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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 1,657 records · Page 92
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Electron capture decay of 58-min U-229(92) and levels in Pa-229(91)

Electron capture decay of U-229 is investigated by measuring the gamma-ray and conversion electron spectra of mass-separated and unseparated U-229 sources with high-resolution germanium and silicon detectors, respectively. Gamma-gamma coincidence measurements are also performed using germanium detectors. These studies provide level energies and level ordering in Pa-229. Single-particle assignments are given to these levels which are in agreement with the systematics in this region and also with theory. In a previous study, we report the observation of a 5/2(+/-) parity doublet in the Pa-229 ground state, which is a signature of octupole deformation. The present analysis of the data still shows a splitting of 60 +/- 50 eV, but with this large uncertainty the existence of the doublet is not certain.

Ahmad, I.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Theoretical study of triaxial shapes of neutron-rich Mo and Ru nuclei

Here, whether atomic nuclei can possess triaxial shapes at their ground states is still a subject of ongoing debate. According to theory, good prospects for low-spin triaxiality are in the neutron-rich Mo-Ru region. Recently, transition quadrupole moments in rotational bands of even-mass neutron-rich isotopes of molybdenum and ruthenium nuclei have been measured. The new data have provided a challenge for theoretical descriptions invoking stable triaxial deformations. The purpose of this study is to understand experimental data on rotational bands in the neutron-rich Mo-Ru region, we carried out theoretical analysis of moments of inertia, shapes, and transition quadrupole moments of neutron-rich even-even nuclei around 110 Ru using self-consistent mean-field and shell model techniques. Methods: To describe yrast structures in Mo and Ru isotopes, we use nuclear density functional theory (DFT) with the optimized energy density functional UNEDF0. We also apply triaxial projected shell model (TPSM) to describe yrast and positive-parity, near-yrast band structures. As a result, our self-consistent DFT calculations predict triaxial ground-state deformations in 106,108 Mo and 108,110,112 Ru and reproduce the observed low-frequency behavior of moments of inertia. As the rotational frequency increases, a negative-gamma structure, associated with the aligned ν(h 11/2 ) 2 pair, becomes energetically favored. The computed transition quadrupole moments vary with angular momentum, which reflects deformation changes with rotation; those variations are consistent with experiment. The TPSM calculations explain the observed band structures assuming stable triaxial shapes. Lastly, the structure of neutron-rich even-even nuclei around Ru-110 is consistent with triaxial shape deformations. Our DFT and TPSM frameworks provide a consistent and complementary description of experimental data.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

High-spin yrast structure of Hg 204 from the decay of a four-hole, 22 + isomer

We present that a high-spin isomer with τ > 700 ns has been found in 204 Hg, populated in reactions of 1360-MeV 208 Pb and 330-MeV 48 Ca beams with a thick 238 U target and a 1450-MeV 208 Pb beam on a thick 208 Pb target. The observed γ-ray decay of the isomer has established the yrast states below it, including another isomer with τ = 33(3) ns. The experimental results are compared with shell-model calculations that include four holes in the configuration space between 132 Sn and 208 Pb. The available spectroscopic information, including transition strengths, total conversion, and angular correlation coefficients, together with the observed agreement with the calculations, allows spin, parity, and configuration assignments to be proposed for the experimental states. Finally, the τ > 700 ns isomer is the 22 + state of maximum spin available from the alignment of the four valence holes with the configuration πh$-2\atop{11/2}$vi$-2\atop{13/2}$.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Spin differences in the Zr 90 compound nucleus induced by ( p , p ' ) , ( p , d ) , and ( p , t ) surrogate reactions

Here, the effect of the production mechanism on the decay of a compound nucleus is investigated. The nucleus 90 Zr was produced by three different reactions, namely 90 Zr (p,p') 90 Zr, 91 Zr (p,d) 90 Zr, and 92 Zr (p,t) 90 Zr , which served as surrogate reactions for 89 Zr (n,γ). The spin-parity (J π ) distributions of the states populated by these reactions were studied to investigate the surrogate reaction approach, which aims at indirectly determining cross sections for compound-nuclear reactions involving unstable targets such as 89 Zr. Discrete γ rays, associated with transitions in 90 Zr and 89 Zr, were measured in coincidence with light ions for scattering angles of 25°–60° and 90 Zr excitation energies extending above the neutron separation energy. The measured transition systematics were used to gain insights into the J π distributions of 90 Zr. The 90 Zr (p,p') reaction was found to produce fewer γ rays associated with transitions involving high spin states (J = 6–8 ℏ) than the other two reactions, suggesting that inelastic scattering preferentially populates states in 90 Zr that have lower spins than those populated in the transfer reactions investigated. The γ-ray production was also observed to vary by factors of 2–3 with the angle at which the outgoing particle was detected. These findings are relevant to the application of the surrogate reaction approach.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Investigation of Y 88 via ( p , d γ ) reactions

We studied the low-spin structure of odd-odd 88 Y via (p,dγ) reactions on an 89Y target. The K150 Cyclotron at the Texas A&M University Cyclotron Institute was employed to provide a 28.5-MeV proton beam, and particle-γ and particle-γ-γ coincidence data were collected with the STARLiTeR array. Moreover, a number of new levels and γ rays have been observed below 2.5 MeV, while level and γ-ray energies as well as spin-parity assignments have been re-evaluated.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Deuteron-induced nucleon transfer reactions within an ab initio framework: First application to p -shell nuclei

Low-energy transfer reactions in which a proton is stripped from a deuteron projectile and dropped into a target play a crucial role in the formation of nuclei in both primordial and stellar nucleosynthesis, as well as in the study of exotic nuclei using radioactive beam facilities and inverse kinematics. Here, ab initio approaches have been successfully applied to describe the 3 H(d,n) 4 He and 3 He(d,p) 4 He fusion processes. An ab initio treatment of transfer reactions would also be desirable for heavier targets. In this work, we extend the ab initio description of (d,p) reactions to processes with light p-shell nuclei. As a first application, we study the elastic scattering of deuterium on 7 Li and the 7 Li(d,p) 8 Li transfer reaction based on a two-body Hamiltonian. We use the no-core shell model to compute the wave functions of the nuclei involved in the reaction, and describe the dynamics between targets and projectiles with the help of microscopic-cluster states in the spirit of the resonating group method. The shapes of the excitation functions for deuterons impinging on 7 Li are qualitatively reproduced up to the deuteron breakup energy. The interplay between d– 7 Li and p– 8 Li particle-decay channels determines some features of the 9 Be spectrum above the d+ 7 Li threshold. Our prediction for the parity of the 17.298 MeV resonance is at odds with the experimental assignment. Deuteron stripping reactions with p-shell targets can now be computed ab initio , but calculations are very demanding. Finally, a quantitative description of the 7 Li(d,p) 8 Li reaction will require further work to include the effect of three-nucleon forces and additional decay channels and to improve the convergence rate of our calculations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

β and β – n decay of the neutron-rich Ge 84 nucleus

In this study, the β-decay properties of the very neutron-rich 84 Ge nucleus were studied at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Several new γ-transitions and levels were added to its decay scheme and the order of the two lowest-lying levels in the daughter 84 As was corrected. For the first time γ radiation following β-delayed neutron emission was observed. The shell-model calculations and apparent β transition intensities were used to guide the spin assignment to the 84 As levels, in particular for the low-energy part of the level scheme. The new spin-parity (2 – ) proposed for the ground state of 84 As is supported also by the systematics of N = 51 isotones.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Improved limit on the Ra 225 electric dipole moment

In this study, octupole-deformed nuclei, such as that of 225 Ra, are expected to amplify observable atomic electric dipole moments (EDMs) that arise from time-reversal and parity-violating interactions in the nuclear medium. In 2015 we reported the first “proof-of-principle” measurement of the 225 Ra atomic EDM.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

New measurements of low-energy resonances in the Ne 22 ( p , γ ) Na 23 reaction

The Ne 22 ( p , γ ) Na 23 reaction is one of the most uncertain reactions in the NeNa cycle and plays a crucial role in the creation of Na 23 , the only stable Na isotope. Uncertainties in the low-energy rates of this and other reactions in the NeNa cycle lead to ambiguities in the nucleosynthesis predicted from models of thermally pulsing asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. This in turn complicates the interpretation of anomalous Na-O trends in globular cluster evolutionary scenarios. Prior studies of the Ne 22 ( p , γ ) Na 23 , Ne 22 ( He 3 , d ) Na 23 , and C 12 ( C 12 , p ) Na 23 reactions disagree on the strengths, spins, and parities of low-energy resonances in Na 23 and the direct-capture Ne 22 ( p , γ ) Na 23 reaction rate contains large uncertainties as well. Here, we present new measurements of resonances at E r c.m. = 417 , 178, and 151 keV and of the direct-capture process in the Ne 22 ( p , γ ) Na 23 reaction. The resulting total Ne 22 ( p , γ ) Na 23 rate is approximately a factor of 20 higher than the rate listed in a recent compilation at temperatures relevant to hot-bottom burning in AGB stars. Although our rate is close to that derived from a recent Ne 22 ( p , γ ) Na 23 measurement by Cavanna et al. in 2015, we find that this large rate increase results in only a modest 18% increase in the Na 23 abundance predicted from a 5 M ⊙ thermally pulsing AGB star model from Ventura and D'Antona (2005). The estimated astrophysical impact of this rate increase is in marked contrast to the factor of ~ 3 increase in Na 23 abundance predicted by Cavanna et al. and is attributed to the interplay between the Na 23 ( p , α ) Ne 20 and Ne 20 ( p , γ ) Na 21 reactions, both of which remain fairly uncertain at the relevant temperature range.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Scrutinizing the evidence for N ( 1685 )

The helicity-dependent observable E for the reaction γd → ηn(p) with a spectator proton was recently measured in this paper by the A2 Collaboration at MAMI in Mainz. The data were interpreted as further evidence for a narrow resonance with spin and parity J P = 1/2 + (P 11 wave). However, a full partial-wave analysis without any narrow resonance leads to an excellent description of the data. Finally, imposing a narrow resonance with the properties suggested by the A2 Collaboration leads to a significant deterioration of the fit quality: there is no need for a narrow resonance.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

New excitations in Ba 142 and Ce 144 : Evolution of γ bands in the N = 86 isotones

New excited states in 142 Ba and 144 Ce are investigated by means of prompt γ-ray spectroscopy of the radiation following spontaneous fission of 252 Cf. Measurements of angular correlations and the observed branchings allowed the assignment of spins and parities with confidence. The new measurements are reinforced by shell-model calculations where energy levels, electric transitions, and magnetic moments are consistent with experimental data. Lastly, the presence of collectivity in the N = 86 isotones is confirmed by clear signatures of soft triaxial γ bands in both nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Structure of Ne 20 states in resonance O 16 + α elastic scattering

Background: The nuclear structure of the cluster bands in 20 Ne presents a challenge for different theoretical approaches. It is especially difficult to explain the broad 0 + , 2 + states at 9 MeV excitation energy. Simultaneously, it is important to obtain more reliable experimental data for these levels in order to quantitatively assess the theoretical framework. Purpose: To obtain new data on 20 Ne α- cluster structure. Method: Thick target inverse kinematics technique was used to study the 16 O+α resonance elastic scattering and the data were analyzed using an R matrix approach. The 20 Ne spectrum, the cluster and nucleon spectroscopic factors were calculated using cluster-nucleon configuration interaction model (CNCIM). Results: We determined the parameters of the broad resonances in 20 Ne: 0 + level at 8.77 ± 0.150 MeV with a width of 750 $^{+500}_{-220}$ keV; 2 + level at 8.75 ± 0.100 MeV with the width of 695 ± 120 keV; the width of 9.48 MeV level of 65 ± 20 keV and showed that 9.19 MeV, 2 + level (if exists) should have width ≤ 10 keV. The detailed comparison of the theoretical CNCIM predictions with the experimental data on cluster states was made. Conclusions: Our experimental results by the TTIK method generally confirm the adopted data on α-cluster levels in 20 Ne. The CNCIM gives a good description of the 20 Ne positive parity states up to an excitation energy of ~7 MeV, predicting reasonably well the excitation energy of the states and their cluster and single particle properties. At higher excitations, the qualitative disagreement with the experimentally observed structure is evident, especially for broad resonances.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Spectroscopic study of the radionuclide 21 Na for the astrophysical 17 F(α,p) 20 Ne reaction rate

The 24 Mg(p,α) 21 Na reaction was measured at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to study the spectroscopy of the radionuclide 21 Na. A 31-MeV proton beam from the 25 MV tandem accelerator bombarded isotopically enriched 24 Mg targets. Recoiling 4 He particles were identified by an annular silicon strip detector array. Two energy levels at E x =6.594 and 7.132 MeV were observed for the first time. By comparing the experimentally obtained angular distributions and distorted wave Born approximation calculations, the spins and parities of 21 Na energy levels were constrained. The astrophysically-important 17 F(α,p) 20 Ne reaction rate was also calculated for the first time using resonance parameters for 12 energy levels.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Nucleon form factors in dispersively improved chiral effective field theory: Scalar form factor

We propose a method for calculating the nucleon form factors (FFs) of $G$-parity-even operators by combining Chiral Effective Field Theory ($\chi$EFT) and dispersion analysis. The FFs are expressed as dispersive integrals over the two-pion cut at $t > 4 M_\pi^2$. The spectral functions are obtained from the elastic unitarity condition and expressed as products of the complex $\pi\pi \rightarrow N\bar N$ partial-wave amplitudes and the timelike pion FF. $\chi$EFT is used to calculate the ratio of the partial-wave amplitudes and the pion FF, which is real and free of $\pi\pi$ rescattering in the $t$-channel ($N/D$ method). The rescattering effects are then incorporated by multiplying with the squared modulus of the empirical pion FF. The procedure results in a marked improvement compared to conventional $\chi$EFT calculations of the spectral functions. We apply the method to the nucleon scalar FF and compute the scalar spectral function, the scalar radius, the $t$-dependent FF, and the Cheng-Dashen discrepancy. Higher-order chiral corrections are estimated through the $\pi N$ low-energy constants. Results are in excellent agreement with dispersion-theoretical calculations. We elaborate several other interesting aspects of our method. The results show proper scaling behavior in the large-$N_c$ limit of QCD because the $\chi$EFT includes $N$ and $\Delta$ intermediate states. The squared modulus of the timelike pion FF required by our method can be extracted from Lattice QCD calculations of vacuum correlation functions of the operator at large Euclidean distances. Our method can be applied to the nucleon FFs of other operators of interest, such as the isovector-vector current, the energy-momentum tensor, and twist-2 QCD operators (moments of generalized parton distributions).

1=Nc expansion↗
DOE OSTI2018

Prompt and delayed spectroscopy of At 203 : Observation of a shears band and a 29 / 2 + isomeric state

Using fusion-evaporation reactions, a gas-filled recoil separator, recoil-gating technique and recoil-isomer decay tagging technique we have extended the level scheme of 203 At(N=118) significantly. We have observed an isomeric [τ=14.1(3)μs] state with a spin and parity of 29/2 + . The isomeric state is suggested to originate from the π(h 9/2 )Ⓧ|| 202 Po;11 – > coupling, and it is depopulated through 286 keV E 2 and 366 keV E 3 transitions. Additionally, we have observed a cascade of magnetic-dipole transitions which is suggested to be generated by the shears mechanism.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗