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Background: Globular clusters are known to exhibit anomalous abundance trends such as the sodium-oxygen anticorrelation. This trend is thought to arise via pollution of the cluster interstellar medium from a previous generation of stars. Intermediate-mass asymptotic giant branch stars undergoing hot bottom burning (HBB) are a prime candidate for producing sodium-rich oxygen-poor material, and then expelling this material via strong stellar winds. The amount of $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ produced in this environment has been shown to be sensitive to uncertainties in the $^{22}\mathrm{Ne}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ reaction rate. The $^{22}\mathrm{Ne}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ reaction is also activated in classical nova nucleosynthesis, strongly influencing predicted isotopic abundance ratios in the Na-Al region. Therefore, improved nuclear physics uncertainties for this reaction rate are of critical importance for the identification and classification of pre-solar grains produced by classical novae.Purpose: At temperatures relevant for both HBB in AGB stars and classical nova nucleosynthesis, the $^{22}\mathrm{Ne}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ reaction rate is dominated by narrow resonances, with additional contribution from direct capture. This study presents new strength values for seven resonances, as well as a study of direct capture.Method: The experiment was performed in inverse kinematics by impinging an intense isotopically pure beam of $^{22}\mathrm{Ne}$ onto a windowless ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ gas target. The $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ recoils and prompt $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays were detected in coincidence using a recoil mass separator coupled to a $4\ensuremath{\pi}$ bismuth-germanate scintillator array surrounding the target.Results: For the low-energy resonances, located at center of mass energies of 149, 181, and 248 keV, we recover stength values of $\ensuremath{\omega}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{149}=0.{17}_{\ensuremath{-}0.04}^{+0.05}, \ensuremath{\omega}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{181}=2.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.4$, and $\ensuremath{\omega}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{248}=8.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.7 \ensuremath{\mu}\text{eV}$, respectively. These results are in broad agreement with recent studies performed by the LUNA and TUNL groups. However, for the important reference resonance at 458 keV we obtain a strength value of $\ensuremath{\omega}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{458}=0.44\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02$ eV, which is significantly lower than recently reported values. This is the first time that this resonance has been studied completely independently from other resonance strengths. For the 632-keV resonance we recover a strength value of $\ensuremath{\omega}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{632}=0.48\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02$ eV, which is an order of magnitude higher than a recent study. For reference resonances at 610- and 1222-keV, our strength values are in agreement with the literature. In the case of direct capture, we recover an $S$ factor of 60 keV b, consistent with prior forward kinematics experiments.Conclusions: In summary, we have performed the first direct measurement of $^{22}\mathrm{Ne}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ in inverse kinematics. Our results are in broad agreement with the literature, with the notable exception of the 458-keV resonance, for which we obtain a lower strength value. We assessed the impact of the present reaction rate in reference to a variety of astrophysical environments, including AGB stars and classical novae. Production of $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ in AGB stars is minimally influenced by the factor of 4 increase in the present rate compared to the STARLIB-2013 compilation. The present rate does however impact upon the production of nuclei in the Ne-Al region for classical novae, with dramatically improved uncertainties in the predicted isotopic abundances present in the novae ejecta.

During the slow neutron capture process in massive stars, reactions on light elements can both produce and absorb neutrons thereby influencing the final heavy element abundances. At low metallicities, the high neutron capture rate of 16-O can inhibit s-process nucleosynthesis unless the neutrons are recycled via the 17O(a,n)20Ne reaction. The efficiency of this neutron recycling is determined by competition between the 17O(a,n)20Ne and 17O(a,g)21Ne reactions. While some experimental data are available on the former reaction, no data exist for the radiative capture channel at the relevant astrophysical energies. The 17O(a,g)21Ne reaction has been studied directly using the DRAGON recoil separator at the TRIUMF Laboratory. The reaction cross section has been determined at energies between 0.6 and 1.6 MeV Ecm, reaching into the Gamow window for core helium burning for the first time. Resonance strengths for resonances at 0.63, 0.721, 0.81 and 1.122 MeV Ecm have been extracted. The experimentally based reaction rate calculated represents a lower limit, but suggests that significant s-process nucleosynthesis occurs in low metallicity massive stars., 7 pages, 5 figures

The Electromagnetic Mass Analyser (EMMA) is a new vacuum-mode recoil mass spectrometer currently undergoing the final stages of commissioning at the ISAC-II facility of TRIUMF. EMMA employs a symmetric configuration of electrostatic and magnetic deflectors to separate the products of nuclear reactions from the beam, focus them in both energy and angle, and disperse them in a focal plane according to their mass/charge (m/q) ratios. The spectrometer was designed to accommodate the gamma-ray detector array TIGRESS around the target position in order to provide spectroscopic information from electromagnetic transitions. EMMA is intended to be used in the measurement of fusion evaporation, radiative capture, and transfer reactions for the study of nuclear structure and astrophysics. Its complement of focal plane detectors facilitates the identification of recoiling nuclei and subsequent recoil decay spectroscopy. Here we describe the facility and report on commissioning efforts., Comment: 5 figures

Background: Nucleosynthesis of mid-mass elements is thought to occur under hot and explosive astrophysical conditions. Radiative α capture on S34 has been shown to impact nucleosynthesis in several such conditions, including core and shell oxygen burning, explosive oxygen burning, and type Ia supernovae. Purpose: Broad uncertainties exist in the literature for the strengths of three resonances within the astrophysically relevant energy range (ECM=1.94-3.42MeV at T=2.2GK). Further, there are several states in Ar38 within this energy range which have not been previously measured. This work aimed to remeasure the resonance strengths of states for which broad uncertainty existed as well as to measure the resonance strengths and energies of previously unmeasured states. Methods: Resonance strengths and energies of eight narrow resonances (five of which had not been previously studied) were measured in inverse kinematics with the DRAGON facility at TRIUMF by impinging an isotopically pure beam of S34 ions on a windowless He4 gas target. Prompt γ emissions of de-exciting Ar38 recoils were detected in an array of bismuth germanate scintillators in coincidence with recoil nuclei, which were separated from unreacted beam ions by an electromagnetic mass separator and detected by a time-of-flight system and a multianode ionization chamber. Results: The present measurements agree with previous results. Broad uncertainty in the resonance strength of the ECM=2709keV resonance persists. Resonance strengths and energies were determined for five low-energy resonances which had not been studied previously, and their strengths were determined to be significantly weaker than those of previously measured resonances. Conclusions: The five previously unmeasured resonances were found not to contribute significantly to the total thermonuclear reaction rate. A median total thermonuclear reaction rate calculated using data from the present work along with existing literature values using the STARLIB rate calculator agrees with the NON-SMOKER statistical model calculation as well as the REACLIB and STARLIB library rates at explosive and nonexplosive oxygen-burning temperatures (T=3-4GK and T=1.5-2.7GK, respectively).

The angular distributions of the elastic, inelastic scattering and break-up cross sections of the one neutron halo $^{11}$Be on a heavy-mass target ($^{197}$Au) have been measured at laboratory energies below (31.9 MeV) and around (39.6 MeV) the Coulomb barrier ($V_b \sim$ 40 MeV). The elastic, inelastic channel and break-up channels of the $^{11}$Be + $^{197}$Au reaction have been experimentally separated for the first time in this energy range. The experiment was performed at TRIUMF, using four Silicon detectors in telescope configuration to separate the $^{11}$Be from the $^{10}$Be fragments and the High-Purity Germanium Detector Array TIGRESS for $\gamma$-ray detection. The break-up and inelastic scattering contributions are observed to be relevant even at energies well below the Coulomb barrier. Data are compared with different models of increasing degree of sophistication: semiclassical, inert-core continuum discretised coupled channel (CDCC) calculations and CDCC including core deformation and excitations (XCDCC). XCDCC calculations are necessary to reproduce simultaneously elastic, inelastic and break-up scattering data. The results show that the reaction mechanism is sensible to the entanglement of core and halo degrees of freedom in $^{197}$Au.

Angular distributions of the elastic, inelastic, and breakup cross sections of the halo nucleus ^{11}Be on ^{197}Au were measured at energies below (E_{lab}=31.9 MeV) and around (39.6 MeV) the Coulomb barrier. These three channels were unambiguously separated for the first time for reactions of ^{11}Be on a high-Z target at low energies. The experiment was performed at TRIUMF (Vancouver, Canada). The differential cross sections were compared with three different calculations: semiclassical, inert-core continuum-coupled-channels and continuum-coupled-channels ones with including core deformation. These results show conclusively that the elastic and inelastic differential cross sections can only be accounted for if core-excited admixtures are taken into account. The cross sections for these channels strongly depend on the B(E1) distribution in ^{11}Be, and the reaction mechanism is sensitive to the entanglement of core and halo degrees of freedom in ^{11}Be.

Background: The rate of the F18(p,γ)Ne19 reaction affects the final abundance of the radioisotope F18 ejected from novae. This nucleus is important as its abundance is thought to significantly influence the first-stage 511-keV and continuum γ-ray emission in the aftermath of novae. No successful measurement of this reaction existed prior to this work, and the rate used in stellar models had been calculated based on incomplete information from contributing resonances. Purpose: Of the two resonances thought to provide a significant contribution to the astrophysical reaction rate, located at Ec.m.=330 and 665 keV, the former has a radiative width estimated from the assumed analog state in the mirror nucleus, F19, while the latter resonance does not have an analog state assignment, resulting in an arbitrary radiative width being assumed. As such, a direct measurement was needed to establish what role this resonance plays in the destruction of F18 at nova temperatures. This paper extends and takes the place of a previous Letter which reported the strength of the Ec.m.=665 keV resonance. Method: The DRAGON recoil separator was used to directly measure the strength of the important 665-keV resonance in this reaction, in inverse kinematics, by observing Ne19 reaction products. A radioactive F18 beam was provided by the ISAC facility at TRIUMF. R-matrix calculations were subsequently used to evaluate the significance of the results at astrophysical energies. Results: We report the direct measurement of the F18(p,γ)Ne19 reaction with the reevaluation of several detector efficiencies and the use of an updated Ne19 level scheme in the reaction rate analysis. The strength of the 665-keV resonance (Ex=7.076 MeV) is found to be an order of magnitude weaker than currently assumed in nova models. An improved analysis of the previously reported data is presented here, resulting in a slightly different value for the resonance strength. These small changes, however, do not alter the primary conclusions. Conclusions: Reaction rate calculations definitively show that the 665-keV resonance plays no significant role in the destruction of F18 at nova temperatures.

A number of experiments are underway to search for a rare form of radioactivity, neutrinoless double beta decay, as a measurement of the half-life would enable the neutrino mass to be determined. The COBRA collaboration [1] , [2] (Zuber, 2001; Dawson, 2009) employs CdZnTe detectors in such a search. This paper describes techniques using pulse shape analysis for identifying two-centre events in a coplanar grid CdZnTe detector. This enables Compton scatter events to be identified and so suppressing the background present within the COBRA detectors.

6 pags., 4 figs., 2 tabs. -- PACS:27.20.+n25.55.Hp23.20.-g29.85.-c, The reactions 10B (3He, p α α α) at 4.9 MeV and 11B (3He, d α α α) at 8.5 MeV have been used to investigate the γ decay of states in 12C. By measuring the four-body final state in complete kinematics we are able to detect γ transitions indirectly. We find γ transitions from the 15.11 MeV state in 12C to the 12.71, 11.83, 10.3 and 7.65 MeV states followed by their breakup into three α particles. The relative γ-ray branching ratios obtained are (1.2 ± 0.3), (0.32 ± 0.12), (1.4 ± 0.2) and (4.4 ± 0.8) %, respectively, with the remaining (92.7 ± 1.0) % of the γ decays going to the bound states. We obtain Γα / Γ = (2.8 ± 1.2) % for the isospin-forbidden α decay of the 15.11 MeV state. From the 12.71 MeV state we find γ transitions to the 10.3 and 7.65 MeV states. The relative γ-ray branching ratios are (0.9- 0.5 + 0.6) and (2.6- 1.2 + 1.6) %, respectively, with the remaining (96.6- 1.3 + 1.7) % of the γ decays going to the bound states. Finally, we discuss the relation between the β decay of 12N and 12B to states in 12C and the γ decay of the 15.11 MeV analog in 12C to the same states. © 2009 Elsevier B.V., We would like to acknowledge the support of the Spanish CICYT research grant FPA2007-62170 and the MICINN Consolider Project CSD 2007-00042 as well as the support of the European Union VI Framework through RII3-EURONS/JRA4-DLEP (contract number 506065). D.G. is a Juan de la Cierva fellow.

The nuclear structure of states in 12 C have been a subject of interest for both theory and experiment since the early days of nuclear physics. Many open questions remain, especially concerning the existence and properties of 0+ and 2+ states in the triple alpha continuum. A series of experiments have been performed using β-decay of 12 N and 12 B to probe these states. The latest experiment was performed at KVI using an implantation method, measuring the sum energy of the three α-particles directly. Preliminary results from this experiment will be presented.

Nuclear Physics in Astrophysics VI (NPA6) , 19–24 May 2013, Lisbon, Portugal A study of the 20Ne(d,p)21Ne transfer reaction was performed using the Quadrupole Dipole Dipole Dipole (Q3D) magnetic spectrograph in Garching, Germany. The experiment probed excitation energies in 21Ne ranging from 6.9 MeV to 8.5 MeV. The aim was to investigate the spectroscopic information of 21Ne within the Gamow window of core helium burning in massive stars. Further information in this region will help reduce the uncertainties on the extrapolation down to Gamow window cross sections of the 17 O(alfa,gamma)21Ne reaction. In low metallicity stars, this reaction has a direct impact on s-process abundances by determining the fate of 16O as either a neutron poison or a neutron absorber. The experiment used a 22-MeV deuteron beam, with intensities varying from 0.5-1 miA, and an implanted target of 20Ne of 7 microg/cm2 in 40 microg/cm2 carbon foils. Sixteen 21Ne peaks have been identified in the Ex = 6.9-8.5 MeV range, of which only thirteen peaks correspond to known states. Only the previously-known Ex = 7.960 MeV state was observed within the Gamow window.

The B(E1;1/2{sup +}{yields} 1/2{sup -}) strength for {sup 11}Be has been extracted from intermediate energy Coulomb excitation measurements, over a range of beam energies using a new reaction model, the extended continuum discretized coupled channels (XCDCC) method. In addition, a measurement of the excitation cross section for {sup 11}Be+{sup 208}Pb at 38.6 MeV/nucleon is reported. The B(E1) strength of 0.105(12) e{sup 2}fm{sup 2} derived from this measurement is consistent with those made previously at 60 and 64 MeV/nucleon, in contrast to an anomalously low result obtained at 43 MeV/nucleon. By coupling a multi-configuration description of the projectile structure with realistic reaction theory, the XCDCC model provides for the first time a fully quantum mechanical description of Coulomb excitation. The XCDCC calculations reveal that the excitation process involves significant contributions from nuclear, continuum, and higher-order effects. An analysis of the present and two earlier intermediate energy measurements yields a combined B(E1) strength of 0.105(7) e{sup 2}fm{sup 2}. This value is in good agreement with the value deduced independently from the lifetime of the 1/2{sup -} state in {sup 11}Be, and has a comparable precision.

A new detector for nuclear astrophysics studies is being designed and built by TRIUMF and the University of York. The TRIUMF Annular Chamber for Tracking and Identification of Charged particles (TACTIC) is designed to detect low-energy charged particles from inverse kinematics reaction studies performed at the relevant astrophysical energies. TACTIC is a cylindrical ionisation/time-projection chamber with segmented anode strips, which allow the dE/dx of the particle to be determined along with the total energy. Information from drift times allows the particle trajectory to be reconstructed. This in turn identifies the interaction point along the beam axis and hence the centre of mass energy of the reaction. To amplify the expected weak signals, a gas electron multiplier (GEM) will be used in place of the usual Frisch grid. Full digital readout of the charge and timing of each anode strip will be achieved with flash ADC cards allowing pulse shape analysis of the signals.

Uncertainties in the thermonuclear rates of the $^{15}\text{O}(\ensuremath{\alpha},\ensuremath{\gamma}){}^{19}\text{Ne}$ and ${}^{18}\text{F}(p,\ensuremath{\alpha}){}^{15}\text{O}$ reactions affect model predictions of light curves from type I x-ray bursts and the amount of the observable radioisotope $^{18}\text{F}$ produced in classical novae, respectively. To address these uncertainties, we have studied the nuclear structure of $^{19}\text{Ne}$ over ${E}_{x}=4.0\ensuremath{-}5.1$ and 6.1--7.3 MeV using the $^{19}\text{F}(^{3}\text{He},t)^{19}\text{Ne}$ reaction. We find the ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ values of the 4.14- and 4.20-MeV levels to be consistent with $9/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and $7/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, respectively, in contrast to previous assumptions. We confirm the recently observed triplet of states around 6.4 MeV and find evidence that the state at 6.29 MeV, just below the proton threshold, is either broad or a doublet. Our data also suggest that predicted but yet unobserved levels may exist near the 6.86-MeV state. Higher resolution experiments are urgently needed to further clarify the structure of $^{19}\text{Ne}$ around the proton threshold before a reliable ${}^{18}\text{F}(p,\ensuremath{\alpha}){}^{15}\text{O}$ rate for nova models can be determined.

We present a detailed analysis of the elastic scattering and breakup channel for the reaction of Li-11 on Pb-208 at incident laboratory energies of 24.3 and 29.8 MeV, measured at the radioactive ion beam facility of TRIUMF, in Vancouver, Canada. A large yield of Li-9 fragments was detected by four charged particle telescopes in a wide angular range. The experimental angular and energy distributions of these Li-9 fragments have been compared to coupled-reaction-channel and continuum-discretized coupled-channel calculations. The large production of Li-9 fragments at small angles can be explained by considering a direct breakup mechanism, while at medium-large angles a competition between direct breakup and neutron transfer to the continuum of the Pb-208 target was observed.

26Al is an important radioisotope in astrophysics that provides evidence of ongoing nucleosynthesis in the Galaxy. The 23Na(α, p)26Mg reaction has been identified by a sensitivity study as being one of the most important reactions for the production of 26Al in the convective C/Ne burning shell of massive stars. Owing to large uncertainties in previous experimental data, model calculations are used for the reaction rate of 23Na(α, p)26Mg in this sensitivity study. Current experimental data suggest a reaction rate a factor of ∼40 higher than model calculations. However, a new measurement of this reaction cross section has been made in inverse kinematics in the energy range E(c.m.)=1.28-3.15 MeV at TRIUMF, and found to be in reasonable agreement with the model calculation. A new reaction rate is calculated and tight constraints on the uncertainty in the production of 26Al, due to this reaction, are determined.

ITO International Research Center, on the campus of the University of Tokyo, June 1 to 6, 2014; http://ribf.riken.jp/ARIS2014/index.html

International audience; The changing of the nuclear shells for light, neutron-rich nuclei, and the single-particle nature of 26Na, has been explored by studying 25Na(d, p)26Na in inverse kinematics, using a beam of 25Na ions at 5 MeV per nucleon, provided by the ISAC-II facility at TRIUMF, Vancouver. Charged particles were detected with a highly-segmented silicon array that surrounded the 0.5 mg/cm2 (CD2)n target. Gamma rays from the recoiling 26Na nucleus were detected using eight Compton-suppressed HPGe clover detectors. Recoil tagging was provided by an in-beam scintillation foil, downstream of the germanium array. A novel technique of utilising pγ- and pγγ-gating to extract proton angular distributions from states populated close in energy was employed with success. New states in 26Na that are populated directly have been identified, using γ-decay patterns. Shell model calculations for comparison to experimental results are ongoing, using different model bases.

26Al is an important radioisotope in astrophysics that provides evidence of ongoing nucleosynthesis in the Galaxy. The 23Na(α, p)26Mg reaction has been identified by a sensitivity study as being one of the most important reactions for the production of 26Al in the convective C/Ne burning shell of massive stars. Owing to large uncertainties in previous experimental data, model calculations are used for the reaction rate of 23Na(α, p)26Mg in this sensitivity study. Current experimental data suggest a reaction rate a factor of ∼40 higher than model calculations. However, a new measurement of this reaction cross section has been made in inverse kinematics in the energy range E(c.m.)=1.28-3.15 MeV at TRIUMF, and found to be in reasonable agreement with the model calculation. A new reaction rate is calculated and tight constraints on the uncertainty in the production of 26Al, due to this reaction, are determined.

The $^{12}$C($^{18}$O, $^{14}$C + $^{8}$Be)$^{8}$Be reaction was studied at a beam energy of 140 MeV. Two multi-element charged-particle telescopes were used to detect the decay of $^{22}$Ne states into $^{14}$C + $^{8}$Be. The reconstructed excitation energy spectrum indicates that two states at 24.14(20) and 26.89(20) MeV decay by $^{8}Be emission. These states may be linked to a $^{14}$C + 2$\alpha$ cluster structure in $^{22}$Ne.

TACTIC (TACTIC web site: http://tactic.triumf.ca) is a new detector for low-energy nuclear reactions currently under development at TRIUMF. The cylindrical ionization chamber allows three-dimensional reconstruction of particle tracks by means of a two-dimensional anode array combined with a TOF measurement of the drift electrons. In addition, the integrated charge for each pulse provides information about the energy loss of the particle and therefore allows a better identification of the nuclear species producing the track. The geometry of TACTIC covers a large angular range permitting the measurement of differential cross-sections over a large solid angle. It will be ideal for investigations of nuclear processes pertinent to the field of nuclear astrophysics.

16 pages, 1 table, 10 figures.-- PACS nrs.: 23.40.-s; 26.20.+f; 27.20.+n.-- Printed version published Oct 3, 2005., The β-delayed triple-α particle decay of B-12 has been measured with a setup that favours coincidence detection. A broad state in C-12, previously reported around 10 MeV, has been seen and its properties determined through R-matrix analysis of the excitation spectrum. The spin and parity are 0(+). Interference between this state and the Hoyle state at 7.654 MeV has a marked influence on the spectrum. The coupling between the two states makes it difficult to determine the resonance energy., This work has been supported by the Spanish CICYT Agency under Project number FPA2002-04181-C04-02, by the EU-RI3 (Integrated Infrastructure Initiative) under Contract number 506065, and by the European Union Fifth Framework Programme "Improving Human Potential, Access to Research Infrastructure".

Understanding the processes which create and destroy 22Na is important for diagnosing classical nova outbursts. Conventional 22Na(p,γ) studies are complicated by the need to employ radioactive targets. In contrast, we have formed the particle-unbound states of interest through the heavy-ion fusion reaction, 12C(12C,n)23Mg and used the Gamma-sphere array to investigate their radiative decay branches. Detailed spectroscopy was possible and the 22Na(p,γ) reaction rate has been re-evaluated. Hydrodynamical calculations incorporating the revised rate indicate a reduction in the yield of 22Na by a factor of four from previous estimates implying a reduction by a factor of two for the maximum detectability distance for 22Na γ rays from novae.

The recent WMAP results tightly constrain the baryon density in the universe, which in turn constrains the light element abundance predicted in Standard Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (SBBN). There is a discrepance in the $^7$Li abundance which cannot be explained by uncertainties in the main reactions included in the SBBN. Up to now, the influence of the reaction $^7Be(d,p)2\alpha$ has been neglected. We have investigated this reaction at SBBN energies using a radioactive $^7$Be beam and a $(CD_2)_n$ self-supporting target at the CYCLONE RIB facility at Louvain-la-Neuve. The experimental method is briefly described. Preliminary results and consequences for primordial nucleosynthesis are discussed.

Preliminary studies in preparation for an absolute cross-section measurement of the radiative capture reaction 3 He( α , γ ) 7 Be with the DRAGON recoil separator have demonstrated beam suppression > 10 14 at the 90% confidence level. A measurement of this cross section by observation of 7 Be recoils at the focal plane of the separator should be virtually background free.

IWM-EC 2014 – International Workshop on Multi facets of EoS and Clustering.-- et al., Structure information of 11Li halo nucleus has been obtained from the inclusive break-up measurements of the 11Li+208Pb reactions at energies around the Coulomb barrier (Elab = 24.3 and 29.8 MeV). The effective break-up energy and the slope of B(E1) distribution close to the threshold have been extracted from the experimental data.

In 2013 NuPECC celebrated its 25th birthday. A quarter of a century of continuous and successful work of this expert board clearly deserves special attention and a moment of reflection. On this occasion, a ceremony was organiszd in Krakow on 11 October 2013 in the presence of a number of NuPECC chairs—Juha Aysto, Angela Bracco, Brian Fulton, Sydney Gales, Muhsin Harakeh, Gunther Rosner—the present NuPECC members (see http://www.nupecc.org/index.php?display=staff/list), and our permanent scientific secretary Gabriele-Elisabeth (Sissy) Korner (Figure 1). Sissy Korner, who has been connected with NuPECC from the very beginning, deserves special thanks for her dedication and efforts over the years that have been essential to carry out the mission and activities of NuPECC with success.

The two-neutron halo nucleus (14)Be has been investigated in a kinematically complete measurement of the fragments ((12)Be and neutrons) produced in dissociation at 35 MeV/nucleon on C and Pb targets. Two-neutron removal cross sections, neutron angular distributions, and invariant mass spectra were measured, and the contributions from electromagnetic dissociation (EMD) were deduced. Comparison with three-body model calculations suggests that the halo wave function contains a large nu(2s(1/2))(2) admixture. The EMD invariant mass spectrum exhibited enhanced strength near threshold consistent with a nonresonant soft-dipole excitation.

We have suspected for some time that the atomic nucleus need not remain a tightly bound, compact, spherical object, but might show a cluster substructure. Recent experimental advances, backed by new quantum mechanical models, are now revealing a wide variety of clustering ranging from dumbbell nuclei to long chains of alpha particles. We are also beginning to understand how valence nucleons can form molecular type orbits between these clusters to provide additional stability.

The breakup of 12Be into 6He+6He and 4He+8He has been studied using a 378 MeV 12Be beam inelastically excited by 12C and (CH2)n targets. The measurements indicate that breakup occurs from rotational states in the 10 to 25 MeV excitation energy interval, with spins in the range of 4ħ to 8ħ. The inferred moment of inertia is consistent with the cluster decay of an exotic molecular structure in 12Be, which may be associated with an α-4n-α cluster configuration.

The reaction mechanisms of the two-neutron transfer reaction ${}^{12}$C(${}^{6}$He,${}^{4}$He) have been studied at ${E}_{\mathrm{lab}}=30$ MeV at the TRIUMF ISAC-II facility using the Silicon Highly-segmented Array for Reactions and Coulex (SHARC) charged-particle detector array. Optical potential parameters have been extracted from the analysis of the elastic scattering angular distribution. The new potential has been applied to the study of the transfer angular distribution to the 2${}_{2}^{+}$ 8.32 MeV state in ${}^{14}$C, using a realistic three-body ${}^{6}$He model and advanced shell-model calculations for the carbon structure, allowing to calculate the relative contributions of the simultaneous and sequential two-neutron transfer. The reaction model provides a good description of the 30-MeV data set and shows that the simultaneous process is the dominant transfer mechanism. Sensitivity tests of optical potential parameters show that the final results can be considerably affected by the choice of optical potentials. A reanalysis of data measured previously at ${E}_{\mathrm{lab}}=18$ MeV, however, is not as well described by the same reaction model, suggesting that one needs to include higher-order effects in the reaction mechanism.

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence.-- Trabajo presentado al: "International Symposium Entrance Channel Effect on the Reaction Mechanism in Heavy Ion Collisions" (ECHIC), celebrado en Messina (Italia) del 6 al 8 de noviembre de 2013.-- et al., We present a study of 11Li+208Pb collisions at energies around the Coulomb barrier (Elab = 24.3 and 29.8 MeV), measured at the post-accelerated beam facility, ISAC II, at TRIUMF (Vancouver, Canada). A remarkably large yield of 9Li has been observed, a result that is attributed to the weak binding of the 11Li nucleus. The angular distribution of this 9Li yield, relative to the elastic one, has been analysed in terms of first-order semiclassical calculations as well as four-body and three-body Continuum-Discretized Coupled-Channels (CDCC) calculations, based on a three-body and di-neutron model of the 11Li nucleus, respectively. The calculations reproduce well the trend of the data and support the existence of a large concentration of B(E1) strength at very low excitation energies. The connection of this large B(E1) with a possible low-lying dipole resonance is discused.

The ${}^{33}$S($p,\ensuremath{\gamma}$)${}^{34}$Cl reaction is important for constraining predictions of certain isotopic abundances in oxygen-neon novae. Models currently predict as much as 150 times the solar abundance of ${}^{33}$S in oxygen-neon nova ejecta. This overproduction factor may vary by orders of magnitude due to uncertainties in the ${}^{33}$S($p,\ensuremath{\gamma}$)${}^{34}$Cl reaction rate at nova peak temperatures. Depending on this rate, ${}^{33}$S could potentially be used as a diagnostic tool for classifying certain types of presolar grains. Better knowledge of the ${}^{33}$S($p,\ensuremath{\gamma}$)${}^{34}$Cl rate would also aid in interpreting nova observations over the S-Ca mass region and contribute to the firm establishment of the maximum endpoint of nova nucleosynthesis. Additionally, the total S elemental abundance which is affected by this reaction has been proposed as a thermometer to study the peak temperatures of novae. Previously, the ${}^{33}$S($p,\ensuremath{\gamma}$)${}^{34}$Cl reaction rate had only been studied directly down to resonance energies of 432 keV. However, for nova peak temperatures of $0.2--0.4$ GK there are seven known states in ${}^{34}$Cl both below the 432-keV resonance and within the Gamow window that could play a dominant role. Direct measurements of the resonance strengths of these states were performed using the DRAGON (Detector of Recoils And Gammas of Nuclear reactions) recoil separator at TRIUMF. Additionally two new states within this energy region are reported. Several hydrodynamic simulations have been performed, using all available experimental information for the ${}^{33}$S($p,\ensuremath{\gamma}$)${}^{34}$Cl rate, to explore the impact of the remaining uncertainty in this rate on nucleosynthesis in nova explosions. These calculations give a range of $\ensuremath{\approx}$20--150 for the expected ${}^{33}$S overproduction factor, and a range of $\ensuremath{\approx}$100--450 for the ${}^{32}$S/${}^{33}$S ratio expected in ONe novae.

The rate of the 18F(p,γ)19Ne reaction affects the final abundance of the γ-ray observable radioisotope 18F, produced in novae. However, no successful measurement of this reaction exists and the rate used is calculated from incomplete information on the contributing resonances. Of the two resonances thought to play a significant role, one has a radiative width estimated from the assumed analogue state in the mirror nucleus, 19F. The second does not have an analogue state assignment at all, resulting in an arbitrary radiative width being assumed. Here, we report the first successful direct measurement of the 18F(p,γ)^19Ne reaction. The strength of the 665 keV resonance (Ex=7.076 MeV) is found to be over an order of magnitude weaker than currently assumed in nova models. Reaction rate calculations show that this resonance therefore plays no significant role in the destruction of ^{18}F at any astrophysical energy.

Background: Obtaining reaction rates for nuclear astrophysics applications is often limited by the availability of radioactive beams. Indirect techniques to establish reaction rates often rely heavily on the properties of excited states inferred from mirror symmetry arguments. Mirror energy differences can depend sensitively on nuclear structure effects.Purpose: The present work sets out to establish a detailed comparison of mirror symmetry in the $A=23$, $T=1/2$ mirror nuclei ${}^{23}$Na and ${}^{23}$Mg both to high spin, and high excitation energy, including beyond the proton threshold. These data can be used to benchmark state-of-the-art shell-model calculations of these nuclei.Methods: Excited states in ${}^{23}$Na and ${}^{23}$Mg were populated using the ${}^{12}$C(${}^{12}$C,$p$) and ${}^{12}$C(${}^{12}$C,$n$) reactions at beam energies of 16 and 22 MeV, and their resulting $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decay was measured with Gammasphere.Results: Level schemes for ${}^{23}$Na and ${}^{23}$Mg have been considerably extended; highly excited structures have been found in ${}^{23}$Na, as well as their counterparts in ${}^{23}$Mg for previously known rotational structures in ${}^{23}$Na. Mirror symmetry has been investigated up to an excitation energy of 8 MeV and spin-parity of 13/2${}^{+}$. Excited states in the region above the proton threshold have been studied in both nuclei.Conclusions: A detailed exploration of mirror symmetry has been performed which heavily constrains expectations as to how mirror energy differences should evolve for different structures. Agreement with shell-model calculations provides confidence in using such estimations where real data are absent.

Understanding the nucleosynthesis of stable proton-rich nuclei requires knowledge of the cross sections for both proton and alpha capture reactions. As some of the nucleosynthesis paths responsible for the production of these nuclei involve reactions on unstable isotopes, it is of particular importance to develop techniques to investigate these reactions. This requires radioactive beams and measurements in inverse kinematics, thus making recoil separators an ideal tool for direct measurements of proton and alpha capture reactions. Here, the application of the DRAGON recoil separator for measurements of capture reactions for heavy beams is presented. The performance of the separator was tested using the 58Ni(p,γ)59Cu reaction.

The inclusive breakup for the Li-11 + Pb-208 reaction at energies around the Coulomb barrier has been measured for the first time. A sizable yield of Li-9 following the Li-11 dissociation has been observed, even at energies well below the Coulomb barrier. Using the first-order semiclassical perturbation theory of Coulomb excitation it is shown that the breakup probability data measured at small angles can be used to extract effective breakup energy as well as the slope of B(E1) distribution close to the threshold. Four-body continuum-discretized coupled-channels calculations, including both nuclear and Coulomb couplings between the target and projectile to all orders, reproduce the measured inclusive breakup cross sections and support the presence of a dipole resonance in the Li-11 continuum at low excitation energy.

This work reports on the scattering of 11Be on 197Au at energies around and below the Coulomb barrier. By experimentally identifying the elastic scattering, inelastic scattering and breakup channels, and comparing them with different calculations, valuable information on the 11Be structure and its B(E1) distribution to the continuum are obtained. On top of that, a deeper understanding of the scattering process at low energies is achieved for reactions of this kind, making these studies extendable to other loosely-bound systems like 17,19C Gobierno de España FPA2015-64969-P, FIS2014-53448-C2-1-P, FPA2013-47327-c02-01-R, FPA2012-32443, FIS2013-41994-P, CSD2007-00042 EUROCORES EUI-2009-04162 European Union 654002

The rate of the 18F(p,γ)19Ne reaction affects the final abundance of the γ-ray observable radioisotope 18F, produced in novae. However, no successful measurement of this reaction exists and the rate used is calculated from incomplete information on the contributing resonances. Of the two resonances thought to play a significant role, one has a radiative width estimated from the assumed analogue state in the mirror nucleus, 19F. The second does not have an analogue state assignment at all, resulting in an arbitrary radiative width being assumed. Here, we report the first successful direct measurement of the 18F(p,γ)^19Ne reaction. The strength of the 665 keV resonance (Ex=7.076 MeV) is found to be over an order of magnitude weaker than currently assumed in nova models. Reaction rate calculations show that this resonance therefore plays no significant role in the destruction of ^{18}F at any astrophysical energy.

The $^{18}\mathrm{F}(p,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{15}\mathrm{O}$ reaction rate is crucial for constraining model predictions of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray observable radioisotope $^{18}\mathrm{F}$ produced in novae. The determination of this rate is challenging due to particular features of the level scheme of the compound nucleus, $^{19}\mathrm{Ne}$, which result in interference effects potentially playing a significant role. The dominant uncertainty in this rate arises from interference between ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=3/{2}^{+}$ states near the proton threshold (${S}_{p}=6.411\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{MeV}$) and a broad ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=3/{2}^{+}$ state at 665 keV above threshold. This unknown interference term results in up to a factor of 40 uncertainty in the astrophysical $S$-factor at nova temperatures. Here we report a new measurement of states in this energy region using the $^{19}\mathrm{F}(^{3}\mathrm{He},t)^{19}\mathrm{Ne}$ reaction. In stark contrast to previous assumptions we find at least 3 resonances between the proton threshold and ${E}_{cm}=50\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{keV}$, all with different angular distributions. None of these are consistent with ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=3/{2}^{+}$ angular distributions. We find that the main uncertainty now arises from the unknown proton width of the 48 keV resonance, not from possible interference effects. Hydrodynamic nova model calculations performed indicate that this unknown width affects $^{18}\mathrm{F}$ production by at least a factor of two in the model considered.

The reaction {sup 12}C({sup 16}O,7{alpha}) has been studied over the center-of-mass energy range from 37.7 MeV to 51.4 MeV, in a search for evidence for a 7-{alpha} chain state in {sup 28}Si. The yields of the {sup 12}C(0{sub 2}{sup +})-{sup 12}C(0{sub 2}{sup +})-{alpha} and {sup 12}C(0{sub 2}{sup +})-{sup 8}Be-{sup 8}Be final states agree broadly with previous measurements but contain no structure, indicating that a {sup 28}Si chain state is probably not being observed. The yields for the inelastic scattering reaction {sup 12}C+{sup 16}O decaying to other excited states in {sup 12}C and {sup 16}O have also been studied. They also contain no gross structure.

We have used the B-10(He-3, paaa) reaction at 4.9 MeV and the B-11(He-3, daaa) reaction at 8.5 MeV to determine the energy, width, and decay mechanism of resonances in C-12 above the triple-alpha threshold up to 21 MeV in excitation energy. Comparison with various models has allowed us to estimate the degree of clustering of the states studied.

The (18)F(p,α)(15)O reaction rate is crucial for constraining model predictions of the γ-ray observable radioisotope (18)F produced in novae. The determination of this rate is challenging due to particular features of the level scheme of the compound nucleus, (19)Ne, which result in interference effects potentially playing a significant role. The dominant uncertainty in this rate arises from interference between J(π)=3/2(+) states near the proton threshold (S(p)=6.411 MeV) and a broad J(π)=3/2(+) state at 665 keV above threshold. This unknown interference term results in up to a factor of 40 uncertainty in the astrophysical S-factor at nova temperatures. Here we report a new measurement of states in this energy region using the (19)F((3)He,t)(19)Ne reaction. In stark contrast to previous assumptions we find at least 3 resonances between the proton threshold and E(cm)=50 keV, all with different angular distributions. None of these are consistent with J(π)=3/2(+) angular distributions. We find that the main uncertainty now arises from the unknown proton width of the 48 keV resonance, not from possible interference effects. Hydrodynamic nova model calculations performed indicate that this unknown width affects (18)F production by at least a factor of two in the model considered.

The inclusive breakup for the (11)Li + (208)Pb reaction at energies around the Coulomb barrier has been measured for the first time. A sizable yield of (9)Li following the (11)Li dissociation has been observed, even at energies well below the Coulomb barrier. Using the first-order semiclassical perturbation theory of Coulomb excitation it is shown that the breakup probability data measured at small angles can be used to extract effective breakup energy as well as the slope of B(E1) distribution close to the threshold. Four-body continuum-discretized coupled-channels calculations, including both nuclear and Coulomb couplings between the target and projectile to all orders, reproduce the measured inclusive breakup cross sections and support the presence of a dipole resonance in the (11)Li continuum at low excitation energy.

Evidence has been found for a broad unbound state near 1 MeV excitation in ${}^{9}$B that is a candidate for the long-disputed ${\frac{1}{2}}^{+}$ mirror of the unbound 1.68 MeV state in ${}^{9}$Be. Reactions of ${}^{6}$Li${+}^{6}$Li were studied with a 60 MeV beam incident on a 240 $\ensuremath{\mu}$g/cm${}^{2}$ ${}^{6}$LiF target. The breakup fragments from the decay of the reaction products were detected in five Si-Si-CsI telescope detectors and the breakup particles were reconstructed using the technique of resonant particle spectroscopy. It is shown that contrary to a previous study, the ${\frac{1}{2}}^{+}$ is not populated in the reaction ${}^{6}$Li(${}^{6}$Li,$t$)${}^{9}$B, but that it is populated via the ${}^{6}$Li(${}^{6}$Li,$d$)${}^{10}$B reaction. The sequential decays of ${}^{10}$B populated the channels ${}^{6}$Li(g.s.)$+\ensuremath{\alpha}$, ${}^{6}$Li(2.186 MeV)$+\ensuremath{\alpha}$, ${}^{8}$Be$+d$, and $pn\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\alpha}$, with the latter including (${}^{9}$B$+n$ or ${}^{9}$Be$+p$) decay from ${}^{10}$B. Decays through ${}^{9}$B are identified and show the presence of the ${\frac{1}{2}}^{+}$ state as a broad asymmetric peak around 0.8--1.0 MeV with $\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{\approx}1.5$ MeV.

We report on a new cross-section measurement for the ${}^{3}$He($\ensuremath{\alpha}$, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$)${}^{7}$Be reaction at three medium energies of ${E}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}$ between 1 and 3 MeV. The interest stems from the significant role played by the reaction in calculating an accurate solar neutrino flux and the primordial ${}^{7}$Li abundance. The energy dependence of the astrophysical ${S}_{34}$ factor observed in the present work, especially above 1 MeV, highlights the need to constrain theories in order to obtain a precise extrapolated value for ${S}_{34}(0)$. In this context, a comparison with the recent theoretical work in a fully microscopic fermionic molecular dynamics approach and a few other representative calculations emphasize the need for further experimental as well as theoretical work to resolve the existing conflicts.