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At least 19 records

Strontium and Barium Isotopes in Presolar Silicon Carbide Graines Measured with CHILI-Two Types of X Grains.

We used CHILI, the Chicago Instrument for Laser Ionization, a new resonance ionization mass spectrometer developed for isotopic analysis of small samples, to analyze strontium, zirconium, and barium isotopes in 22 presolar silicon carbide grains. Twenty of the grains showed detectable strontium and barium, but none of the grains had enough zirconium to be detected with CHILI. Nine grains were excluded from further consideration since they showed very little signals (<1000 counts) for strontium as well as for barium. Among the 11 remaining grains, we found three X grains. The discovery of three supernova grains among only 22 grains was fortuitous, because only similar to 1% of presolar silicon carbide grains are type X, but was confirmed by silicon isotopic measurements of grain residues with NanoSIMS. While one of the X grains showed strontium and barium isotope patterns expected for supernova grains, the two other supernova grains have Sr-87/Sr-86 <0.5, values never observed in any natural sample before. From their silicon isotope ratios, the latter two grains can be classified as X2 grains, while the former grain belongs to the more common X1 group. The differences of these grains in strontium and barium isotopic composition constrain their individual formation conditions in Type II supernovae. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

barium isotopes↗

CORRELATED STRONTIUM AND BARIUM ISOTOPIC COMPOSITIONS OF ACID-CLEANED SINGLE MAINSTREAM SILICON CARBIDES FROM MURCHISON

We present strontium, barium, carbon, and silicon isotopic compositions of 61 acid-cleaned presolar SiC grains from Murchison. Comparison with previous data shows that acid washing is highly effective in removing both strontium and barium contamination. For the first time, by using correlated {sup 88}Sr/{sup 86}Sr and {sup 138}Ba/{sup 136}Ba ratios in mainstream SiC grains, we are able to resolve the effect of {sup 13}C concentration from that of {sup 13}C-pocket mass on s-process nucleosynthesis, which points toward the existence of large {sup 13}C pockets with low {sup 13}C concentrations in asymptotic giant branch stars. The presence of such large {sup 13}C pockets with a variety of relatively low {sup 13}C concentrations seems to require multiple mixing processes in parent asymptotic giant branch stars of mainstream SiC grains.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Barium isotopic composition of mainstream silicon carbides from Murchison: Constraints for s-process nucleosynthesis in asymptotic giant branch stars

We present barium, carbon, and silicon isotopic compositions of 38 acid-cleaned presolar SiC grains from Murchison. Comparison with previous data shows that acid washing is highly effective in removing barium contamination. Strong depletions in δ({sup 138}Ba/{sup 136}Ba) values are found, down to –400‰, which can only be modeled with a flatter {sup 13}C profile within the {sup 13}C pocket than is normally used. The dependence of δ({sup 138}Ba/{sup 136}Ba) predictions on the distribution of {sup 13}C within the pocket in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) models allows us to probe the {sup 13}C profile within the {sup 13}C pocket and the pocket mass in AGB stars. In addition, we provide constraints on the {sup 22}Ne(α, n){sup 25}Mg rate in the stellar temperature regime relevant to AGB stars, based on δ({sup 134}Ba/{sup 136}Ba) values of mainstream grains. We found two nominally mainstream grains with strongly negative δ({sup 134}Ba/{sup 136}Ba) values that cannot be explained by any of the current AGB model calculations. Instead, such negative values are consistent with the intermediate neutron capture process (i process), which is activated by the very late thermal pulse during the post-AGB phase and characterized by a neutron density much higher than the s process. These two grains may have condensed around post-AGB stars. Finally, we report abundances of two p-process isotopes, {sup 130}Ba and {sup 132}Ba, in single SiC grains. These isotopes are destroyed in the s process in AGB stars. By comparing their abundances with respect to that of {sup 135}Ba, we conclude that there is no measurable decay of {sup 135}Cs (t {sub 1/2} = 2.3 Ma) to {sup 135}Ba in individual SiC grains, indicating condensation of barium, but not cesium into SiC grains before {sup 135}Cs decayed.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Barium Isotopes in Single Presolar Grains

Barium isotopic compositions of single presolar grains were measured by laser ablation laser resonant ionization mass spectrometry and the implications of the data for stellar processes are discussed. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Pellin, M. J.↗

Barium isotopes in Allende meteorite - Evidence against an extinct superheavy element

Carbon and chromite fractions from the Allende meteorite that contain isotopically anomalous xenon-131 to xenon-136 (carbonaceous chondrite fission or CCF xenon) at up to 5 x 10 to the 11th atoms per gram show no detectable isotopic anomalies in barium-130 to barium-138. This rules out the possibility that the CCF xenon was formed by in situ fission of an extinct superheavy element. Apparently the CCF xenon and its carbonaceous carrier are relics from stellar nucleosynthesis.

Lewis, R. S.↗

Scattering lengths of calcium and barium isotopes

We have calculated the s-wave scattering length of all the even isotopes of calcium (Ca) and barium (Ba) in order to investigate the prospect of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC). For Ca we have used an accurate molecular potential based on detailed spectroscopic data. Our calculations show that Ca does not provide other isotopes alternative to the recently Bose condensed {sup 40}Ca that suffers strong losses because of a very large scattering length. For Ba we show by using a model potential that the even isotopes cover a broad range of scattering lengths, opening the possibility of BEC for at least one of the isotopes.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

A single column separation method for barium isotope analysis of geologic and hydrologic materials with complex matrices

Abstract The increasing significance of barium (Ba) in environmental and geologic research in recent years has led to interest in the application of the Ba isotopic composition as a tracer for natural materials with complex matrices. Most Ba isotope measurement techniques require separation of Ba from the rest of sample prior to analysis. This paper presents a method using readily available materials and disposable columns that effectively separates Ba from a range of geologic and hydrologic materials, including carbonate minerals, silicate rocks, barite, river water, and fluids with high total dissolved solids and organic content such as oil and gas brines, rapidly and without need for an additional cleanup column. The technique involves off-the-shelf columns and cation exchange resin and a two-reagent elution that uses 2.5 N HCl followed by addition of 2.0 N HNO 3 . We present data to show that major matrix elements from almost any natural material are separated from Ba in a single column pass, and that the method also effectively reduces or eliminates isobaric interferences from lanthanum and cerium.

Matecha, R. M.↗

A low abundance of “{sup 35}cs in the early solar system from barium isotopic signatures of volatile-depleted meteorites

Precise knowledge of the abundances of short-lived radionuclides at the start of the solar system leads to fundamental information about the stellar environment of solar system formation. Previous investigations of the short-lived {sup 135}Cs →{sup 135}Ba system (t {sub 1/2} = 2.3 Ma) have resulted in a range of calculated initial amounts of {sup 135}Cs, with most estimates elevated to a level that requires extraneous input of material to the protoplanetary disk. Such an array of proposed {sup 135}Cs/{sup 133}Cs initial solar system values has severely restricted the system’s use as both a possible chronometer and as an informant about supernovae input. However, if {sup 135}Cs was as abundant in the early solar system as previously proposed, the resulting deficits in its daughter product {sup 135}Ba would be easily detectable in volatile-depleted parent bodies (i.e., having sub-chondritic Cs/Ba) from the very early solar system. In this work, we show that angrites and eucrites, which were volatile-depleted within ∼1 million years of the start of the solar system, do not possess deficits in {sup 135}Ba compared to other planetary bodies. From this, we calculate an upper limit for the initial {sup 135}Cs/{sup 133}Cs of 2.8 × 10{sup −6}, well below previous estimates. This significantly lower initial {sup 135}Cs/{sup 133}Cs ratio now suggests that all of the {sup 135}Cs present in the early solar system was inherited simply from galactic chemical evolution and no longer requires an addition from an external stellar source such as an asymptotic giant branch star or SN II, corroborating evidence from several other short-lived radionuclides.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Isotopes of Barium as a Chronometer for Supernova Dust Formation

Ejecta from the explosion of massive stars (core-collapse supernovae) make an important contribution to dust in the interstellar medium. Furthermore, dust formation around supernovae is not a simple process, with the formation of several components over time. In particular, the exact timing is a matter of debate. Here, we demonstrate that the isotopic composition of barium in supernova grains that survived in primitive meteorites constitutes a potential chronometer. For a subset of supernova silicon carbide grains (X1 grains), the Ba isotopes indicate that they formed at roughly the same time, and that, at this time, a substantial fraction of the freshly produced unstable 137 Cs (half-life 30 yr) had already decayed into 137 Ba. Application to the 137 Cs/ 137 Ba system of nucleosynthesis models that replicate the abundance patterns of stable neutron capture isotopes in these grains indicates a surprisingly late (~20 yr) timescale for condensation, a conclusion that naturally rests on the reliability of these models.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The {sup 13}C-pocket structure in AGB models: constraints from zirconium isotope abundances in single mainstream SiC grains

We present postprocess asymptotic giant branch (AGB) nucleosynthesis models with different {sup 13}C-pocket internal structures to better explain zirconium isotope measurements in mainstream presolar SiC grains by Nicolussi et al. and Barzyk et al. We show that higher-than-solar {sup 92}Zr/{sup 94}Zr ratios can be predicted by adopting a {sup 13}C-pocket with a flat {sup 13}C profile, instead of the previous decreasing-with-depth {sup 13}C profile. The improved agreement between grain data for zirconium isotopes and AGB models provides additional support for a recent proposal of a flat {sup 13}C profile based on barium isotopes in mainstream SiC grains by Liu et al.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

γ -soft Ba 146 and the role of nonaxial shapes at N ≈ 90

Low-spin states in the neutron-rich, N = 90 nuclide 146 Ba were populated following β decay of 146 Cs , with the goal of clarifying the development of deformation in barium isotopes through delineation of their nonyrast structures. Fission fragments of 146 Cs were extracted from a 1.7-Ci 252 Cf source and mass selected using the CAlifornium Rare Ion Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) facility. Low-energy ions were deposited at the center of a box of thin β detectors, surrounded by a highly efficient high-purity Ge array. The new 146 Ba decay scheme now contains 31 excited levels extending up to ~2.5 MeV excitation energy, double what was previously known. These data are compared to predictions from the interacting boson approximation (IBA) model. It appears that the abrupt shape change found at N = 90 in Sm and Gd is much more gradual in Ba and Ce, due to an enhanced role of the γ degree of freedom.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Molybdenum Isotopes in Presolar Silicon Carbide Grains: Details of s -process Nucleosynthesis in Parent Stars and Implications for r - and p -processes

We have analyzed molybdenum isotopes, together with strontium and barium isotopes, in 18 presolar silicon carbide grains using the Chicago Instrument for Laser Ionization (CHILI), a resonance ionization mass spectrometer. All observed isotope ratios can be explained by mixtures of pure s-process matter with isotopically solar material. Grain residues were subsequently analyzed for carbon, nitrogen, silicon, and sulfur isotopes, as well as a subset for 26 Al– 26 Mg systematics using the NanoSIMS. These analyses showed that all but one grain are mainstream grains, most probably coming from low-mass asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. One grain is of the AB type, for which the origin is still a matter of debate. The high precision of molybdenum isotope measurements with CHILI provides the best estimate to date for s -process molybdenum made in low-mass AGB stars. The average molybdenum isotopic abundances produced by the s -process found in the analyzed mainstream SiC grains are 0% 92 Mo, 0.73% 94 Mo, 13.30% 95 Mo, 36.34% 96 Mo, 9.78% 97 Mo, 39.42% 98 Mo, and 0.43% 100 Mo. Solar molybdenum can be explained as a combination of 45.9% s -process, 30.6% r -process, and 23.5% p -process contributions. Moreover, the observed variability in the individual grain data provides insights into the variability of conditions (neutron density, temperature, and timescale) during s -process nucleosynthesis in the grains' parent stars, as they have subtle effects on specific molybdenum isotope ratios. Lastly, the results indicate that the ratio between p - and r -process molybdenum in presolar SiC from many different types of parent stars is Mo p /Mo r = 0.767, the value inferred for the solar system and consistent with what has been found in bulk samples and leachates of primitive meteorites.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

High-resolution spectroscopy of barium monofluoride: Odd isotopologues, hyperfine structure, and isotope shifts

Barium monofluoride (BaF) is a promising molecular species for precision tests of fundamental symmetries and interactions. We present a combined theoretical and experimental study of BaF spectra and isotope shifts, focusing in particular on the poorly understood odd isotopologues 137 BaF and 135 BaF. By comparing state-of-the-art ab initio calculations with high-resolution fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy data, we provide a benchmark for electronic structure theory and disentangle the hyperfine and rovibrational spectra of the five most abundant isotopologues, from 138 BaF to 134 BaF. The comprehensive knowledge gained enables a King plot analysis of the isotope shifts that reveals the odd-even staggering of the barium nuclear charge radii. It also paths the way for improved laser cooling of rare BaF isotopologues and crucially supports future measurements of nuclear anapole and Schiff moments.

Kogel, Felix [Univ. of Stuttgart (Germany)] (ORCID↗

Direct Measurement of Octupole Deformation in 146 Ba

The octupole strength present in the neutron-rich, radioactive nucleus 146 Ba has been experimentally determined for the first time using Coulomb excitation. To achieve this, A=146 fission fragments from CARIBU were post-accelerated by the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) and impinged on a thin 208 Pb target. Using the GRETINA gamma-ray spectrometer and the CHICO2 heavy-ion counter, the reduced transition probability B(E3; 3- ->0 + ) was determined as 48(+21/-29) W.u. The new result provides further experimental evidence for the presence of a region of octupole deformation surrounding the neutron-rich barium isotopes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 127

The 1996 evaluation for the A=127 mass chain (1996Ki01) has been revised. The experimental results from various decays and reactions for the A=127 mass chain have been compiled and evaluated. The nuclides covered in this evaluation are from {sup 127}Ag to {sup 127}Nd. The data are summarized and presented, together with adopted level schemes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗