Coulomb Excitation Research Articles

Digital Rise-Time Discrimination of Pulses from the Tigress Integrated Plunger Silicon PIN Diode Wall

Electromagnetic transition rate measurements play an important role in characterizing the evolution of nuclear structure with increasing proton-neutron asymmetry. At TRIUMF, the TIGRESS Integrated Plunger device and its suite of ancillary detector systems have been implemented for charged-particle tagging and light-ion identification in coincidence with gamma-ray spectroscopy for Doppler-shift lifetime studies and low-energy Coulomb excitation measurements. Digital pulse-shape analysis of signals from these ancillary detectors for particle identification improves the signal-to-noise ratio of gamma-ray energy spectra. Here, we illustrate the reaction-channel selectivity achieved by utilizing digital rise-time discrimination of waveforms from alpha particles and carbon ions detected with silicon PIN diodes, thereby enhancing gamma-ray line-shape signatures for precision lifetime studies.

Heavy ion beam loss mechanisms at an electron-ion collider

There are currently several proposals to build a high-luminosity electron-ion collider, to study the spin structure of matter and measure parton densities in heavy nuclei, and to search for gluon saturation and new phenomena like the colored glass condensate. These measurements require operation with heavy-nuclei. We calculate the cross-sections for two important processes that will affect accelerator and detector operations: bound-free pair production, and Coulomb excitation of the nuclei. Both of these reactions have large cross-sections, 28-56 mb, which can lead to beam ion losses, produce beams of particles with altered charge:mass ratio, and produce a large flux of neutrons in zero degree calorimeters. The loss of beam particles limits the sustainable electron-ion luminosity to levels of several times $10^{32}/$cm$^2$/s.

State-selective high-energy excitation of nuclei by resonant positron annihilation

In the annihilation of a positron with a bound atomic electron, the virtual γ photon created may excite the atomic nucleus. We put forward this effect as a spectroscopic tool for an energy-selective excitation of nuclear transitions. This scheme can efficiently populate nuclear levels of arbitrary multipolarities in the MeV regime, including giant resonances and monopole transitions. In certain cases, it may have higher cross sections than the conventionally used Coulomb excitation and it can even occur with high probability when the latter is energetically forbidden.

Intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation ofSn104: ModerateE2strength decrease approachingSn100

The reduced transition probability B(E2) of the first excited 2+ state in the nucleus 104Sn was measured via Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics at intermediate energies. A value of 0.163(26) e^2b^2 was extracted from the absolute cross-section on a Pb target, while the method itself was verified with the stable 112Sn isotope. Our result deviates significantly from the earlier reported value of 0.10(4) e^2b^2 and corresponds to a moderate decrease of excitation strength relative to the almost constant values observed in the proton-rich, even-A 106-114Sn isotopes. Present state-of-the-art shell-model predictions, which include proton and neutron excitations across the N=Z=50 shell closures as well as standard polarization charges, underestimate the experimental findings

Temperature-dependent Coulomb excitations in silicene

The temperature-dependent Coulomb screening and excitation spectrum of electrons in silicene are studied by the tight-binding model and the random-phase approximation. With the spin–orbit interaction, monolayer silicene is a narrow-gap semiconductor. At finite temperatures, the interplay between the intraband and interband transitions could lead to an undamped plasmon mode at low frequencies. The plasmon mode only exists in a limited region of temperature and momentum, corresponding to the constrained gap transition. Beyond that region, another damped plasmon mode dominates the excitation spectrum. The drastic change in the plasmon behavior might be observed experimentally, which could allow for the identification of the spin–orbit energy gap.

Isospin symmetry in thesdshell: Transition strengths in the neutron-deficientsdshell nucleusAr33

Reduced transition strengths of the deexciting transitions from the first two excited states in 33Ar were measured in a relativistic Coulomb excitation experiment at the GSI Helmholtz center. The radioactive ion beam was produced by fragmentation of a primary 36Ar beam on a 9Be target followed by the selection of the reaction product of interest via the GSI Fragment Separator. The 33Ar beam hit a secondary 197Au target with an energy of approximately 145 MeV/nucleon. An array of high-purity germanium cluster detectors and large-volume BaF2 scintillator detectors were employed for γ -ray spectroscopy at the secondary target position. The Lund-York-Cologne Calorimeter was used to track the outgoing ions and to identify the nuclear reaction channels. For the two lowest energy excited states of 33Ar the reduced transition strengths have been determined. With these first results the Tz = −3/2 nucleus 33Ar is now, together with 21Na (Tz = −1/2), the only neutron-deficient odd-A sd shell nucleus in which experimental transition strengths are available. The experimental values are compared to results of shell-model calculations which describe simultaneously mirror-energy differences and transition-strength values of mirror pairs in the sd shell in a consistent way

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 239

Spectroscopic data and level schemes from radioactive decay and nuclear reaction studies are presented here for all nuclei with mass number A=239.In general, a relatively small amount of new data on this mass chain has been reported since the previous evaluation in 2003. However, special evaluations, such as “Database of prompt gamma rays from slow neutron–capture from elemental analysis” (2007ChZX), have provided additional precise data for levels in 239U. Also, new Coulomb excitation measurements in 239Pu have extended the knowledge of the 1/2[631] rotational band up to Jπ=(55/2+), and that of the octupole vibrational band up to Jπ=(53/2−).For historical knowledge it is worth mentioning the report on the “Discovery of isotopes of the transuranium elements with 93 <= Z <= 98” (2013Fr02), where the information for elements Np, Pu, Am, and Cf with mass number A=239 is presented.The alpha hindrance factors (HF) presented in this evaluation were calculated using values of the radius parameter (r0) interpolated from those for even–even adjacent nuclei given by 1998Ak04.

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 235

Spectroscopic data and level schemes from radioactive decay and nuclear reaction studies are presented here for all nuclei with mass number A=235.The highlight of this evaluation consists of the precise and comprehensive Coulomb excitation study (2012Wa35) on 235U, which in addition to the 7/2[743] ground state rotational band, extended the 1/2[631], 5/2[622], 5/2[752], and 3/2[631] rotational bands up to Jπ=53/2+, 49/2+, 441/2−, and 43/2+, respectively.This evaluation presents a study (2010Hu02) of the 237Np(116Sn, 118Snγ) reaction where the ground state rotational band 5/2[642] was observed up to Jπ=(53/2+).It is worth for historical knowledge to mention the report on the “Discovery of isotopes of the transuranium elements with 93≤Z≤98” (2013Fr02), where the information for elements Np, Pu, and Am with mass number A=235 is given. 235Cf has not been observed.The alpha hindrance factors (HF) presented in this evaluation were calculated using values of the radius parameter (r0) interpolated from those for even–even adjacent nuclei given by 1998Ak04.

Quadrupole transition strength in the (74)Ni nucleus and core polarization effects in the neutron-rich Ni isotopes.

The reduced transition probability B(E2;0(+)→2(+)) has been measured for the neutron-rich nucleus (74)Ni in an intermediate energy Coulomb excitation experiment performed at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University. The obtained B(E2;0(+)→2(+))=642(-226)(+216) e(2) fm(4) value defines a trend which is unexpectedly small if referred to (70)Ni and to a previous indirect determination of the transition strength in (74)Ni. This indicates a reduced polarization of the Z=28 core by the valence neutrons. Calculations in the pfgd model space reproduce well the experimental result indicating that the B(E2) strength predominantly corresponds to neutron excitations. The ratio of the neutron and proton multipole matrix elements supports such an interpretation.

Decay through a doorway state and the puzzle ofTa180

The decay of a very long-lived state, such as the famous $J={9}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ isomeric state in $^{180}\mathrm{Ta}$, when irradiated by $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays or subjected to Coulomb excitation, can be accelerated by the existence of a doorway state for mixing an excited state of the isomeric band with the states of other bands decaying to the ground state. We describe the mechanism of such a decay similar to the chaos-assisted tunneling.

High-precisionB(E2)measurements of semi-magicNi58,60,62,64by Coulomb excitation

High-precision reduced electric-quadrupole transition probabilities $B(E2;{0}_{1}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{2}_{1}^{+})$ have been measured from single-step Coulomb excitation of semi-magic $^{58,60,62,64}\mathrm{Ni}$ ($Z=28$) beams at 1.8 MeV per nucleon on a natural carbon target. The energy loss of the nickel beams through the carbon target were directly measured with a zero-degree Bragg detector and the absolute $B(E2)$ values were normalized by Rutherford scattering. The $B(E2)$ values disagree with recent lifetime studies that employed the Doppler-shift attenuation method. The present high-precision $B(E2)$ values reveal an asymmetry about $^{62}\mathrm{Ni}$, midshell between $N=28$ and 40, with larger values towards $^{56}\mathrm{Ni}$ ($Z=N=28$). The experimental $B(E2)$ values are compared with shell-model calculations in the full $pf$ model space and the results indicate a soft $^{56}\mathrm{Ni}$ core.

Determination of the B(E3, 0+ → 3−)-excitation strength in octupole-correlated nuclei near A ≈ 224 by the means of Coulomb excitation at REX-ISOLDE

The IS475 collaboration conducted Coulomb-excitation experiments with postaccelerated radioactive 220Rn and 224Ra beams at the REX-ISOLDE facility. The beam particles (Ebeam ≈ 2.83 MeV/u) were Coulomb excited using 60Ni, 114Cd, and 120Sn scattering targets. De-excitation γ-rays were detected employing the Miniball array and scattered particles were detected in a silicon detector. Exploiting the Coulomb-excitation code GOSIA for each nucleus several matrix elements could be obtained from the measured γ-ray yields. The extracted ⟨3−||Ê3||0+⟩ matrix element allows for the conclusion that, while 220Rn represents an octupole vibrational system, 224Ra has already substantial octupole correlations in its ground state. An observation that has implications for the search of CP-violating Schiff moments in the atomic systems of the adjacent odd-mass nuclei.

Analysis and results of the 104Sn Coulomb excitation experiment

The analysis of the Coulomb excitation experiment conducted on 104Sn required a strict selection of the data in order to reduce the large background present in the γ-ray energy spectra and identify the γ-ray peak corresponding to the Coulomb excitation events. As a result the B(E2; 0+ → 2+) value could be extracted, which established the downward trend towards 100Sn and therefore the robustness of the N=Z=50 core against quadrupole excitations.

Investigation of exotic nuclei with absolute transition probabilities

Transition probabilities are crucial for the understanding of nuclear structure. Deep inelastic reactions, knockout reactions and projectile Coulomb excitation with fast radioactive beams are suited to populate excited states in exotic nuclei. Examples are presented which demonstrate that recoil Doppler shift lifetime measurements can be applied successfully in combination with such reactions to measure level lifetimes.

Rotational behavior ofTe120,122,124

Three consecutive Coulomb excitation experiments were performed to measure the reduced transition probabilities in $^{120,122,124}\mathrm{Te}$ by using a $^{58}\mathrm{Ni}$ beam. For $^{120}\mathrm{Te}$ the collectivity was remeasured with high precision yielding a $B(E2;{0}_{\text{g.s.}}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{2}_{1}^{+})$ value of 0.666 (20) $\mathrm{e}^{2}\mathrm{b}{}^{2}$. From the $B(E2)$ values connecting higher-lying states, the nuclear structure of $^{120,122,124}\mathrm{Te}$ was determined and shows a rotational behavior quite in contrast with the vibrational structure of the level schemes. The data are compared with different models.

Low-velocity transient-field technique with radioactive ion beams:gfactor of the first excited 2+state in72Zn

The $g$ factor of the first excited ${2}^{+}$ state in ${}^{72}\mathrm{Zn}$ has been measured using the transient-field (TF) technique in combination with Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics. This experiment presents only the third successful application of the TF method to a short-lived radioactive beam in 10 y, highlighting the intricacies of applying this technique to present and future isotope separator on-line facilities. The significance of the experimental result, $g({2}_{1}^{+})=+0.47(14)$, for establishing the structure of the Zn isotopes near $N=40$ is discussed on the basis of shell-model and beyond-mean-field calculations, the latter accounting for the triaxial degree of freedom, configuration mixing, and particle number and angular momentum projections.

UV irradiations induce variations of ferromagnetism and resistivity in nitrogen doped ZnO films

Abstract The saturated room-temperature ferromagnetism observed from nitrogen-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:N) increases significantly after ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation. During the period of irradiation, the resistivity as a function of time decreases dramatically and reaches saturation eventually. The log scale of the resistivity as a function of irradiation time reveals two sequential linear lines with different slops. Both of linear lines correspond to different dominant transports which result from some electrons recombination captured by the impurity band induced from the N doping. Similarly, the reverse properties of resistivity change appear at the samples after turning off the UV irradiation. The experiments convince us of the magnetic mechanism arising from the Coulomb excitation.

Simulated performance of the in-beam conversion-electron spectrometer, SPICE

The SPICE spectrometer is a new in-beam electron spectrometer designed to operate in conjunction with the TIGRESS HPGe Clover array at TRIUMF-ISAC. The spectrometer consists of a large area, annular, segmented lithium-drifted silicon electron detector shielded from the target by a photon shield. A permanent magnetic lens directs electrons around the photon shield to the detector. Experiments will be performed utilising Coulomb excitation, inelastic-scattering, transfer and fusion–evaporation reactions using stable and radioactive ion beams with suitable heavy-ion detection. Good detection efficiency can be achieved in a large energy range up to 3500keV electron energy using several magnetic lens designs which are quickly interchangeable. COMSOL and Geant4 simulations have been used to maximise the detection efficiency. In addition, the simulations have guided the design of components to minimise the contributions from various sources of backgrounds.

Precision measurement of the electromagnetic dipole strengths in [formula omitted

The electromagnetic dipole strength in Be11 between the bound states has been measured using low-energy projectile Coulomb excitation at bombarding energies of 1.73 and 2.09 MeV/nucleon on a Pt196 target. An electric dipole transition probability B(E1;1/2−→1/2+)=0.102(2) e2fm2 was determined using the semi-classical code Gosia, and a value of 0.098(4) e2fm2 was determined using the Extended Continuum Discretized Coupled Channels method with the quantum mechanical code FRESCO. These extracted B(E1) values are consistent with the average value determined by a model-dependent analysis of intermediate energy Coulomb excitation measurements and are approximately 14% lower than that determined by a lifetime measurement. The much-improved precisions of 2% and 4% in the measured B(E1) values between the bound states deduced using Gosia and the Extended Continuum Discretized Coupled Channels method, respectively, compared to the previous accuracy of ∼10% will help in our understanding of and better improve the realistic inter-nucleon interactions.

Coulomb excitation of29,30Na: Mapping the borders of the island of inversion

Nuclear shell evolution in neutron-rich Na nuclei around N = 20 was studied by determining reduced transition probabilities, i.e., B(E2) and B(M1) values, in order to map the border of the island of inversion. To this end Coulomb-excitation experiments, employing radioactive Na-29,Na-30 beams with a final beam energy of 2.85 MeV/nucleon, were performed at REX-ISOLDE, CERN. De-excitation gamma rays were detected by the MINIBALL gamma-ray spectrometer in coincidence with scattered particles in a segmented Si detector. Transition probabilities to excited states were deduced. The measured B(E2) values agree well with shell-model predictions, supporting the idea that in the Na isotopic chain the ground-state wave function contains significant intruder admixture already at N = 18, with N = 19 having an almost pure two-particle-two-hole deformed ground-state configuration. (Less)