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For the first time, a 1.5-mm thick windowless liquid lithium jet was bombarded with a 1-2 mA beam of ~1.9 MeV protons, just above the neutron production threshold in lithium (1.880 MeV), to produce an unprecedented rate of ~3-5 × 10 SP 10 sp n/sec, which irradiated a secondary target of interest (Figure 2, left). Simulated neutron energy spectrum from natGa, the main component (more than 80% of atoms) of the GaIn target, when irradiated by 40 MeV deuterons, normalized to a total yield of 2.7 × 1014 n/sec/mA. High-intensity neutron beams and large amounts of radioactive nuclei are powerful tools for exploring uncharted areas of basic and applied science. Right: Measured neutron energy spectra for 7Li(p,n)7Be from narrow and broad energy proton beams, compared to a Maxwellian distribution of kT = 28 keV. [Extracted from the article]

Even after a century of research, major aspects of nuclear physics still remain unknown, especially away from the valley of stability, or that require precise measurement of ultra-rare phenomena. Exploring this terra-incognita may shed new light on the genesis of elements in the universe, and may provide an excellent probe to physics beyond the Standard Model of elementary particles. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Presents the results of a study on the performance of a pixelated CdZnTe gamma detector. Experimental set-up; Processing of signals from pixels; Theoretical simulation of the experimentation process.

The Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility (SARAF) is under construction in the Soreq Nuclear Research Center at Yavne, Israel. When completed at the beginning of the next decade, SARAF will be a user facility for basic and applied nuclear physics, based on a 40 MeV, 5 mA CW proton/deuteron superconducting linear accelerator. Phase I of SARAF (SARAF-I, 4 MeV, 2 mA CW protons, 5 MeV 1 mA CW deuterons) is already in operation, generating scientific results in several fields of interest. The main ongoing program at SARAF-I is the production of 30 keV neutrons and measurement of Maxwellian Averaged Cross Sections (MACS), important for the astrophysical s-process. The world leading Maxwellian epithermal neutron yield at SARAF-I (5×1010 epithermal neutrons/s), generated by a novel Liquid-Lithium Target (LiLiT), enables improved precision of known MACSs, and new measurements of low-abundance and radioactive isotopes. Research plans for SARAF-II span several disciplines: precision studies of beyond-Standard-Model effects by trapping light exotic radioisotopes, such as 6He, 8Li and 18, 19, 23Ne, in unprecedented amounts (including meaningful studies already at SARAF-I); extended nuclear astrophysics research with higher energy neutrons, including generation and studies of exotic neutron-rich isotopes relevant to the rapid (r-) process; nuclear structure of exotic isotopes; high energy neutron cross sections for basic nuclear physics and material science research, including neutron induced radiation damage; neutron based imaging and therapy; and novel radiopharmaceuticals development and production. In this paper we present a technical overview of SARAF-I and II, including a description of the accelerator and its irradiation targets; a survey of existing research programs at SARAF-I; and the research potential at the completed facility (SARAF-II). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complex, long-range experimental program for the production of neutron-rich nuclei via multi-nucleon transfer (MNT) reactions and spontaneous fission (SF) inside the Cryogenic Stopping Cell (CSC) of the FRS Ion Catcher facility at GSI has been suggested and is under development. A key component is a new experimental set-up, consisting of a modified DC cage, a target-wheel, a beam-dump and a space charge suppression system. This setup replaces the standard electrode structure of the CSC, enabling generation of radioactive isotope beams by in-cell MNT reactions inside the CSC and the efficient and fast extraction of ions produced by MNT reactions or spontaneous fission. Furthermore, the system allows to do experiments with beams from the FRS with much higher rates and shorter half-lives. We present the specifications, design and production of this device. We also present the technical solution adopted against the space charge effect and the simulations that validate it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edge effects in pixelated CdZnTe detectors occur due to the high dielectric constant of the CdZnTe detector material, and the tendency of the field lines emanating from the "hole" charge carriers to remain within the detector volume. As a result, spectra, for edge and corner pixels tend to exhibit a longer low energy tail at the expense of the number of events in the photo-peak. We focus on a thick pixelated CdZnTe detector, where, the detector thickness is comparable to the lateral size. We develop a theoretical Monte-Carlo simulation that well describes the experimentally observed edge effects. We show that when the same detector is embedded in an array of similar detector at the same HV, the edge effects disappear, and the spectral properties the edge and corner pixels improve markedly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excellent spectroscopy for higher energy gamma-rays is obtained with thick pixelated CdZnTe detectors, despite the large hole trapping inherent in the CdZnTe material. Our detector design was assisted by means of a theoretical Monte-Carlo code for optimizing the pixelated detector geometry for obtaining pad signals with minimum dependence on the depth of gamma interaction. We present spectra obtained for the 662-keV line of 137Cs taken with a 1 cm × 1 cm × 1 em CdZnTe detector with the anode segmented to a 4 × 4 array of pad electrodes. For each gamma interaction, signals for all 16 pad of the electrodes and for the common cathode electrode were digitized to enable further correction for the depth of gamma interaction and for the reconstruction of Compton scatter interactions. For single pixel events, the summed pad spectrum yields an energy resolution of 1.0% FWHM. For the reconstruction of Compton events with signals in two pad electrodes, we obtain a summed peak with an energy resolution of 1.4% FWHM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper presents the current state of the art imaging systems using room-temperature CdTe and CdZnTe X-ray and gamma-ray detectors. Imaging systems composed of both single elements and monolithic segmented CdTe and CdZnTe arrays are used in medical diagnostics, astronomy, research and industry. This paper is divided into two sections: The first section describes different types and configurations of CdTe or CdZnTe detectors used in imaging systems, with the emphasis on single charge carrier collection detectors and front-end read-out electronics in the form of application specific integrated circuits associated with these detectors. It also discusses the advantages, disadvantages and limitations with respect to the efficiency and area of the imaging systems using CdTe and CdZnTe detectors compared to other types of X and gamma ray detectors. The second section describes several examples of imaging systems utilizing CdZnTe detectors: 1) a large area imaging telescope for the detection of gamma ray bursts using a coded aperture collimator; 2i a large area medical nuclear camera for cardiology and scintimammography using a parallel hole collimator; 3) a large field of view gamma camera based on a rotating slat collimator; and 4) a prototype of an electronically collimated Compton camera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excellent spectroscopy for gamma rays can be obtained with pixelated CdZnTe detectors. Correction to the depth dependence of the pixel electrode signal can be made by simultaneously also measuring the common electrode signal. For high-energy gammas, thick detectors are required for increased detection efficiency. For increased efficiency, it is desirable to reconstruct Compton events, 2-pixel events that include the Compton scatter and re-interaction. The ambiguity in depth information for two pixel events in the same detector, with only one common signal, can be overcome taking advantage of sharp correlation with the relative difference of these two pixels. We present measurements made with a 1cm × 1cm × 1cm CdZnTe detector with the anode segmented to a 4 × 4 array of pad electrodes. For each gamma interaction, signals for all the 16 pad electrodes and for the common cathode electrode were digitized to enable further correction for the depth of gamma interaction, and for the reconstruction of Compton scatter interactions. We focus on the 1.115 MeV line of 65Zn source. For single pixel events, the summed corrected pad spectra yields an energy resolution of better than 1.0 % FWHM. Reconstruction of Compton events were made with signals from all combinations of 2 nearest neighbor pad electrodes, with corrections relying on the common electrode signal and also on the relative difference between the two pixel signals. A summed spectrum was for the Compton events was obtained with a energy resolution of 1.1 % FWHM for the 1.115 MeV line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to technical constraints this article was published in volume 240:1 with erroneous article citation ID number 3 whereas this should have been 73 which is corrected as such. Springer Nature sincerely apologizes towards the author(s) for the inconvenience caused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method for simultaneous measurement of masses, Q-values, isomer excitation energies, half-lives and decay branching ratios of exotic nuclei has been demonstrated. The method includes first use of a stopping cell as an ion trap, combining storage of mother and daughter nuclides for variable durations in a cryogenic stopping cell (CSC), and afterwards the identification and counting of them by a multiple-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MR-TOF-MS). We utilized our method to record the decay and growth of the 216Po and 212Pb isotopes (alpha decay) and of the 119m2Sb isomer ( t 1 / 2 = 850 ± 90 ms) and 119gSb isotope (isomer transition), obtaining half-lives consistent with literature values. The amount of non-nuclear-decay losses in the CSC up to ∼ 10 s is negligible, which exhibits its extraordinary cleanliness. For 119Sb isotopes, we present the first direct measurements of the mass of its ground state, and the excitation energy and decay branching ratios of its second isomeric state (119m2Sb). This resolves discrepancies in previous excitation energy data, and is the first direct evidence that the 119m2Sb isomer decays dominantly via γ emission. These results pave the way for the measurement of branching ratios of exotic nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The FRS Ion Catcher at GSI enables precision experiments with thermalized projectile and fission fragments. At the same time it serves as a test facility for the Low-Energy Branch of the Super-FRS at FAIR. The FRS Ion Catcher has been commissioned and its performance has been characterized in five experiments with 238U and 124Xe projectile and fission fragments produced at energies in the range from 300 to 1000 MeV/u. High and almost element-independent efficiencies for the thermalization of short-lived nuclides produced at relativistic energies have been obtained. High-accuracy mass measurements of more than 30 projectile and fission fragments have been performed with a multiple-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MR-TOF-MS) at mass resolving powers of up to 410,000, with production cross sections down to the microbarn-level, and at rates down to a few ions per hour. The versatility of the MR-TOF-MS for isomer research has been demonstrated by the measurement of various isomers, determination of excitation energies and the production of a pure isomeric beam. Recently, several instrumental upgrades have been implemented at the FRS Ion Catcher. New experiments will be carried out during FAIR Phase-0 at GSI, including direct mass measurements of neutron-deficient nuclides below 100Sn and neutron-rich nuclides below 208Pb, measurement of β-delayed neutron emission probabilities and reaction studies with multi-nucleon transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments with low-energy rare ion beams often suffer from a large amount of molecular contaminant ions. We present the simple isolation-dissociation-isolation method to suppress this kind of contamination. The method can be applied to almost all types of low-energy beamlines. In a first step, a coarse isolation of the mass-to-charge ratio of interest is performed, e.g. by a dipole magnet. In a second step, the ions are dissociated. The last step is again a coarse isolation of the mass-to-charge ratio around the ion of interest. The method was tested at the FRS Ion Catcher at GSI with a radioactive ion source installed inside the cryogenic stopping cell as well as with relativistic ions delivered by the synchrotron SIS-18 and stopped in the cryogenic stopping cell. The isolation and dissociation, here collision-induced dissociation, have been implemented in a gas-filled RFQ beamline. A reduction of molecular contamination by more than 4 orders of magnitude was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas-filled stopping cells are used at accelerator laboratories for the thermalization of high-energy radioactive ion beams. Common challenges of many stopping cells are a high molecular background of extracted ions and limitations of extraction efficiency due to space-charge effects. At the FRS Ion Catcher at GSI, a new technique for removal of ionized molecules prior to their extraction out of the stopping cell has been developed. This technique utilizes the RF carpet for the separation of atomic ions from molecular contaminant ions through their difference in ion mobility. Results from the successful implementation and test during an experiment with a 600 MeV/u 124Xe primary beam are presented. Suppression of molecular contaminants by three orders of magnitude has been demonstrated. Essentially background-free measurement conditions with less than 1 % of background events within a mass-to-charge range of 25 u/e have been achieved. The technique can also be used to reduce the space-charge effects at the extraction nozzle and in the downstream beamline, thus ensuring high efficiency of ion transport and highly-accurate measurements under space-charge-free conditions. Image 1 • Extraction of thermalized ions out of a gas-filled stopping cell with an RF carpet. • Atomic and molecular ions can be separated with the RF carpet by their ion mobility. • Suppression of molecular background by three orders of magnitude with the RF carpet. • Removal of space charge prior to extraction of ions out of the stopping cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]