Β-delayed Neutron Emission Probabilities Research Articles

Study of decay properties for Ba to Nd nuclei relevant for the formation of the r-process rare-earth peak (A∼160)

At the RIKEN Nishina Center, exotic neutron-rich isotopes of Ba, La, Ce, Pr, and Nd were measured. This work reports their half-lives (T1/2) and β-delayed neutron-emission probabilities (Pxn). The setup consisted of the BigRIPS in-flight separator for particle identification, the Advanced Implantation Detector Array (AIDA) for ions and β detection, and the BRIKEN neutron counter for neutron detection. Using this arrangement, 4 new T1/2 and 14 new P1n were measured. Furthermore, 38 T1/2 and 2 P1n values were remeasured, decreasing the uncertainties for some of them. In addition to improving predictions of nucleosynthesis models that describe the production of the rare-earth peak at A ∼ 160 via the r-process, these additional experimental data should help to constrain theoretical models for calculations of T1/2 and Pxn in this region.

Measuring the β-decay Properties of Neutron-rich Exotic Pm, Sm, Eu, and Gd Isotopes to Constrain the Nucleosynthesis Yields in the Rare-earth Region

The β-delayed neutron-emission probabilities of 28 exotic neutron-rich isotopes of Pm, Sm, Eu, and Gd were measured for the first time at RIKEN Nishina Center using the Advanced Implantation Detector Array (AIDA) and the BRIKEN neutron detector array. The existing β-decay half-life (T 1/2) database was significantly increased toward more neutron-rich isotopes, and uncertainties for previously measured values were decreased. The new data not only constrain the theoretical predictions of half-lives and β-delayed neutron-emission probabilities, but also allow for probing the mechanisms of formation of the high-mass wing of the rare-earth peak located at A ≈ 160 in the r-process abundance distribution through astrophysical reaction network calculations. An uncertainty quantification of the calculated abundance patterns with the new data shows a reduction of the uncertainty in the rare-earth peak region. The newly introduced variance-based sensitivity analysis method offers valuable insight into the influence of important nuclear physics inputs on the calculated abundance patterns. The analysis has identified the half-lives of 168Sm and of several gadolinium isotopes as some of the key variables among the current experimental data to understand the remaining abundance uncertainty at A = 167–172.

β-Decay properties of neutron-rich yttrium isotopes

In this study, we have reported key nuclear properties of weak β-decay processes on Yttrium isotopes for the mass number range A = 101 − 108. This mass region has importance while dealing with astrophysical r-process abundances. Our study might be helpful in r-process simulations. We have computed charge-changing strength distributions, β-decay half-lives, β-delayed neutron emission probabilities and β − (EC) weak rates under stellar conditions. We have performed microscopic calculations based on deformed proton-neutron quasi-particle random phase approximation (p–n-QRPA) over a wide temperature (107 − 3 × 1010) K and density (10 − 1011) g/cm3 domain. Unique first-forbidden (U1F) transitions have been included in the calculations in addition to the allowed transitions. A significant decrease in calculated half-lives in ceratin cases, e.g., in 107Y (108Y) by about 67% (42%), has been observed because of the contribution from U1F transitions. We have compared present results with measured and theoretical works. A good agreement of our half-lives with experimental data is observed.

β-delayed neutron emission of r-process nuclei at the N = 82 shell closure

Theoretical models of β-delayed neutron emission are used as crucial inputs in r-process calculations. Benchmarking the predictions of these models is a challenge due to a lack of currently available experimental data. In this work the β-delayed neutron emission probabilities of 33 nuclides in the important mass regions south and south-west of 132Sn are presented, 16 for the first time. The measurements were performed at RIKEN using the Advanced Implantation Detector Array (AIDA) and the BRIKEN neutron detector array. The P1n values presented constrain the predictions of theoretical models in the region, affecting the final abundance distribution of the second r-process peak at A≈130.

Compilation and Evaluation of Beta-Delayed Neutron Emission Probabilities and Half-Lives for Z > 28 Precursors

We present a compilation and evaluation of experimental β-delayed neutron emission probabilities (Pn) and half-lives (T1/2) for known or potential β-delayed neutron precursors with atomic number Z > 28 (73Cu–233Fr). This article includes the recommended values of both of these quantities, together with a compilation of experimental measurements when available. Some notable cases, as well as proposed standards for β-delayed neutron measurements are also discussed. Evaluated data has also been compared to systematics using three different approaches. The literature cut-off date for this work is August 15, 2020.

Shape evolution of neutron-rich Mo106,108,110 isotopes in the triaxial degree of freedom

Background: Neutron-rich nuclei with mass number between 100 and 110 attract much attention, since several kinds of shapes, such as spherical, prolate, oblate, and triaxial shapes, are predicted. In particular, for neutron-rich Mo isotopes, different models predict different magnitudes and rigidity of triaxial deformation. Previous interpretations of experimental results based solely on low-lying 22+ states are insufficient to distinguish between the rigid triaxial shape, γ vibration, or γ-soft rotor. Purpose: The shape evolution of Mo106, Mo108, and Mo110 is investigated through their 21+-state lifetimes, decay-branching ratios of the 22+ state, and energies of the low-lying collective excited states with Kπ=0+,2+, and 4+. Method: β-delayed γ-ray spectroscopy was employed for neutron-rich Nb and Zr isotopes produced at the RIKEN RI Beam Factory to populate excited states in Mo106, Mo108, and Mo110. The EUroball-RIKEN Cluster Array was used for high-resolution γ-ray detection and lifetimes of the 21+ states were determined using the UK fast-timing array of LaBr3(Ce) detectors. Results: New γ-ray transitions and levels are reported, including newly assigned 02+ states in Mo108,110. Quadrupole deformations were obtained for Mo106,108,110 from their 21+ energies and lifetimes. The β-delayed neutron-emission probabilities of Nb108 and Nb110 were determined by examining the γ rays of their respective daughter decays. Conclusions: The even-odd energy staggering in the 22+ band was compared with typical patterns of the γ-vibrational band, rigid triaxial rotor, and γ-soft rotor. The very small even-odd staggering of Mo106, Mo108, and Mo110 favors a γ-vibrational band assignment. The kinematic moment of inertia for the 22+ band showed a trend similar to the ground-state band, which is as expected for the γ-vibrational band. Beyond-mean-field calculations employing the constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov and local quasiparticle-random-phase approximation method using the SLy5+T interaction reproduced the ground and 22+ bands in Mo106 and Mo108. The collective wave functions are consistent with the interpretation of the 22+ band as the γ-vibrational band of the prolate shape. However, the staggering pattern observed in Mo110 differs from the one suggested in the calculations which predict a γ-soft rotor. There was no experimental indication of the oblate shape or the γ-soft rotor predicted in these Mo isotopes.10 MoreReceived 28 August 2019Revised 19 December 2019Accepted 17 January 2020DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.101.044311©2020 American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasBeta decayCollective levelsNuclear structure & decaysNucleon distributionProperties90 ≤ A ≤ 149Nuclear Physics

A new reference database for beta-delayed neutrons

A new database containing all available experimental and evaluated β-delayed neutron data is presented in this paper. The database is the product of an international effort coordinated by the International Atomic Energy Agency. It comprises a microscopic section including all available experimental data on beta-decay half-lives, β-delayed neutron emission probabilities and spectra, as well as new systematics and global theoretical calculations for comparison. The beta-delayed neutron data for individual precursors have been benchmarked against available data on macroscopic properties such as total delayed-neutron yields and spectra, delayed-neutron decay curves and time-dependent group parameters using the summation method. All available measured macroscopic data have also been compiled in the macroscopic section of the database. The dedicated database is available online on the IAEA server (URL:http://www-nds.iaea.org/beta-delayed-neutron/database.html).

Commissioning of the BRIKEN detector for the measurement of very exotic [formula omitted]-delayed neutron emitters

A new detection system has been installed at the RIKEN Nishina Center (Japan) to investigate decay properties of very neutron-rich nuclei. The setup consists of three main parts: a moderated neutron counter, a detection system sensitive to the implantation and decay of radioactive ions, and γ-ray detectors. We describe here the setup, the commissioning experiment and some selected results demonstrating its performance for the measurement of half-lives and β-delayed neutron emission probabilities. The methodology followed in the analysis of the data is described in detail. Particular emphasis is placed on the correction of the accidental neutron background.

Nuclear properties for astrophysical and radioactive-ion-beam applications (II)

We tabulate the ground-state odd-proton and odd-neutron spins and parities, proton and neutron pairing gaps, one- and two-neutron separation energies, quantities related to β-delayed one- and two-neutron emission probabilities, average energy and average number of emitted neutrons, β-decay energy release and half-life with respect to Gamow–Teller decay with a phenomenological treatment of first-forbidden decays, one- and two-proton separation energies, and α-decay energy release and half-life for 9318 nuclei ranging from 16O to 339136 and extending from the proton drip line to the neutron drip line. This paper is a new and improved version of Atomic Data And Nuclear Data Tables [66 131 (1997)]. The starting point of our present work is the new study (FRDM(2012)) of nuclear ground-state masses and deformations based on the finite-range droplet model and folded-Yukawa single-particle potential published in a previous issue of Atomic Data And Nuclear Data Tables [109–110, 1 (2016)]. The β-delayed neutron-emission probabilities and Gamow–Teller β-decay rates are obtained from a quasi-particle random-phase approximation with single-particle levels and wave functions at the calculated nuclear ground-state shapes as input quantities. A development since 1997 is we now use a Hauser–Feshbach approach to account for (n, γ) competition and treat first-forbidden decay in a phenomenological approach.

Ion implant-β-decay correlation half-lives in a pulsed beam for isotopes beyond N=126

Half-lives and β-delayed neutron emission probabilities of several isotopes of Au, Hg, Tl, Pb and Bi, in the neutron-rich region around and beyond N=126, were determined in an experiment performed at the RIB facility of GSI [1]. These are decay properties that are directly related to the final abundance distribution of the elements due to their contribution during the freeze-out of the r-process nucleosynthesis. This contribution summarizes the main aspects of the analysis methodology followed for the determination of β-decay half-lives. The main particularities of the present analysis concern the characterization of the β-background, as well as the effect of the pulsed-beam in the ion-β time correlations.

Improvement of gross theory of beta-decay for application to nuclear data

A theoretical study of β decay and delayed neutron has been carried out with a global β-decay model, the gross theory. The gross theory is based on a consideration of the sum rule of the β-strength function, and gives reasonable results of β-decay rates and delayed neutron in the entire nuclear mass region. In a fissioning nucleus, neutrons are produced by β decay of neutron-rich fission fragments from actinides known as delayed neutrons. The average number of delayed neutrons is estimated based on the sum of the β-delayed neutron-emission probabilities multiplied by the cumulative fission yield for each nucleus. Such a behavior is important to manipulate nuclear reactors, and when we adopt some new high-burn-up reactors, properties of minor actinides will play an important roll in the system, but these data have not been sufficient. We re-analyze and improve the gross theory. For example, we considered the parity of neutrons and protons at the Fermi surface, and treat a suppression for the allowed transitions in the framework of the gross theory. By using the improved gross theory, underestimated half-lives in the neutron-rich indium isotopes and neighboring region increase, and consequently follow experimental trend. The ability of reproduction (and also prediction) of the β-decay rates, delayed-neutron emission probabilities is discussed. With this work, we have described the development of a programming code of the gross theory of β-decay including the improved parts. After preparation finished, this code can be released for the nuclear data community.

Evidence for Gamow-Teller Decay of ^{78}Ni Core from Beta-Delayed Neutron Emission Studies.

The β-delayed neutron emission of ^{83,84}Ga isotopes was studied using the neutron time-of-flight technique. The measured neutron energy spectra showed emission from states at excitation energies high above the neutron separation energy and previously not observed in the β decay of midmass nuclei. The large decay strength deduced from the observed intense neutron emission is a signature of Gamow-Teller transformation. This observation was interpreted as evidence for allowed β decay to ^{78}Ni core-excited states in ^{83,84}Ge favored by shell effects. We developed shell model calculations in the proton fpg_{9/2} and neutron extended fpg_{9/2}+d_{5/2} valence space using realistic interactions that were used to understand measured β-decay lifetimes. We conclude that enhanced, concentrated β-decay strength for neutron-unbound states may be common for very neutron-rich nuclei. This leads to intense β-delayed high-energy neutron and strong multineutron emission probabilities that in turn affect astrophysical nucleosynthesis models.

First Measurement of Several β-Delayed Neutron Emitting Isotopes Beyond N=126.

The β-delayed neutron emission probabilities of neutron rich Hg and Tl nuclei have been measured together with β-decay half-lives for 20 isotopes of Au, Hg, Tl, Pb, and Bi in the mass region N≳126. These are the heaviest species where neutron emission has been observed so far. These measurements provide key information to evaluate the performance of nuclear microscopic and phenomenological models in reproducing the high-energy part of the β-decay strength distribution. This provides important constraints on global theoretical models currently used in r-process nucleosynthesis.

Decay properties of 68,69,70Mn: Probing collectivity up to N = 44 in Fe isotopic chain

The β decays Mn68→Fe68, Mn69→Fe69 and Mn70→Fe70 have been measured at the RIBF facility at RIKEN using the EURICA γ spectrometer combined with an active stopper consisting of a stack of Si detectors. The nuclei were produced as fission fragments from a beam of 238U at a bombarding energy of 345 MeV/nucleon impinging on a Be target and selected using the BigRIPS separator. Half-lives and β-delayed neutron emission probabilities have been extracted for these decays, together with first experimental information on excited states populated in 69,70Fe. The data indicate a continuously increasing deformation for Fe isotopes up to A=70. This is interpreted, as for Cr isotopes, in terms of the interplay between the quadrupole correlations of the ν1d5/2 and ν0g9/2 orbitals and the monopole component of the π0f7/2–ν0f5/2 interaction.

Theoretical Study of Beta Decay for Delayed Neutron

Abstract A theoretical study has been carried out on delayed neutrons. Such neutrons are produced by β decay of neutron-rich fission fragments. The average number of delayed neutrons is estimated based on the sum of the β-delayed neutron-emission probabilities multiplied by the cumulative fission yield for each nucleus. Using the gross theory of β decay, the ability to theoretically reproduce the β-decay rate and the delayed neutron emission probability is discussed.

β-decay half-lives including first-forbidden contributions for neutron-rich Zn isotopes in the extended QRPA with neutron-proton pairing

The β decays of neutron-rich Zn isotopes are investigated within the extended quasiparticle random-phase approximation, where neutron-neutron, proton-proton, and neutron-proton pairing correlations are considered in the similar manner. The Brückner G-matrix obtained with the charge-dependent Bonn nucleon-nucleon force is used for the residual particle-particle and particle-hole interactions in addition to the pairing interactions. Contributions from both allowed Gamow-Teller and first-forbidden transitions are considered, and β-decay half-lives together with β-delayed neutron emission probabilities are calculated. The calculated results are found to agree well with the available experimental data.

β-decay rates of neutron-rich Kr and Sr isotopes in the deformed QRPA with realistic interactions

Deformed quasiparticle random phase approximation with realistic nucleon–nucleon interactions is employed to investigate β-decay half-lives and β-delayed neutron emission probabilities of neutron-rich Kr and Sr isotopes. The residual particle–particle and particle-hole interactions are obtained in terms of the Brückner G-matrix with the charge-dependent Bonn nucleon–nucleon force. Both allowed Gamow–Teller and first-forbidden transitions are taken into account. The available experimental half-lives are well reproduced with a factor of about three. Predictions on β-decay properties are made for more neutron-rich isotopes, which could be useful for future experiments.

An analysis of β-delayed neutron emission of even–even neutron-rich nuclei with proton-neutron QRPA

β-delayed neutron emission probabilities of even–even nuclei are examined with a proton-neutron quasi-particle random-phase-approximation (pnQRPA). To calculate a light particle evaporation from excited states of daughter nucleus populated by β-decay, the Hauser-Feshbach statistical model is used. We discuss effects of isospin T = 0 pairing, tensor force and nuclear deformation on the β-delayed neutron emission probability. We find that the effect of nuclear deformation is essential rather than the that of isospin T = 0 pairing and tensor force to give an appropriate β-feedings to energy window of neutron emission. The obtained β-delayed neutron emission probabilities are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data of several typical delayed neutron emitters. The results are also compared with the FRDM + QRPA calculation. We conclude that the present approach is promising to calculate β-delayed neutron.

β-decay measurements of A ≃ 70 − 110 r-process nuclei at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory

The present paper reports on several r-process motivated β-decay experiments undertaken at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. β-decay half-lives and β-delayed neutron-emission probabilities were measured for nuclei around the r-process A = 70–80 and A = 90 – 110 mass regions. The data are discussed on the basis of quasi-random phase approximation calculations. The emphasis is made on the impact of these data upon calculations of r-process abundances.

NUCLEAR PROPERTIES FOR ASTROPHYSICAL AND RADIOACTIVE-ION-BEAM APPLICATIONS

We tabulate the ground-state odd-proton and odd-neutron spins and parities, proton and neutron pairing gaps, total binding energy, one- and two-neutron separation energies, quantities related to β-delayed one- and two-neutron emission probabilities, β-decay energy release and half-life with respect to Gamow–Teller decay, one- and two-proton separation energies, and α-decay energy release and half-life for 8979 nuclei ranging from16O to339136 and extending from the proton drip line to the neutron drip line. Single-particle level diagrams and other quantities are also presented in graphical form. The starting point of our present work is a study of nuclear ground-state masses and deformations based on the finite-range droplet model and folded-Yukawa single-particle potential published in a previous issue of AtomicData andNuclearDataTables[59,185 (1995)]. The β-delayed neutron-emission probabilities and Gamow–Teller β-decay rates are obtained from a quasi-particle random-phase approximation with single-particle levels and wave functions at the calculated nuclear ground-state shapes as input quantities.