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The atomic masses of the isotopes $^{206,207}$Ra have been measured via decay-correlated mass spectroscopy using a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph equipped with an $\alpha$-TOF detector. The Ra isotopes were produced as fusion-evaporation products in the $^{51}$V+$^{159}$Tb reaction system and delivered by the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II at RIKEN. The $\alpha$-TOF detector provides for high-accuracy mass measurements by correlating time-of-flight signals with subsequent $\alpha$-decay events. The masses of $^{206}$Ra and $^{207g,m}$Ra were directly measured using a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph equipped with an $\alpha$-TOF detector. A mass excess of ME = 3538(15) keV/c$^2$ and an excitation energy of E$_{\rm ex}$ = 552(42) keV were determined. The $\alpha$-decay branching ratio of $^{207m}$Ra, b$\alpha$ = 0.26(20), was directly determined from decay-correlated time-of-flight signals, and the reduced alpha width of $^{207m}$Ra was calculated to be $\delta^2$ = 50+62-41 keV from the branching ratio. The spin-parity of $^{207m}$Ra was confirmed to be $J^\pi$ = 13/2$^-$ from decay correlated mass measurement results.

We perform coincidence measurements between $\alpha$ particles and $\gamma$ rays from a $^{233}$U source to determine the half-lives of the excited state in a $^{229}$Th nucleus. We first prove that the half-lives of 42.43- and 164.53-keV states are consistent with literature values, whereas that of the 97.14-keV state (93(7) ps) deviates from a previously measured value (147(12) ps). The half-lives of 71.83- and 163.25-keV states are determined for the first time. Based on the obtained half-lives and the Alaga rule, we estimate the radiative half-life of the low-energy isomeric state ($^{229m}$Th) to be $5.0(11)\times10^{3}$ s, which is one of the key parameters for the frequency standard based on $^{229}$Th., Comment: 33 pages, 9 figures. 3 tables

Natural silver targets have been irradiated by using a 50 MeV alpha-particle beam in order to measure the activation cross sections of radioisotopes in the 40-50 MeV energy range. Among the radio-products there are medically important isotopes such as $^{110m}$In and $^{111}$In. For optimizing the production of these radioisotopes and regarding their purity and specific activity the cross section data for every produced radioisotope are important. New data are measured in this energy range and the results of some previous measurements have been confirmed. Physical yield curves have been calculated by using the new cross section data completed with the results from the literature.

We present the first direct measurement of the atomic mass of a superheavy nuclide. Atoms of $^{257}$Db ($Z$=105) were produced online at the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science using the fusion-evaporation reaction $^{208}$Pb($^{51}$V, 2n)$^{257}$Db. The gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II was used to suppress both the unreacted primary beam and some transfer products, prior to delivering the energetic beam of $^{257}$Db ions to a helium gas-filled ion stopping cell wherein they were thermalized. Thermalized $^{257}$Db$^{3+}$ ions were then transferred to a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph for mass analysis. An alpha particle detector embedded in the ion time-of-flight detector allowed disambiguation of the rare $^{257}$Db$^{3+}$ time-of-flight detection events from background by means of correlation with characteristic $\alpha$-decays. The extreme sensitivity of this technique allowed a precision atomic mass determination from 11 events. The mass excess was determined to be $100\,063(231)_\textrm{stat}(132)_\textrm{sys}$~keV/c$^2$. Comparing to several mass models, we show the technique can be used to unambiguously determine the atomic number as $Z$=105 and should allow similar evaluations for heavier species in future work., Comment: Submitted to PRC as Rapid Comm., 5 pages, 4 figures

The low-lying isomeric state of $^{229}$Th provides unique opportunities for high-resolution laser spectroscopy of the atomic nucleus. We determine the energy of this isomeric state by taking the absolute energy difference between the excitation energy required to populate the 29.2-keV state from the ground-state and the energy emitted in its decay to the isomeric excited state. A transition-edge sensor microcalorimeter was used to measure the absolute energy of the 29.2-keV $\gamma$-ray. Together with the cross-band transition energy (29.2 keV$\to$ground) and the branching ratio of the 29.2-keV state measured in a recent study, the isomer energy was determined to be 8.30$\pm$0.92 eV. Our result is in agreement with latest measurements based on different experimental techniques, which further confirms that the isomeric state of $^{229}$Th is in the laser-accessible vacuum ultraviolet range., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables

We have developed a novel detector, referred to as an "$\alpha$-ToF detector", for correlated measurements of atomic masses and decay properties of low-yield, short-lived radioactive isotopes using a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph. By correlating measured time-of-flight signals with decay events, it will be possible to suppress background events and obtain accurate, high-precision mass values even in cases of very low event rates. An offline test of the $\alpha$-ToF detector has shown that the time-of-flight detection efficiency for 5.48~MeV $\alpha$-rays is more than 90\% and yields a time resolution of 251.5(68)~ps and an energy resolution of 141.1(9)~keV. Using a two-dimensional spectrum of the correlated $\alpha$-ray energy and time-of-flight, the $\alpha$-rays from mixed $\alpha$ sources could be fairly well resolved., Comment: 6pages, 10 figures

The masses of the exotic isotopes $^{210-214}$Ac and $^{210-214}$Ra have been measured with a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph. These isotopes were obtained in flight as fusion-evaporation products behind the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II at RIKEN. The new direct mass measurements serve as an independent and direct benchmark for existing $\alpha$-$\gamma$ spectroscopy data in this mass region. Further, new mass anchor points are set for U and Np nuclei close to the $N=126$ shell closure for a future benchmark of the $Z=92$ sub-shell for neutron-deficient heavy isotopes. Our mass results are in general in good agreement with the previously indirectly-determined mass values. Together with the measurement data, reasons for possible mass ambiguities from decay-data links between ground states are discussed.

The masses of $^{246}$Es, $^{251}$Fm and the transfermium nuclei $^{249-252}$Md, and $^{254}$No, produced by hot- and cold-fusion reactions, in the vicinity of the deformed $N=152$ neutron shell closure, have been directly measured using a multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph. The masses of $^{246}$Es and $^{249,250,252}$Md were measured for the first time. Using the masses of $^{249,250}$Md as anchor points for $\alpha$ decay chains, the masses of heavier nuclei, up to $^{261}$Bh and $^{266}$Mt, were determined. These new masses were compared with theoretical global mass models and demonstrated to be in good agreement with macroscopic-microscopic models in this region. The empirical shell gap parameter $\delta_{2n}$ derived from three isotopic masses was updated with the new masses and corroborate the existence of the deformed $N=152$ neutron shell closure for Md and Lr.

High-precision mass measurements of $^{63}$Cu, $^{64-66}$Zn, $^{65}$Ga, $^{65-67}$Ge, $^{67}$As, $^{78,81}$Br, $^{80}$Rb, and $^{79}$Sr were performed utilizing a multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph combined with the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II. In the case of $^{65}$Ga, a mass uncertainty of 2.1 keV, corresponding to a relative precision of $\delta m / m = 3.5\times10^{-8}$, was obtained and the mass value is in excellent agreement with the 2016 Atomic Mass Evaluation. For $^{67}$Ge and $^{81}$Br, where masses were previously deduced through indirect measurements, discrepancies with literature values were found. The feasibility of using this device for mass measurements of nuclides more neutron-deficient side, which have significant impact on the $rp$-process pathway, is discussed., Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, 1 table

Cross sections of alpha particle induced nuclear reactions have been measured on thin natural cadmium targets foils in the energy range from 11 to 51.2 MeV. This work was a part of our systematic study on excitation functions of light ion induced nuclear reactions on different target materials. Regarding the cross sections, the alpha induced reactions are not deeply enough investigated. Some of the produced isotopes are of medical interest, others have application in research and industry. The radioisotope $^{117m}$Sn is a very important theranostic (therapeutic + diagnostic) radioisotope, so special care was taken to the results for that isotope. The well-established stacked foil technique followed by gamma-spectrometry with HPGe gamma spectrometers were used. The target and monitor foils in the stack were commercial high purity metal foils. From the irradiated targets $^{117m}$Sn, $^{113}$Sn, $^{110}$Sn, $^{117m,g}$In, $^{116m}$In, $^{115m}$In, $^{114m}$In, $^{113m}$In, $^{111}$In, $^{110m,g}$In, $^{109m}$In, $^{108m}$In, $^{115g}$Cd and $^{111m}$Cd were identified and their excitation functions were derived. The results were compared with the data of the previous measurements from the literature and with the results of the theoretical nuclear reaction model code calculations TALYS 1.8 (TENDL-2015) and EMPIRE 3.2 (Malta). From the cross section curves thick target yields were calculated and compared with the available literature data.

$^{117m}$Sn is one of the radioisotopes can be beneficially produced through alpha particle irradiation. The targets were prepared by deposition of $^{116}$Cd metal onto high purity 12 $\mu$m thick Cu backing. The average deposited thickness was 21.9 $\mu$m. The beam energy was thoroughly measured by Time of Flight (TOF) methods and proved to be 51.2 MeV. For the experiment the well-established stacked foil technique was used. In addition to the Cd targets, Ti foils were also inserted into the stacks for energy and intensity monitoring. The Cu backings were also used for monitoring and as recoil catcher of the reaction products from the cadmium layer. The activities of the irradiated foils were measured with HPGe detector for gamma-ray spectrometry and cross section values were determined. As a result excitation functions for the formation of $^{117m}$Sn, $^{117m,g}$In, $^{116m}$In, $^{115m}$In and $^{115m,g}$Cd from enriched $^{116}$Cd were deduced and compared with the available literature data and with the results of the nuclear reaction model code calculations EMPIRE 3.2 and TALYS 1.8. Yield curves were also deduced for the measured nuclear reactions and compared with the literature.

Using a mulit-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph (MRTOF-MS) located after a gas cell coupled with the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II, the masses of several heavy nuclei have been directly and precisely measured. The nuclei were produced via fusion-evaporation reactions and separated from projectile-like and target-like particles using GARIS-II before being stopped in a helium-filled gas cell. Time-of-flight spectra for three isobar chains, 205Fr-205Rn-205At-205Po, 206Fr-206Rn-206At and 201Rn-201At-201Po-201Bi, were observed. Precision atomic mass values were determined for 205,206Fr, 201At, and 201Po., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures

Decay properties of an isotope $^{266}$Bh and its daughter nucleus $^{262}$Db produced by the $^{248}$Cm($^{23}$Na, 5\textit{n}) reaction were studied by using a gas-filled recoil separator coupled with a position-sensitive semiconductor detector. $^{266}$Bh was clearly identified from the correlation of the known nuclide, $^{262}$Db. The obtained decay properties of $^{266}$Bh and $^{262}$Db are consistent with those observed in the $^{278}$113 chain, which provided further confirmation of the discovery of $^{278}$113., Comment: Accepted for publication in J. Phys. Soc. JPN., to be published in Vol.78 No. 6