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Recently, the total absorption gamma spectroscopy technique was used to determine the Gamow–Teller (GT) distribution of β-decay of 186Hg. It was concluded that the best description of the measured data was obtained with dominantly prolate components for both parent 186Hg and daughter 186Au. Motivated by the recent findings, we investigate the effect of nuclear deformation on the energy distribution of the GT strength of the decay of 186Hg into 186Au within the framework of proton–neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation (pn-QRPA) based on the deformed Nilsson potential. To do the needful, we first calculate the energy levels and shape prediction of 186Hg within the interacting boson model. The computed GT strength distribution satisfied the model-independent Ikeda sum rule 100% (99.98%) for the prolate (oblate) case. Based on the strength distributions, the deformed pn-QRPA model with separable interaction prefers a prolate shape for the ground state of 186Hg and supports the shape coexistence for this nucleus.

Calculating weak decay rates under stellar conditions for studying presupernova evolution of massive stars is a challenging task. Here, we show the importance of odd-A nuclei for presupernova simulations. In order to calculate the required nuclear matrix elements, we apply the pn-QRPA model in a deformed basis. Nuclear deformation, thought to play an integral role in calculation of associated weak decay rates, is taken into account in our model. We calculate Gamow–Teller (GT) strength distributions, $$\beta ^-$$ emission and positron capture rates for selected odd-A nuclei. Our model does not employ the Brink–Axel hypothesis as used in previous calculations of weak decay rates, and we perform a state-by-state microscopic calculation of GT strength distributions from all parent excited states. Our calculated $$\beta ^-$$ decay rates are in good agreement with large-scale shell model calculations.

It is known that the calculated values of log(ft) and the half-life of beta decay are less than the measured values when a single-particle approach is used to calculate these quantities. In this article, we discuss the importance of taking into account the spectroscopic factor in the calculation of the half-life and log(ft) beta decay of nuclei containing one nucleon in the outermost shell. We also emphasize the dominant role of the asymptotic normalization coefficient, which takes into account the many-particle effect and allows us to obtain the spectroscopic factor necessary to describe the reaction 13N → 13C + β+ + νe . We find the asymptotic normalization coefficients using the experimental data of the elastic scattering phase-shift of the proton and neutron on 12C. Using overlap functions instead of single-particle functions, we obtain a better comparison with the experimental data. The overlap function is represented as the product of the single-particle function and the root of the corresponding spectroscopic factor.

In this work, we explore the role of deformation parameter (β) on the calculated Gamow-Teller (GT) strength distributions and electron capture cross-sections (ECC) for 46,48,50Cr isotopes within the formalism of the proton neutron-quasi-particle random phase approximation (pn-QRPA). Three different β parameters were used in the present study. Two of them were calculated by using the interacting boson model (IBM) and the macroscopic-microscopic (Mac-mic) models. The third one is the experimental β values obtained by employing its relation with the experimental B(E2)↑ values. The GT strength distributions were widely dispersed among all the daughter states of the given isotopes. They were found to have an inverse relation with the β parameter i.e decreasing with increasing the β value. The ECC was computed as a function of the β parameter and the results suggest that the calculated ECC decreased with decreasing value of the β for the selected cases.

In this paper, fabrication and characterization of Cu/PTB7-Th (35 mass%)/PC $$_{61}$$ BM (35 mass%)/graphene (30 mass%)/Ag thin-film composite cells are given. First of all, Ag and Cu electrodes were deposited on flat glass substrate by vacuum evaporation with 130- $$\upmu $$ m inter-electrode gap. The PTB7-Th (35 mass%) composite and PC $$_{61}$$ BM (35 mass%) composite in chlorobenzene and graphene (30 mass%) were deposited on the inter-electrode gap by drop-casting technique, and film thickness of 8–12 $$\upmu $$ m was achieved. The dependence of forward and reverse bias resistance of the cells versus temperature in the range of 25–75 $${^{\circ }}$$ C, humidity in the range of 47–90 %RH and pressure in the range of 0–7.7 kN m $$^{-2}$$ was measured. The average temperature resistance coefficients were equal to (− 1.03)% $${^{\circ }}\hbox {C}^{-1}$$ and $$(-\,1.14)\%\ {^{\circ }}\hbox {C}^{-1}$$ for forward and reverse bias resistances, respectively. The reverse and forward bias resistances decreased 1.29 and 1.27 times due to $$\%\mathrm{RH}$$ , and due to pressure, it decreased by 9.0–9.2%. Impedance (Z) of the sample was also measured at different frequencies (100 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz and 100 kHz) which decreased from 1.23 to 1.04 times. The obtained results are explained, firstly, by transfer of charges between donors and acceptors molecules and effect of water molecules on the PTB7-Th (35 mass%):PC $$_{61}$$ BM (35 mass%):graphene composite.

In this paper the fabrication of built–in rubber graphene and CNT based elastic composite samples under uniaxial compressive displacements is presented along with the investigation of their resisti...

The total cross-section, astrophysical S-factor, and rate of radiative capture reaction 12C(p, γ)13N are calculated using the potential model. In this work, we take into account the capture of protons through s1/2 → p1/2 and d3/2 → p1/2 single-particle transitions, fine-tune the values of the depth and nuclear radius of the Woods-Saxon potential to achieve better comparison with the measured data. The results for the elastic scattering phase shift, astrophysical S-factor, and rates are compared with the previously reported results of the calculations and experimental data.

Neutron imaging is a nondestructive inspection technique that has a wide range of applications. One of the important aspects of neutron imaging is achieving a micrometer-scale spatial resolution. The development of a high-resolution neutron detector is a challenging task. As one potential solution to this task, we investigate whether neutron detectors based on fine-grained nuclear emulsions are suitable for high-resolution neutron imaging applications. High track density is necessary to improve the quality of neutron imaging. However, the available track analysis methods are difficult to apply under high track density conditions. Simulated images are used to determine the required track density for neutron imaging. A track density of the order of [Formula: see text] tracks per [Formula: see text] is sufficient to utilize neutron detectors for imaging applications. Contrast resolution was also investigated for image datasets with various track densities and neutron transmission rates. Moreover, experiments were performed for the neutron imaging of gadolinium-based gratings with known geometries. The grating structures were successfully resolved. The calculated [Formula: see text] 10%–90% edge response using the grayscale optical images of the grating slit with a periodic structure of 9 [Formula: see text]m was [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]m.

3He(d,γ)5Li is important in the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN), as it provides seeds for the 6Li formation. Within the framework of the potential model the 3He(d,γ)5Li is analyzed. In the present investigation the nuclear width , nuclear cross-sections, astrophysical S-factor, and nuclear reaction rates have been computed. The present study is in better agreement with the observed data.

Fluorescent nuclear track detectors (FNTDs) based on Al${_2}$O${_3}$:C,Mg crystals are luminescent detectors that can be used for dosimetry and detection of charged particles and neutrons. These detectors can be utilised for imaging applications where a reasonably high track density, approximately of the order of 1 $\times$ $10^4$ tracks in an area of 100 $\times$ 100 $\mu$m$^2$, is required. To investigate the reusability of FNTDs for imaging applications, we present an approach to perform optical bleaching under the required track density conditions. The reusability was assessed through seven irradiation-bleaching cycles. For the irradiation, the studied FNTD was exposed to alpha-particles from an $^{241}$Am radioactive source. The optical bleaching was performed by means of ultraviolet laser light with a wavelength of 355 nm. Three dedicated regions on a single FNTD with different accumulated track densities and bleaching conditions were investigated. After every irradiation-bleaching cycle, signal-to-noise ratio was calculated to evaluate FNTD performance. It is concluded that FNTDs can be reused at least seven times for applications where accumulation of a high track density is required.

Reliable and precise knowledge of the β-decay properties of neutron-rich nuclei is important for a better understanding of the r-process. We report the computation of β-decay properties of neutron-rich Cerium isotopes calculated within the proton-neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation (pn-QRPA) approach. A total of 34 isotopes of Ce in the mass range 120 ≤ A ≤ 157 were considered in our calculation. Pairing gaps are recognized amongst the key parameters in the pn-QRPA model to compute Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions. We employed two different values of the pairing gaps obtained from two different empirical formulae in our computation. The GT strength distributions changed considerably with a change in the pairing gap values. This in turn resulted in contrasting centroid and total strength values of the GT distributions and led to differences in calculated half-lives using the two schemes. The traditional pairing gaps resulted in significant fragmentation of GT strength. However, the pairing gaps, calculated employing the formula based on separation energies of neutron and proton, led to computed half-lives in better agreement with the measured data.

β-decay is amongst the key properties of nuclei required for the modeling of r-process nucleosynthesis. It also governs the flow of abundances among neighboring isotopic chains of high-mass elements. In the present work, a simple proton-neutron quasi particle random phase approximation (p–n-QRPA) model has been used for the calculation of β-decay half-lives of Rb, Sr, Y and Zr neutron-rich isotopes. For 97−103Rb, 98−107Sr, 101−109Y and 104−112Zr, where the experimental data were available, the half-life values are reproduced with reasonable accuracy. The same set of model parameters are later used to predict half-lives for few neutron-rich nuclei (104−112Rb, 108−113Sr, 110−114Y and 113−115Zr) where measured data is not available. The p–n-QRPA results (including only allowed transitions) are compared with previous calculations (allowed plus forbidden) and exhibit agreement within a factor of 2.0 when compared with the recent available experimental data.

In late progressive-stages of heavy stars, electron capture and $\beta^{\pm}$ -decay are the governing processes. The weak rates are essential inputs for the modeling of the stages of high-mass stars before supernova explosions. As per results obtained from previous simulations, weak rates of scandium isotopes contribute substantially in changing the lepton-to-baryon ratio ( $\text{Y}_{e}$ ) of the nuclear matter of core. In the present analysis, we have reported some important $\beta $ -decay properties of crucial Sc isotopes in an astrophysical environment having $49 \le \text{A}\le 54$ . The investigation includes GT-strength distributions, terrestrial half-lives and stellar rates of electron capture (EC) and $\beta^{-}$ -decay reactions. The calculations are performed in a microscopic way by using the proton–neutron (pn) quasi-particle random phase approximation (QRPA) model over a wide temperature $(10^{7}\text{--}3\times10^{10})~\text{K}$ and density $(10\text{--}10^{11})~\text{g/cm}^{3}$ domains. In addition, a comparison of our calculated results have been done with experimental and theoretical data, where available. Good agreement between our half-lives calculations and experimentally measured results is observed. Our calculated weak $\beta^{-}$ -decay and EC rates have been compared with earlier computed rates of Independent-Particle Model (IPM) and Large-Scale Shell Model (LSSM). At high stellar temperature and density conditions, our calculated rates of $\beta^{-}$ -decay are smaller than those from the other models. The decrement in our rates approaches up to 1–3 orders of magnitude. In contrast, our EC rates are larger at high temperature by up to 1–2 orders of magnitude.

As per simulation studies, the weak reaction rates on nickel isotopes play a substantial role in affecting the ratio of electron-to-baryon content of stellar interior during the late stages of core evolution. (Anti)neutrinos are produced in weak-decay processes, and escape from the stellar content having densities less than 1011 g cm − 3 . They take away energy and reduce the stellar core entropy. In this paper we report on the microscopic calculation of neutrino and antineutrino cooling rates due to weak rates on nickel isotopes in mass range 56 ≤ A ≤ 71. The calculations are accomplished by employing the deformed pn-QRPA model. Recent studies on GT strength properties of nickel isotopes show that the deformed pn-QRPA model well explained the experimental charge-changing transitions. Our calculated beta decay half-lives for selected nickel isotopes are in excellent comparison with experimental data. The (anti)neutrino cooling rates are determined over temperatures in the range of 0.01 × 109 – 30 × 109 K and densities in the range of 10 – 1011 g cm − 3 domain. The computed rates are compared with previous theoretical calculations. For neutron rich nuclide, at high temperatures, our computed cooling rates are enhanced as compared to previous calculations.

Recently a list of top 50 most important electron capture (ec) and β-decay (bd) nuclei, averaged throughout the stellar trajectory for 0.500 > Y e > 0.400, was published. The current study presents the calculation of ec and bd rates, from the published list with A = 65–80, on a detailed temperature-density grid. The ec and bd rates were calculated using the proton-neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation model (pn-QRPA). Our calculation did not employ the Brink-Axel hypothesis. A systematic comparison of the current calculation with the previous pn-QRPA and independent particle model (IPM) results is presented for the first time. The reported ec rates are almost the same when compared with the previous pn-QRPA calculation. On the other hand, the reported bd rates are generally smaller up to an order of magnitude. Comparison with IPM results show that our calculated rates are bigger, by two orders of magnitude. The current calculation may contribute to a more realistic simulation of late phases of stellar evolution and modeling of x-ray bursts.

The proton radiative capture reactions are crucial in nuclear astrophysics. 9Be(p,γ)10B is important in stellar and primordial nucleosynthesis. In the present work, we compute the astrophysical S-factor for 9Be(p,γ)10B by employing the potential model (PM) for the magnetic transitions. Moreover, we revised the nuclear structure features and spectroscopic properties of the 10B nucleus under the PM approach.

This project aims to investigate the most important weak interaction nuclei in the presupernova evolution of massive stars. To achieve this goal, an ensemble containing 728 nuclei in the mass range of A = 1–100 was considered. We computed the mass fractions of these nuclei using Saha’s equation for predetermined values of T, ρ, and Y e and assuming nuclear statistical equilibrium. The nuclear partition functions were obtained using a newly introduced recipe where excited states, up to 10 MeV, were treated as discrete. The weak interaction rates (electron capture (ec) and β-decay (bd)) were calculated in a totally microscopic fashion using the proton–neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation model and without assuming the Brink–Axel hypothesis. The calculated rates were coupled with the computed mass fractions to investigate the time rate of change of lepton to baryon fraction of the stellar matter. We compare our results with the previous calculations reported in the literature. Noticeable differences up to orders of magnitude are reported with previous calculations. These differences may influence the evolution of the star in the later stages of presupernova. We present a list of the top 50 ec and bd nuclei, which have the largest effect on Y e for conditions after silicon core burning. The competition between the ec and bd rates in the stellar core was investigated and it was found that Y e = 0.424–0.455 is the interval where the bd results are bigger than the ec rates.

Within the framework of the modified potential model, we computed the astrophysical S-factor of the proton radiative capture p + 11C → 12N + γ. At energies bearing astrophysical importance, radiative capture is a key process in the spectroscopic study of 12N. In this work, we consider the radiative capture cross-section for the proton capture by 11C within the framework of the potential model. For the possible electric and magnetic dipole transitions, we computed the partial components of the astrophysical S-factor within the energy range E = (0.01–0.8) MeV. The computed value of the S-factor at zero energy shows satisfactory agreement with the reported results. Furthermore, we computed the radiative capture rates for the selected reaction, which shows a better comparison with the reported data.

We explore the effectiveness of the Brink–Axel hypothesis (BAH) for the computation of stellar electron capture (EC) and β-decay (BD) rates, namely that the transition strength function depends only upon the transition energy and not upon the details of the initial state. For this purpose, we calculated Gamow–Teller (GT) strength distributions for a selection of sd-shell nuclides, using two different microscopic models, namely the proton–neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation and the full configuration-interaction shell model, taking into account the first 100 states of both the initial and final nuclides. The GT transition strengths among these levels evolve with initial state energy. These transition strength functions we folded into weak-interaction mediated rates in stellar matter, specifically EC and BD rates, for a range of densities 10 g cm−3 ⩽ ρ ⩽ 1011 g cm−3 and range of temperatures 1 GK ⩽ T ⩽ 30 GK. When transitions from excited states were approximated using the BAH, augmented by so-called ‘back-resonance’ transitions, the rates were affected by up to three orders of magnitude or more at high temperatures and densities. Thus the BAH is not a reliable approximation for the calculation of stellar rates, especially in high temperature–density environments.

Lepton (electron and positron) capture rates on iron-regime nuclei are an essential element for modeling the late stages of progression of massive stars that become core collapse and thermonuclear supernova. As per previous simulation studies, lepton capture (LC) rates on isotopes of vanadium are believed to have a substantial effect in regulating the Ye (lepton to baryon fraction) during the final evolutionary phases. The present work involves the calculation of lepton capture rates for 22 isotopes of vanadium by making use of the proton-neutron (pn-) quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA) model. The covered mass range is from A = 43 to 64. The LC rates have been computed over stellar densities ranging from $10^{1}$ to $10^{11}$ (g/cm3) and for the temperature range $10^{7} - 3 \times 10^{10}$ (K). A comparison of our calculated LC rates to the rates computed using other models (IPM and LSSM) has also been presented. As compared to the rates calculated by other models, pn-QRPA rates at high temperature ( $3 \times 10^{10}$ K) are larger by up to 1-2 orders of magnitude.

Radiative capture $p + {}^{13}\mathrm{C}\rightarrow {}^{14}\mathrm{N}+\gamma $ at energies bearing astrophysical consequences is one of the important processes in the CNO cycle. We focus on the possibility of describing the main contribution to the total cross section of the radiative capture process in the framework of the single-particle potential model without separation into direct and resonant transitions. In case where the single-particle potential model fails to describe other partial components, we use the R-matrix approach. The partial components of the astrophysical S-factor are calculated for all possible electric dipole transitions. The calculated value of the total S-factor at zero energy is in good agreement with earlier reported values. Based on the value of total astrophysical S-factor depending on the collision energy, we calculate the nuclear reaction rates for ${p} + {^{13}\mathrm{C}} \rightarrow {^{14}\mathrm{{N}}}+\gamma $ .

Electron capture and $\beta ^{-}$ decay are the dominant decay processes during late phases of evolution of heavy stars. Previous simulation results show that weak rates on isotopes of Molybdenum (Mo) have a meaningful contribution during the development of phases of stars before they go supernova. The relative abundance coupled with the stellar weak rates on Mo isotopes may change the lepton-to-baryon content of the core material. Here we report on the calculation of nuclear structure properties of 82−138Mo isotopes employing the RMF model. Later we calculate the weak decay rates of these isotopes. We use the pn-QRPA model to compute these rates. In the first step, the ground-state nuclear properties of Mo isotopes such as binding energy per nucleon, neutron and proton separation energies, charge radii, total electric quadrupole moments and deformation parameter of electric quadrupole moments have been calculated using density dependent version of RMF model with DD-PC1 and DD-ME2 functionals. The calculated electric quadrupole deformation parameters have been used in a deformed pn-QRPA calculation in the second phase of this work to calculate half-lives and weak decay rates for these Mo isotopes in stellar matter. We calculate the electron capture and $\beta $-decay rates over an extensive range of temperature ($0.01\times 10^{9}$ K to $30\times 10^{9}$ K) and density (10 to $10^{11}$) g/cm3. Our study can prove useful for simulation of presupernova evolution processes of stars.

The neutrino cooling and gamma heating rates are considered as an important input needed to study the final phases of the evolution of high-mass stars. The weak-interaction mediated processes, namely the $\beta $-decay and electron capture, significantly change the lepton to baryon ratio and accelerate the contraction of the core. The emission of resulting neutrinos/antineutrinos tend to cool the stellar core. On the other hand gamma rays are produced because of electron capture and $\beta $-decay to excited states in daughter nuclei. These gamma rays heat the core and contribute to increase of entropy which may cause convection to occur. In the present work, the weak-interaction heating and cooling rates on a chain of twenty two isotopes of vanadium having mass in the range 43–64 have been estimated using the proton-neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation theory. The rates have been computed for the temperature ranging from ($10^{7}\mbox{--}3\times 10^{10}$) K and for the density range $(10\mbox{--}10^{11})~\mbox{g/cm}^{3}$. Our calculated neutrino energy loss rates have also been compared with the previously reported rates calculated using other theoretical models. At high stellar temperatures, our rates are larger by 1–2 orders of magnitude as compared to previous results.

Radiative capture p + 9Be → 10B + γ at energies bearing astrophysical importance is a key process for the spectroscopic study of 10B. In this work, we consider the radiative capture cross-section for the 9Be(p, γ)10B within the framework of the potential model and the R-matrix method for the multi-entrance channel cases. In certain cases, when the potential fails, therefore, the R-matrix approach is better to use for the description of partial components of the cross-section that have sharp or broad resonances. For all possible electric and magnetic dipole transitions, partial components of the astrophysical S-factor are computed. The computed value of the total S-factor at zero energy is consistent with the reported results.

Weak rates in nickel isotopes play an integral role in the dynamics of supernovae. Electron capture and β-decay of nickel isotopes, dictated by Gamow–Teller transitions, significantly alter the lepton fraction of the stellar matter. In this paper we calculate Gamow–Teller (GT) transitions for isotopes of nickel, Ni 56 – 64 , using QRPA methods. The GT strength distributions were calculated using four different QRPA models. Our results are also compared with previous theoretical calculations and measured strength distributions wherever available. Our investigation concluded that amongst all RPA models, the pn-QRPA(C) model best described the measured GT distributions (including total GT strength and centroid placement). It is hoped that the current investigation of GT properties would prove handy and may lead to a better understanding of the presupernova evolution of massive stars.

Our study consists of investigations of nuclear ground state properties and weak transition rates of even-even waiting point nuclei. The calculation was performed for N = 50 and N = 82 nuclei. The Relativistic Mean Field (RMF) model was used to explore the nuclear ground state properties of selected nuclei. The proton-neutron quasi particle random phase (pn-QRPA) model was used for the computation of allowed Gamow Teller (GT) and unique first-forbidden (U1F) transitions of the selected waiting point nuclei. The RMF approach with different density-dependent interactions, DD-ME2 and DD-PC1, was used to compute potential energy curves and surfaces, quadrupole moments, deformation parameters, binding energies, proton-neutron separation energies, charge, and radii. The RMF computed deformation parameters were used in the pn-QRPA model, as a free parameter, for the computation of GT and U1F weak transitions. We investigated three different sets of deformation parameter for the calculation of electron emission rates. The rates changed considerably with change in deformation parameter. We later investigated contribution of allowed GT and U1F rates and competition between positron capture and electron emission rates at high stellar temperatures. The computed positron capture rates were significant especially at low densities and high temperatures. The contribution of U1F rates to allowed GT appreciably reduced the total calculated half-lives. The comparison of our results with previous calculations and measurement is also shown. The pn-QRPA calculation including U1F contribution is in good agreement with the experimental data.

In astrophysical conditions prevalent during the late times of stellar evolution, lepton ( e − and e + ) emission processes compete with the corresponding lepton capture processes. Prior to the collapse, lepton emissions significantly affect the cooling of the core and reduce its entropy. Therefore the lepton emission rates for Fe-group nuclei serve as an important input for core-collapse simulations of high-mass stars. From earlier simulation studies, isotopes of vanadium (V) have great astrophysical significance in regard to their weak-decay rates which substantially affect Y e (fraction of lepton to baryon number) during the final developmental stages of massive stars. The current study involves the computation of the weak lepton emission (LE) rates for V-isotopes by employing the improved deformed proton-neutron Quasi-particle Random Phase Approximation (pn-QRPA) model. The mass numbers of the selected isotopes range from 43 to 64. The LE rates on these isotopes have been estimated for a broad spectrum of density and temperature under astrophysical conditions. The ranges considered for density and temperature are 10 1 to 10 11 (g/cm 3 ) and 10 7 to 3 × 10 11 (K), respectively. The lepton emission rates from the present study were also compared to the rates previously estimated by using the independent-particle model (IPM) and large-scale shell model (LSSM). IPM rates are generally bigger than QRPA rates, while LSSM rates are overall in good comparison with the reported rates. We attribute these differences to correct placement of GT centroid in LSSM and QRPA models.

WOS: 000411536200001 At finite temperatures (>= 10(7)K), Se-76 is abundant in the core of massive stars and electron capture on Se-76 has a consequential role to play in the dynamics of core-collapse. The present work may be classified into two main categories. In the first phase we study the nuclear structure properties of Se-76 using the interacting boson model-1 (IBM-1). The IBM-1 investigations include the energy levels, B (E2) values and the prediction of the geometry. We performed the extended consistent-Q formalism (ECQF) calculation and later the triaxial formalism calculation (constructed by adding the cubic term to the ECQF). The geometry of Se-76 can be envisioned within the formalism of the potential energy surface based on the classical limit of IBM-1 model. In the second phase, we reconfirm the unblocking of the Gamow Teller (GT) strength in Se-76 (a test case for nuclei having N > 40 and Z < 40). Using the deformed pn-QRPA model we calculate GT transitions, stellar electron capture cross section (within the limit of low momentum transfer) and stellar weak rates for Se-76. The distinguishing feature of our calculation is a state-by-state evaluation of stellar weak rates in a fully microscopic fashion. Results are compared with experimental data and previous calculations. The calculated GT distribution fulfills the Ikeda sum rule. Rates for, beta-delayed neutrons and emission probabilities are also calculated. Our study suggests that at high stellar temperatures and low densities, the beta(+)-decay on Se-76 should not be neglected and needs to be taken into consideration along with electron capture rates for simulation of presupernova evolution of massive stars. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Higher Education Commission (Pakistan) through HEC [20-3099, 5557/KPK/NRPU/RD/HEC/2016] J.-U. Nabi wishes to acknowledge the support provided by the Higher Education Commission (Pakistan) through HEC Projects No. 20-3099 and 5557/KPK/NRPU/R&D/HEC/2016.

WOS: 000390830600001 The allowed Gamow Teller (GT) transitions are the most common weak nuclear processes of spin-isospin (sigma tau) type. These transitions play a key role in numerous processes in the domain of nuclear physics. Equally important is their contribution in astrophysics, particularly in nuclear synthesis and supernova explosions. In situations where allowed GT transitions are not favored, first-forbidden transitions become significant, specifically in medium heavy and heavy nuclei. For neutron-rich nuclei, first-forbidden transitions are favored mainly due to the phase-space amplification for these transitions. In this work we calculate the allowed GT as well as unique first-forbidden (U1F) vertical bar Delta J vertical bar = 2 transitions strength in odd odd and even-even nuclei in mass range 70 0(+) transitions were also calculated. We compared our calculations with the previously reported correlated RPA calculation and experimental results. Our calculations are in better agreement with measured data. For stellar applications we further calculated the allowed GT and U1F weak rates. These include beta(+/-)-decay rates and electron/positron capture rates of heavy nuclei in stellar matter. Our study shows that positron and electron capture rates command the total weak rates of these heavy nuclei at high stellar temperatures. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Higher Education Commission (Pakistan) through the HEC Project [20-3099] J.-U. Nabi wishes to acknowledge the support provided by the Higher Education Commission (Pakistan) through the HEC Project No. 20-3099.

In this paper, we present the &beta, decay half-lives calculation for selected even-even nuclei that decay through electron emission. The kinematical portion of the half-life calculation was performed using a recently introduced technique for computation of phase space factors (PSFs). The dynamical portion of our calculation was performed within the proton-neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation (pn-QRPA) model. Six nuclei ( 20 O, 24 Ne, 34 Si, 54 Ti, 62 Fe and 98 Zr) were selected for the present calculation. We compare the calculated PSFs for these cases against the traditionally used recipe. In our new approach, the Dirac equation was numerically solved by employing a Coulomb potential. This potential was adopted from a more realistic proton distribution of the daughter nucleus. Thus, the finite size of the nucleus and the diffuse nuclear surface corrections are taken into account. Moreover, a screened Coulomb potential was constructed to account for the effect of atomic screening. The power series technique was used for the numerical solution. The calculated values of half-lives, employing the recently developed method for computation of PSFs, were in good agreement with the experimental data.

The allowed Gamow-Teller (GT) strengths and associated weak interaction rates on fp-shell nuclides are the most familiar processes of spin-isospin (στ) type. These rates play a crucial role in several astrophysical processes, particularly in nuclear synthesis and supernova-explosions. As per simulation consequences, the electron capture cross-section on medium-heavy nuclei has a key impact on decreasing the ratio of electron-to-baryon of the stellar matter during the late stages of stars formation. Stellar model based on the theoretical approaches should be tested against the available measured data. In the current work we present calculated Gamow-Teller strength distributions by pn-QRPA model for selected fp-shell nuclei (42Ti, 46Cr, 50Fe and 54Ni) and compare our results with available measured data. The Gamow-Teller strength distributions are well fragmented over the energy range 0-12 MeV and have a good comparison with experimental data. We calculate the electron capture cross-section for selected nuclei at temperature 0.5 MeV, 1.0 MeV and 1.5 MeV that shows the temperature dependence of calculated electron capture cross-section for astrophysical applications.

The astrophysical S-factor for proton capture on 9Be at astrophysical is considered in this work by using a modified potential model approach. The total cross-section is taken as the sum of both direct and resonance transitions. Based on the computed total astrophysical S-factor we calculate the nuclear reaction rates within the selected range of temperatures. The calculated values of S-factor and nuclear reaction rates are in good agreement with the measured data. Our modified potential model based astrophysical S-factor at zero energy shows a satisfactory agreement with the previously published results.

We investigate even-even nuclei in the $A\sim70$ mass region within the framework of the proton-neutron quasi-particle random phase approximation (\mbox{pn-QRPA}) and the interacting boson model-1 (\mbox{IBM-1}). Our work includes calculation of the energy spectra and the potential energy surfaces $V(\beta,\gamma)$ of Zn, Ge, Se, Kr and Sr nuclei with the same proton and neutron number, $N = Z$. The parametrization of the \mbox{IBM-1} Hamiltonian was performed for the calculation of the energy levels in the ground state bands. Geometric shape of the nuclei was predicted by plotting the potential energy surfaces $V(\beta,\gamma)$ obtained from the \mbox{IBM-1} Hamiltonian in the classical limit. The \mbox{pn-QRPA} model was later used to compute half-lives of the neutron-deficient nuclei which were found to be in very good agreement with the measured ones. The \mbox{pn-QRPA} model was also used to calculate the Gamow-Teller strength distributions and was found to be in decent agreement with the measured data. We further calculate the electron capture and positron decay rates for these $N$ = $Z$ waiting point (WP) nuclei in the stellar environment employing the \mbox{pn-QRPA} model. For the $rp$-process conditions, our total weak rates are within a factor two compared with the Skyrme HF+BCS+QRPA calculation. All calculated electron capture rates are comparable to the competing positron decay rates under $rp$-process conditions. Our study confirms the finding that electron capture rates form an integral part of the weak rates under $rp$-process conditions and should not be neglected in the nuclear network calculations., Comment: 25 pages, 13 figures, 5 tables

Radiative capture p + 13N → 14O + γ at energies bearing astrophysical importance is one of the key processes in the hot CNO cycle. The transition from normal CNO to hot CNO takes place when the proton capture rates on 13N are higher than the β decay rates of 13N. The hot CNO cycle initiates at stellar temperature T ≥ 0.11 ×109 K. Within the frame work of potential model, we calculate the nuclear reaction rates and astrophysical S-factor for the reaction 13N(p, γ)14O. It is to be noted that the nuclear cross-section is calculated for the first resonance of p–13N system within the proton energy range (0–1) MeV, where the E1 transition plays a dominant role. Our calculated radiative capture rates are in nice comparison with the existing data. Based on the radiative capture rates we further estimate the temperature at which the normal CNO turns into a hot CNO cycle

Rates for (anti-)neutrino energy loss on nickel isotopes, due to interactions involving weak decays (β±-decay and lepton captures) are regarded as having fundamental importance during late evolutionary stages of massive stars. These rates substantially affect the leptonic ratio (Ye) of stellar interior. For the densities less than 1011 g/cm3, weak processes produce (anti-)neutrinos which cause reduction in the stellar core’s entropy. In this paper, rates for neutrino and anti-neutrino energy loss on nickel neutron-rich isotopes (66-71Ni) have been presented. Rates for energy loss have been determined by applying the deformed pn-QRPA model. The ranges for temperature and density, have been used to determine the rates, are from 0.01 to 30 (109 K) and 101 to 1011 (g/cm3), respectively. Our computed rates for energy loss, at higher temperature regions, are enhanced in comparison with previously reported rates of Pruet and Fuller (PF).