Neutron Single Particle Structure in 131 Sn and Direct Neutron Capture Cross Sections
Not Available
Kozub, R. L.↗
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Neutron Capture Gamma-Ray Libraries for Nuclear Applications
The neutron capture reaction is useful in identifying and analyzing the gamma-ray spectrum from an unknown assembly as it gives unambiguous information on its composition. This can be done passively or actively where an external neutron source is used to probe an unknown assembly. There are known capture gamma-ray data gaps in the ENDF libraries used by transport codes for various nuclear applications. The Evaluated Gamma-ray Activation file (EGAF) is a new thermal neutron capture database of discrete line spectra and cross sections for over 260 isotopes that was developed as part of an IAEA Coordinated Research Project. EGAF is being used to improve the capture gamma production in ENDF libraries. For medium to heavy nuclei the quasi continuum contribution to the gamma cascades is not experimentally resolved. The continuum contains up to 90% of all the decay energy and is modeled here with the statistical nuclear structure code DICEBOX. This code also provides a consistency check of the level scheme nuclear structure evaluation. The calculated continuum is of sufficient accuracy to include in the ENDF libraries. This analysis also determines new total thermal capture cross sections and provides an improved RIPL database. For higher energy neutron capture there is less experimental data available making benchmarking of the modeling codes more difficult. We are investigating the capture spectra from higher energy neutrons experimentally using surrogate reactions and modeling this with Hauser-Feshbach codes. This can then be used to benchmark CASINO, a version of DICEBOX modified for neutron capture at higher energy. This can be used to simulate spectra from neutron capture at incident neutron energies up to 20 MeV to improve the gamma-ray spectrum in neutron data libraries used for transport modeling of unknown assemblies.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Enhancing the detector for advanced neutron capture experiments
The Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments (DANCE) has been used for extensive studies of neutron capture, gamma decay, photon strength functions, and prompt and delayed fission-gamma emission. Despite these successes, the potential measurements have been limited by the data acquisition hardware. We report on a major upgrade of the DANCE data acquisition that simultaneously enables strait-forward coupling to auxiliary detectors, including high-resolution high-purity germanium detectors and neutron tagging array. The upgrade will enhance the time domain accessible for time-of-flight neutron measurements as well as improve the resolution in the DANCE barium fluoride crystals for photons.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Neutron capture measurements at UMass lowell research reactor
A new facility was designed around the thermal column beam port of the 1 MW Research Reactor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Thermal neutrons are collimated to a 1-inch diameter beam and incident on samples to induce the radiative neutron capture. New measurements of capture gamma rays are planned for Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr, and Gd samples in the next few years. The experiments will be carried out in close collaboration with the ENSDF (Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File) evaluation group at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The gamma rays are measured using an array of high-resolution HPGe detectors. Some of the HPGe detectors use active Compton shields that were designed from scintillation detectors and improve significantly the signal-to-background in the measured gamma-ray spectra with HPGe. The experimental spectra will be validated by the GEANT4 simulations of the array and theoretical models of the emission of gamma rays from the compound nucleus. In conclusion, the new experimental results on the capture gamma ray intensities will be incorporated in future ENSDF evaluations.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Validating (d,p gamma) as a Surrogate for Neutron Capture
The r-process is responsible for creating roughly half of the elements heavier than iron. It has recently become understood that the rates at which neutron capture reactions proceed at late times in the r-process may dramatically affect the final abundance pattern. However, direct measurements of neutron capture reaction rates on exotic nuclei are exceptionally difficult, necessitating the development of indirect approaches such as the surrogate technique. The (d,pγ) reaction at low energies was identified as a promising surrogate for the (n,γ) reaction, as both reactions share many characteristics. We report on a program to validate (d,pγ) as a surrogate for (n,γ) using 95 Mo as a target. The experimental campaign includes direct measurements of the γ-ray intensities from the decay of excited states populated in the 95 Mo(n,γ) and 95 Mo(d,pγ) reactions.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Double Chooz {theta}13 measurement via total neutron capture detection
Neutrinos were assumed to be massless particles until the discovery of the neutrino oscillation process. This phenomenon indicates that the neutrinos have non-zero masses and the mass eigenstates (nu(1), nu(2), nu(3)) are mixtures of their flavour eigenstates (nu(e), nu(mu), nu(tau)). The oscillations between different flavour eigenstates are described by three mixing angles (theta(12), theta(23), theta(13)), two differences of the squared neutrino masses of the nu(2)/nu(1) and nu(3)/nu(1) pairs and a charge conjugation parity symmetry violating phase delta(CP). The Double Chooz experiment, located near the Chooz Electricite de France reactors, measures the oscillation parameter theta(13) using reactor neutrinos. Here, the Double Chooz collaboration reports the measurement of the mixing angle theta(13) with the new total neutron capture detection technique from the full data set, yielding sin(2)(2 theta(13)) = 0.105 +/- 0.014. This measurement exploits the multidetector configuration, the isoflux baseline and data recorded when the reactors were switched off. In addition to the neutrino mixing angle measurement, Double Chooz provides a precise measurement of the reactor neutrino flux, given by the mean cross-section per fission <sigma(f)& rang; = (5.71 +/- 0.06) x 10(-43) cm(2) per fission, and reports an empirical model of the distortion in the reactor neutrino spectrum. The Double Chooz collaboration reports the neutrino oscillation parameter theta(13) from a measurement of the disappearance of reactor anti-electron neutrinos with the total neutron capture technique.
Djurcic, Z.↗
Thermal Neutron Captures on d and {sup 3}He
We report on a study of the nd and n{sup 3}He radiative captures at thermal neutron energies, using wave functions obtained from either chiral or conventional two- and three-nucleon realistic potentials with the hyperspherical-harmonics method, and electromagnetic currents derived in chiral effective field theory up to one loop. The predicted nd and n{sup 3}He cross sections are in good agreement with data, but exhibit a significant dependence on the input Hamiltonian. A comparison is also made between these and new results for the nd and n{sup 3}He cross sections obtained in the conventional framework for both potentials and currents.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Measurement of Neutron-Capture Cross Sections of {sup 70,72}Ge Using the DANCE Facility
Approximately half of all atomic nuclei heavier than iron are synthesized by the slow neutroncapture process. The weak component of this process is not well understood and the reaction rates of each isotope in the s-process path affect nucleosynthesis abundances downstream.
Laminack, A.↗
The impact of updated Zr neutron-capture cross sections and new asymptotic giant branch models on our understanding of the S process and the origin of stardust
We present model predictions for the Zr isotopic ratios produced by slow neutron captures in C-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars of masses 1.25-4 M {sub ☉} and metallicities Z = 0.01-0.03, and compare them to data from single meteoritic stardust silicon carbide (SiC) and high-density graphite grains that condensed in the outflows of these stars. We compare predictions produced using the Zr neutron-capture cross sections from Bao et al. and from n{sub T}OF experiments at CERN, and present a new evaluation for the neutron-capture cross section of the unstable isotope {sup 95}Zr, the branching point leading to the production of {sup 96}Zr. The new cross sections generally present an improved match with the observational data, except for the {sup 92}Zr/{sup 94}Zr ratios, which are on average still substantially higher than predicted. The {sup 96}Zr/{sup 94}Zr ratios can be explained using our range of initial stellar masses, with the most {sup 96}Zr-depleted grains originating from AGB stars of masses 1.8-3 M {sub ☉} and the others from either lower or higher masses. The {sup 90,} {sup 91}Zr/{sup 94}Zr variations measured in the grains are well reproduced by the range of stellar metallicities considered here, which is the same needed to cover the Si composition of the grains produced by the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. The {sup 92}Zr/{sup 94}Zr versus {sup 29}Si/{sup 28}Si positive correlation observed in the available data suggests that stellar metallicity rather than rotation plays the major role in covering the {sup 90,} {sup 91,} {sup 92}Zr/{sup 94}Zr spread.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
Intracellular delivery and passive tumor targeting of a self-assembled nanogel containing carborane clusters for boron neutron capture therapy
Boron neutron capture therapy, based on the release of thermal neutron irradiation from boron, is a targeted radiation therapy for cancer. Targeted and sufficient accumulation of boron in tumor cells to achieve cytotoxic efficacy and reduce off-target effects remains a challenge. Carborane has been investigated for use as a delivery agent in boron neutron capture therapy because of its high boron content and chemical stability; however, it is cytotoxic, making safe delivery difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of carborane-bearing pullulan nanogels to safely and effectively deliver boron to tumor cells in vitro and in vivo and, consequently, assess their potential as a boron neutron capture therapeutic. Murine fibrosarcoma cells (CMS5a) were used for in vitro investigations of nanogel cytotoxicity, cell uptake. A mouse fibrosarcoma xenograft model was used to investigate the bio-distribution of nanogels after intravenous administration. The nanogels produced no apparent cytotoxicity and underwent cell uptake in CMS5a cells after a 24 h incubation at up to 2000 μg/mL and 400 μg/mL, respectively. The internalized nanogels were localized around the nuclear membrane. The nanogels were administered intravenously to mice bearing fibrosarcoma xenografts. Nanogel tumor localization likely occurred through the enhanced permeation and retention effect. The nanogels successfully reduced the cytotoxicity of carborane, were internalized into tumor cells, acted as a dual-delivery therapeutic and accumulated in tumors in vivo. Consequently, they demonstrate significant potential as a boron neutron capture therapeutic. - Highlights: • A carborane-bearing pullulan nanogel is developed as a boron delivery agent. • The nanogels are cell-friendly and show effective cell uptake for drug delivery. • The nanogels show passive tumor targeting by enhanced permeation and retention.
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
"Sequential” Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT): A Novel Approach to BNCT for the Treatment of Oral Cancer in the Hamster Cheek Pouch Model
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a binary treatment modality that involves the selective accumulation of 10B carriers in tumors followed by irradiation with a thermal or epithermal neutron beam. The minor abundance stable isotope of boron, 10B, interacts with low energy (thermal) neutrons to produce high linear energy transfer (LET) a-particles and 7Li ions. These disintegration products are known to have a high relative biological effectiveness (RBE). Their short range (<10 {micro}m) would limit the damage to cells containing 10B (1,2). Thus, BNCT would target tumor tissue selectively, sparing normal tissue. Clinical trials of BNCT for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme and/or melanoma and, more recently, head and neck tumors and liver metastases, using boronophenylalanine (BPA) or sodium mercaptoundecahydrododecaborane (BSH) as the 10B carriers, have been performed or are underway in Argentina, Japan, the US and Europe (e.g. 3-8). To date, the clinical results have shown a potential, albeit inconclusive, therapeutic advantage for this technique. Contributory translational studies have been carried out employing a variety of experimental models based on the implantation of tumor cells in normal tissue (e.g. 5).
38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
Feasibility study to use neutron capture for an ultralow energy nuclear-recoil calibration in liquid xenon
The feasibility of an ultra-low energy nuclear-recoil measurement in liquid xenon using neutron capture is investigated for a small (sub-kilogram) liquid xenon detector that is optimized for a high scintillation gain, and a pulsed neutron source. Further, the measurement uses the recoil energies imparted to xenon nuclei during the de-excitation process following neutron capture, where promptly emitted γ cascades can provide the nuclei with up to 0.3 keV nr of recoil energy due to conservation of momentum. A successful calibration of scintillation photon and ionization electron yields below this energy will contribute to a greater sensitivity for liquid xenon experiments in searches for light WIMPs.
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
Sensitivity studies for the weak r process: neutron capture rates
Rapid neutron capture nucleosynthesis involves thousands of nuclear species far from stability, whose nuclear properties need to be understood in order to accurately predict nucleosynthetic outcomes. Recently sensitivity studies have provided a deeper understanding of how the r process proceeds and have identified pieces of nuclear data of interest for further experimental or theoretical study. A key result of these studies has been to point out the importance of individual neutron capture rates in setting the final r-process abundance pattern for a ‘main’ (A ∼ 130 peak and above) r process. Here we examine neutron capture in the context of a ‘weak’ r process that forms primarily the A ∼ 80 r-process abundance peak. We identify the astrophysical conditions required to produce this peak region through weak r-processing and point out the neutron capture rates that most strongly influence the final abundance pattern.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Heavy-baryon chiral perturbation theory approach to thermal neutron capture on He 3
Not Available
Lazauskas, Rimantas↗
Neutron Capture Cross Sections and Gamma Emission Spectra from Neutron Capture on 234,236,238U measured with DANCE.
Abstract Not Provided
Nuclear Physics & Radiation Physics(73)↗
First Observation of 𝑃-odd 𝛾 Asymmetry in Polarized Neutron Capture on Hydrogen
Here, we report the first observation of the parity-violating gamma-ray asymmetry 𝐴$^{𝑛𝑝}_{𝛾}$ in neutron-proton capture using polarized cold neutrons incident on a liquid parahydrogen target at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 𝐴$^{𝑛𝑝}_{𝛾}$ isolates the Δ𝐼 =1, 3 𝑆 1 → 3 𝑃 1 component of the weak nucleon-nucleon interaction, which is dominated by pion exchange and can be directly related to a single coupling constant in either the DDH meson exchange model or pionless effective field theory. We measured 𝐴$^{𝑛𝑝}_{𝛾}$=[−3.0±1.4(stat)±0.2(syst)]×10 −8 , which implies a DDH weak 𝜋𝑁𝑁 coupling of ℎ$^1_𝜋$=[2.6±1.2(stat)±0.2(syst)]×10 −7 and a pionless EFT constant of 𝐶 3 𝑆 1 → 3 𝑃 1 /𝐶 0 =[−7.4±3.5(stat)±0.5(syst)]×10 −11 MeV −1 . We describe the experiment, data analysis, systematic uncertainties, and implications of the result.
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
Capturing the Future: Direct and Indirect Probes of Neutron Capture
This report documents aspects of direct and indirect neutron capture. The importance of neutron capture rates and methods to determine them are presented. The following conclusions are drawn: direct neutron capture measurements remain a backbone of experimental study; work is being done to take increased advantage of indirect methods for neutron capture; both instrumentation and facilities are making new measurements possible; more work is needed on the nuclear theory side to understand what is needed furthest from stability.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗