Search

We present the first experimental evidence of the scissors mode in the superheavy nucleus $^{254}$No produced in the $^{208}$Pb($^{48}$Ca, 2nγ))$^{254}$No reaction. The spectrum of γ rays emitted by the excited $^{254}$No nuclei shows an enhanced γ-ray yield for transition energies of ≈2.5 MeV. By measuring the linear polarization properties of the emitted γ rays, we confirm that the transitions in the enhancement region are predominantly of magnetic-dipole character, characteristic for the scissors mode. To further characterize the enhanced γ-ray yield, simulations of the electromagnetic decay of $^{254}$No were performed. The observed enhancement is reproduced by including an M1 component in the γ strength function with total strength B(M1↑)=11.8(19)μN2. This is in good agreement with the integrated M1 strength from sum-rule estimates and new calculations within the quasi-particle random-phase approximation presented here. Our results provide a stringent test of phenomenological formulae for the scissors mode currently used in stellar nucleosynthesis calculations. We find that those formulae are not satisfactory, and we recommend using sum-rule estimates assuming a rigid-body moment of inertia instead for describing the scissors mode in superheavy nuclei.

The structure of $^{83}$As, $^{85}$As and $^{87}$As have been studied in fusion-fission reaction $^{238}$U+$^9$Be. Fission fragments were identified in mass and atomic number using the VAMOS++ spectrometer and the coincident $\gamma$-rays were detected in the $\gamma$-ray tracking array AGATA. New transitions in $^{83}$As and $^{85}$As are reported and placed in the level schemes. A level scheme of the excited states in $^{87}$As is proposed for the first time. The data are interpreted in frame of Large-Scale Shell-Model calculations, SU3 symmetries and Beyond Mean-Field frameworks. A spherical regime at magic number $N$=50 is predicted and the location of the proton $g_{9/2}$ orbital is proposed for the first time. Development of collectivity in a prolate deformed, $\gamma$-soft regime in the open shell cases $^{85}$As and $^{87}$As, most neutron-rich isotopes beyond $N$=50, is concluded. Data and theoretical calculations give confidence to a relatively high extrapolated excitation energy about 4 MeV of the $9/2^+$ state in $^{79}$Cu, one proton above $^{78}$Ni.

We have measured the gamma-ray line production cross sections in proton-induced nuclear reactions on various target nuclei abundant in astrophysical sites over the incident energy range of Ep = 30 - 200 MeV. We carried out experimental campaigns in joint collaboration at the K = 200 cyclotron of iThemba LABS using a high-energy resolution, high-efficiency detection array composed of 8 Compton-suppressed clover detectors comprising 32 HP-Ge crystals for recording the gamma-ray spectra. In the current paper, we focus on de-excitation lines produced in proton irradiations of natC and Mylar targets. In particular, on the prominent 4.439 and 6.129 MeV lines of $^{12}$C and $^{16}$O which are among the strongest lines emitted in solar flares and in interactions of low-energy cosmic rays with the gas and dust of the inner galaxy. We report new gamma-ray production experimental cross section data for ten nuclear lines that we compare to previous low-energy data sets from the literature, to the predictions of the TALYS code of modern nuclear reactions and to a semi-empirical compilation. In first approach, performing calculations with default input parameters of TALYS we observed substantial deviations between the predicted cross sections and experimental data. Then, using modified optical model potential and nuclear level deformation parameters as input data we generated theoretical excitation functions for the above two main lines fully consistent with experimental data. In contrast, the experimental data sets for the other eight analyzed lines from the two proton-irradiated targets exhibit significant deviations with the predicted cross section values. We also report line-shape experimental data for the line complex observed at $E_g$ = 4.44 MeV in irradiations of the two targets. Finally, we emphasize the astrophysical implications of our results., Comment: 44 pages, 7 tables, 13 figures

International audience; The structure of As83, As85, and As87 have been studied in fusion-fission reaction U238+Be9. Fission fragments were identified in mass and atomic number using the VAMOS++ spectrometer and the coincident γ rays were detected in the γ-ray tracking array AGATA. New transitions in As83 and As85 are reported and placed in the level schemes. A level scheme of the excited states in As87 is proposed for the first time. The data are interpreted in frame of large-scale shell-model calculations, SU3 symmetries, and beyond mean-field frameworks. A spherical regime at magic number N=50 is predicted and the location of the proton g9/2 orbital is proposed for the first time. Development of collectivity in a prolate deformed, γ-soft regime in the open shell cases As85 and As87, most neutron-rich isotopes beyond N=50, is concluded. Data and theoretical calculations give confidence to a relatively high extrapolated excitation energy about 4 MeV of the 9/2+ state in Cu79, one proton above Ni78.

Excited states in the mirror nuclei $^{31}$P and $^{31}$S were populated in the 1p and 1n exit channels of the reaction $^{20}$Ne + $^{12}$C, at a beam energy of 33 MeV. The $^{20}$Ne beam was delivered for the first time by the Piave-Alpi accelerator of the Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro. Angular correlations of coincident γ-rays and Doppler-shift attenuation lifetime measurements were performed using the multi-detector array GASP in conjunction with the EUCLIDES charged particle detector. In the observed B(E1) strengths, the isoscalar component, amounting to 24% of the isovector one, provides strong evidence for breaking of the isospin symmetry in the A=31 mass region. Self-consistent beyond mean field calculations using Equation of Motion method based on a chiral potential and including two- and three-body forces reproduce well the experimental B(E1) strengths, reinforcing our conclusion. Coherent mixing from higher-lying states involving the Giant Isovector Monopole Resonance accounts well for the effect observed. The breaking of the isospin symmetry originates from the violation of the charge symmetry of the two- and three-body parts of the potential, only related to the Coulomb interaction.

International audience; Background: Neutron-rich nuclei in the A≈140–160 mass region provide valuable information on nuclear structure such as quadrupole- and octupole-shape coexistence and the evolution of the collectivity. These nuclei have also a nuclear engineering interest because they contribute to the total decay heat after a fission burst. The information concerning La145 is very limited.Purpose: The study of low-spin states in La145 will provide a more detailed level scheme and enable the determination of the half-lives of the excited states.Methods: Low-spin excited states in La145 have been investigated from the Ba145β− decay. The Ba145 nuclei were directly produced by photofission in the ALTO facility or obtained from the β− decay of Cs145 also produced by photofission. Gamma spectroscopy and fast-timing techniques were used.Results: A new level scheme was proposed including 67 excited levels up to about 3 MeV and 164 transitions. Half-lives in the few-nanosecond range were measured for the first excited states. Configurations for levels up to ≈600 keV were discussed.Conclusions: The available information on the low-spin states of La145 has been modified and considerably extended. The analysis of the properties of the first excited states, such as excitation energies, decay modes, log ft values, reduced transition probabilities, and Weisskopf hindrance factors, has enabled the identification of the first members of the bands corresponding to the g7/2, d5/2, and h11/2 proton configurations.

International audience; Nuclear deexcitation lines are regularly observed in the γ-ray emission spectra of strong solar flares. The most prominent lines are produced by interactions of protons and α particles, accelerated up to hundreds of MeV, with abundant nuclei of the solar atmosphere. Analysis and interpretation of these lines, which carry valuable information on the solar flare properties, need cross-section data for the γ-ray line emission in these interactions for a wide particle energy range. To this purpose, we measured the γ-ray emission in interactions of α-particle beams of Eα=50–90 MeV with target foils of C, Mg, Si, and Fe at the center for proton therapy of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin. Setups of three high-purity Ge detectors and one LaBr3:Ce detector have been employed to detect the γ rays in two experiment campaigns. Relatively large distances of the detectors from the target and pulsed beams with sub-ns-wide pulses allowed the separation of beam-induced prompt γ-ray emission from the targets from other γ rays and neutron-induced background. γ-ray production cross sections for about 60 deexcitation lines from excited target nuclei or reaction products have been determined. For the strongest deexcitation lines from the major target isotopes, C12, Mg24, Si28, Fe56, there are now measured cross-section data from reaction threshold to Eα=90 MeV that can be directly used for astrophysical applications like solar flares. Comparison of the results with a cross-section compilation for strong γ-ray lines in solar flare emissions and the predictions of the talys nuclear reaction code were done. They underline the importance of cross-section determinations at accelerator laboratories for the establishment of an accurate cross-section data base in a wide projectile energy range.

Inelastic Li6 scattering at 100 MeV/u on C12 and Nb93 has been measured with the high-resolution magnetic spectrometer Grand Raiden. The magnetic-rigidity settings of the spectrometer covered excitation energies from 10 to 40 MeV and scattering angles in the range 0°

Shape coexistence in the $Z \approx 82$ region has been established in mercury, lead and polonium isotopes. Even-even mercury isotopes with $100 \leq N \leq 106$ present multiple fingerprints of this phenomenon, which seems to be no longer present for $N \geq 110$. According to a number of theoretical calculations, shape coexistence is predicted in the $^{188}$Hg isotope. The $^{188}$Hg nucleus was populated using two different fusion-evaporation reactions with two targets, $^{158}$Gd and $^{160}$Gd, and a beam of $^{34}$S, provided by the Tandem-ALPI accelerators complex at the Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro. The channels of interest were selected using the information from the Neutron Wall array, while the $\gamma$ rays were detected using the GALILEO $\gamma$-ray array. The lifetimes of the excited states were determined using the Recoil Distance Doppler-Shift method, employing the dedicated GALILEO plunger device. Using the two-bands mixing and rotational models, the deformation of the pure configurations was obtained from the experimental results. The extracted transition strengths were compared with those calculated with the state-of-the-art symmetry-conserving configuration-mixing (SCCM) and five-dimentional collective Hamiltonian (5DCH) approaches in order to shed light on the nature of the observed structures in the $^{188}$Hg nucleus. An oblate, a normal- and a super-deformed prolate bands were predicted and their underlying shell structure was also discussed., Comment: v1: 13 pages, 10 figures, comparison between IBM-CM and SCCM calculations; v2: 16 pages, 13 figures, discussion on the mixing amplitudes from the experimental B(E2) values, comparison between SCCM and 5DCH calculations

International audience; Five new 2+ levels have been established in the semimagic Po210 nucleus from a Pb208(C12,Be10) two-proton transfer experiment, performed at energies close to the Coulomb barrier at JAEA Tokai. A setup combining Ge, LaBr3, and Si telescopes was used to detect both in-beam γ rays and ejectile residues. The new 2+ states have been established by means of the transitions toward the 0+ ground state which are present in the γ spectra produced by properly selecting the excitation energy in Po210 after kinematical reconstruction. (f7/2)2, h9/2⊗f5/2, (i13/2)2, f7/2⊗p3/2, and f7/2⊗f5/2 two-proton configurations are assigned to these states. In addition, a new 3− level has also been established in this nucleus, very likely originating from the f7/2⊗i13/2 configuration. Shell-model calculations strongly support these assignments.

International audience; Inelastic Li6 scattering at 100 MeV/u on C12 and Nb93 has been measured with the high-resolution magnetic spectrometer Grand Raiden. The magnetic-rigidity settings of the spectrometer covered excitation energies from 10 to 40 MeV and scattering angles in the range 0∘

Gamma-ray production cross section excitation functions have been measured for $30$, $42$, $54$ and $66$ MeV proton beams accelerated onto targets of astrophysical interest, $^{nat}$C, C + O (Mylar), $^{nat}$Mg, $^{nat}$Si and $^{56}$Fe, at the Sector Separated Cyclotron (SSC) of iThemba LABS (near Cape Town, South Africa). The AFRODITE array equipped with 8 Compton suppressed HPGe clover detectors was used to record $\gamma$-ray data. For known, intense $\gamma$-ray lines the previously reported experimental data measured up to $E_{p}\simeq$ $25$ MeV at the Washington and Orsay tandem accelerators were extended to higher proton energies. Our experimental data for the last 3 targets are reported here and discussed with respect to previous data and the Murphy \textit{et al.} compilation [ApJS 183, 142 (2009)], as well as to predictions of the nuclear reaction code TALYS. The overall agreement between theory and experiment obtained in first-approach calculations using default input parameters of TALYS has been appreciably improved by using modified optical model potential (OMP), deformation, and level density parameters. The OMP parameters have been extracted from theoretical fits to available experimental elastic/inelastic nucleon scattering angular distribution data by means of the coupled-channels reaction code OPTMAN. Experimental data for several new $\gamma$-ray lines are also reported and discussed. The astrophysical implications of our results are emphasised., Comment: 22 pages, 10 figures, five tables; regular article submitted to Phys Rev C

WOS: 000407994600003, The structure of the S-33 nucleus was investigated in the Mg-24(N-14, alpha p) fusion-evaporation reaction using a 40-MeV N-14 beam. The level scheme was extended up to an excitation energy of 11.7 MeV and spin 19/2+. Lifetimes of the intermediate-and high-spin states have been investigated by the Doppler shift attenuation method. Data were compared with different shell-model calculations where effective interactions involving two main shells, the sd and the fp, are used., Bulgarian Science Fund [DN08/6]; program for support of young scientists, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences [DFNP 48], Authors are thankful to the XTU Tandem staff of Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro for the good quality delivered beam. This research was supported by Bulgarian Science Fund under Contract No. DN08/6 and by the program for support of young scientists, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences under Contract No. DFNP 48.