with mean transverse momentum in relativistic isobar collisions

Transverse momentum (p⊥) generation in relativistic heavy-ion collisions is sensitive to the initial geometry and the final-state bulk evolution. We demonstrate with hydrodynamic calculations that the mean p⊥ ratio (R $\langle p⊥ \rangle$ ) between the highly similar isobar $^{96}_{44}$RU + $^{96}_{44}$RU and $^{96}_{44}$Zr + $^{96}_{44}$Zr collisions is insensitive to the bulk evolution and remains sensitive to the small difference in the initial nuclear structure (neutron skin and deformation) between the Ru and Zr nuclei. Here, we further find that nuclear deformation can produce an anticorrelation between R $\langle p⊥ \rangle$ and eccentricity (or elliptic flow) in central collisions. These findings suggest that the R $\langle p⊥ \rangle$ between the isobar systems can be used to measure the neutron skin thickness and deformation parameters, which can, in turn, constrain the nuclear symmetry energy slope parameter.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

The Jefferson Lab tritium program of nucleon and nuclear structure measurements

In this work a series of experiments were performed in Hall A of Jefferson Lab in 2018 that used a novel tritium and helium-3 target system. These experiments took advantage of the isospin symmetry of these mirror nuclei to make precise measurements of isospin dependence in both nucleon and nuclear structure. We summarize here the design and properties of these cells, the physics measurements that have been published, and results currently under analysis from this program.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Discussion of Strength Reduction Factor Development for Thermal Aging Effect on Nuclear Structural Alloys

In consideration of structural alloy property deterioration during long-term exposure to elevated temperatures, the yield and ultimate tensile strength reduction factors are provided in the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III for nuclear reactor component design and operation analysis. Because the Gen IV reactor requirement of 40 ~ 60 years of service life makes it difficult to acquire such long exposure test data for developing the reduction factors, they must be derived from test data with relatively short exposure by predictive methods considered to be reasonably reliable. A novel approach with a physically-based model has recently been proposed for application to development of reduction factors for 9Cr-1Mo-V. In the model, contributors to the tensile strength are first identified and related to definite microstructural features of the alloy, then some physically-based methods are employed to simulate the microstructural evolution, and finally the model is assembled with test-data-calibrated parameters to generate the yield and ultimate tensile strength reduction factors covering elevated temperature exposure for up to 57 years. The approach is undoubtedly a trailblazing development that will, if proven reliable, lead to a paradigm shift in predicting thermal aging behavior of many other alloys. Its debut application to Section III, however, concerns nuclear safety and naturally warrants objective, impartial, and thorough technical scrutiny. In the present paper, the novel and conventional approaches are discussed. Necessary improvements to the novel approach are recommended for its application to nuclear structural component design and analysis, and for its potential expanded use to other alloys.

Ren, Weiju↗
DOE OSTI2024

Predicting nucleon-nucleus scattering observables using nuclear structure theory

Developing a predictive capability for inelastic scattering will find applications in multiple areas. Experimental data for neutron-nucleus inelastic scattering is limited and thus one needs a robust theoretical framework to complement it. Charged-particle inelastic scattering can be used as a surrogate for ( n, γ ) reactions to predict capture cross sections for unstable nuclei. Our work uses microscopic nuclear structure calculations for spherical nuclei to obtain nucleon-nucleus scattering potentials and calculate cross sections for these processes. We implement the Jeukenne, Lejeune, Mahaux (JLM) semi-microscopic folding approach, where the medium effects on nuclear interaction are parameterized in nuclear matter to obtain the nucleon-nucleon ( NN ) interaction in a medium at positive energies. We solve for the nuclear ground state using the Hartree-Fock-Bogliubov (HFB) many-body method, assuming the nucleons within the nucleus interact via the Gogny-D1M potential. The vibrational excited states of the target nucleus are calculated using the quasi-particle random phase approximation (QRPA). We demonstrate our approach for spherical nuclei in the medium-mass region, showing scattering results for the 90 Zr nucleus.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Nuclear Structure Studies at the Limits of Stability

On the quest for a predictive model of atomic nuclei, the properties of rare isotopes have emerged as critical observables that benchmark extrapolations, identify missing physics ingredients in models, or that enable discovery science. Formerly NSCL and now FRIB facilitate world-leading experiments due to the availability of fast, stopped, and reaccelerated rare-isotope beams in conjunction with unique instruments. DOE-SC NP Award DE-SC0020451 supported from 2019 to 2023 MSU’s nuclear structure and reactions program that tackles compelling questions in the field with complementary techniques, probing single-particle and collective degrees of freedom in relevant regions of the nuclear chart and enabled developments that positioned the PIs and their research groups for first FRIB science.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Influence of nonstatistical properties in nuclear structure on emission of prompt fission neutrons

We report the Hauser-Feshbach fission-fragment decay (HF 3 D) model is extended to calculate the prompt fission neutron spectrum (PFNS) for the thermal-neutron-induced fission on 235 U, where the evaporated neutrons from all possible fission-fragment pairs are aggregated. By studying model parameter sensitivities on the calculated PFNS as well as nonstatistical behavior of low-lying discrete level spin distribution, we conclude that discrepancies between the aggregation calculation and the experimental PFNS seen at higher neutron emission energies can be attributed to both the primary fission-fragment yield distribution and the possible high spin states that are not predicted by the statistical theory of nuclear structure.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay of 136 Xe and Related Nuclear Structure Studies (Final Scientific Report)

The search for neutrinoless double-beta decay (0nbb) explores new physics by directly probing the unknown mass scale and possible Majorana nature of the neutrino. The nEXO experiment, one of the two leading proposed ton-scale projects in the US, has a projected sensitivity to the 136 Xe 0nbb half-life of 10 28 years. The interpretation of possible signals in this next generation of experiments would be complicated by significant variations in theoretical calculations of the nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) of the decay, and nuclear structure measurements testing those theories can help address that uncertainty. We have 136 Xe(p,n) 136 Cs reaction at TUNL to deduce the level-scheme of states in 136 Cs through which the lowest-lying 1+ state decays. We find that over 99% of such decays will proceed through at least one isomeric state with a lifetime of order 100ns, which would enable large xenon detectors to employ a delayed-coincidence technique to search for charge-exchange processes including solar neutrino interactions. We have carried out measurements at TUNL of the 134 Xe( 3 He,n) 136 Ba and 136 Xe( 3 He,n) 138 Ba reactions to low-lying 0 + states in the residuals to probe the BCS assumption for QRPA NME calculations for the initial and final nuclei in 136 Xe 0nbb. While the analyses of these reactions is not yet complete and is ongoing, our initial results indicate tension with the BCS assumption. We have assembled a thermosyphon cooling R&D system for nEXO which has demonstrated up to 500 W of cooling in vacuum. We have developed a simple thermosyphon cooling simulation for nEXO and planned laboratory tests with the R&D system to benchmark it.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗