Gamma Decay Research Articles

In situ measurement of cesium-137 contamination in fruits from the northern Marshall Islands

Radioactive contamination of fruits in the northern Marshall Islands, resulting from the US nuclear weapons testing program in the 1940s and 1950s, is still a human health concern, in particular pertaining to island population resettlement and the economic benefit from farming. Over 200 fruits, primarily coconuts and pandanus, were collected on 11 islands from four atolls in the northern Marshall Islands in 2017. The energy spectra from nuclear gamma decays were measured on a research vessel for each fruit in situ. From these recordings, the level of cesium-137 (137Cs) contamination was determined for individual fruits. Comparisons of the results are made to past studies and international food safety standards. There is a broad distribution of values, ranging from below detectable radiation levels to relatively high levels; safety concerns are largest for Bikini Island. A noticeable fraction of fruits from Bikini have significantly higher levels of 137Cs contamination compared with those from all other measured islands.

Spectroscopy and lifetime measurements near the proton drip line: P26,27,28

We report on the observation of excited states in the neutron-deficient phosphorus isotopes $^{26,27,28}$P via in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy with both high-efficiency and high-resolution detector arrays. In $^{26}$P, a previously-unobserved level has been identified at 244(3) keV, two new measurements of the astrophysically-important 3/2$^+$ resonance in $^{27}$P have been performed, gamma decays have been assigned to the proton-unbound levels at 2216 keV and 2483 keV in $^{28}$P, and the gamma-ray lineshape method has been used to make the first determination of the lifetimes of the two lowest-lying excited states in $^{28}$P. The expected Thomas-Ehrman shifts were calculated and applied to levels in the mirror nuclei. The resulting level energies from this procedure were then compared with the energies of known states in $^{26,27,28}$P.

Light-by-light scattering in ultraperipheral heavy-ion collisions at low diphoton masses

We present a study of photon-photon scattering in the mass range $W_{\gamma\gamma} < 5$ GeV. We extend earlier calculations of this cross section for $W_{\gamma\gamma}>$ 5 GeV into the low mass range where photoproduction of the pseudoscalar resonances $\eta$, $\eta^{'}(958)$ contributes to two-photon final states. We present the elementary photon-photon cross section as a function of diphoton mass $M_{\gamma\gamma}$ arising from lepton and quark loop diagrams, and the visible cross section obtained with the gamma-gamma decay branching fractions of the resonances $\eta$, $\eta^{'}(958)$, $\eta_c(1S)$, $\eta_c(2S)$, $\chi_{c0}(1P)$. We derive the corresponding cross sections in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV by folding the elementary cross section with the heavy-ion photon fluxes. We consider the dominating background of the two-photon final state which arises from gamma decays of photoproduced $\pi^{0}$-pairs. Such $\pi^{0}$-pairs contribute to the background when only two of the four decay photons are within the experimental acceptance, while the other two photons escape undetected. We reduce this background by applying cuts on asymmetries of transverse momenta of the two photons and indicate how the background can be further suppressed using a multivariate sideband analysis. We present the cross section for the signal and the background at midrapidity $|\eta| <$ 0.9, and in the forward rapidity range 2.0 $< \eta <$ 4.5.

Search for rare decays of mathrm {Z} and Higgs bosons to {mathrm {J}/psi } and a photon in proton-proton collisions at sqrt{s} = 13,text {TeV}

A search is presented for decays of mathrm {Z} and Higgs bosons to a {mathrm {J}/psi } meson and a photon, with the subsequent decay of the {mathrm {J}/psi } to mathrm {mu ^+}mathrm {mu ^-} . The analysis uses data from proton-proton collisions with an integrated luminosity of 35.9,text {fb}^{-1} at sqrt{s}=13,text {TeV} collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. The observed limit on the mathrm {Z}rightarrow {mathrm {J}/psi } gamma decay branching fraction, assuming that the {mathrm {J}/psi } meson is produced unpolarized, is 1.4times 10^{-6} at 95% confidence level, which corresponds to a rate higher than expected in the standard model by a factor of 15. For extreme-polarization scenarios, the observed limit changes from -13.6 to +8.6% with respect to the unpolarized scenario. The observed upper limit on the branching fraction for mathrm {H} rightarrow {mathrm {J}/psi } gamma where the {mathrm {J}/psi } meson is assumed to be transversely polarized is 7.6times 10^{-4}, a factor of 260 larger than the standard model prediction. The results for the Higgs boson are combined with previous data from proton-proton collisions at sqrt{s}=8,text {TeV} to produce an observed upper limit on the branching fraction for mathrm {H} rightarrow {mathrm {J}/psi } gamma that is a factor of 220 larger than the standard model value.

Study of the photon strength functions and level density in the gamma decay of the n + 234U reaction

The accurate calculations of neutron-induced reaction cross sections are relevant for many nuclear applications. The photon strength functions and nuclear level densities are essential inputs for such calculations. These quantities for 235U are studied using the measurement of the gamma de-excitation cascades in radiative capture on 234U with the Total Absorption Calorimeter at n_TOF at CERN. This segmented 4π gamma calorimeter is designed to detect gamma rays emitted from the nucleus with high efficiency. This experiment provides information on gamma multiplicity and gamma spectra that can be compared with numerical simulations. The code DICEBOXC is used to simulate the gamma cascades while GEANT4 is used for the simulation of the interaction of these gammas with the TAC materials. Available models and their parameters are being tested using the present data. Some preliminary results of this ongoing study are presented and discussed.

Simulation of the ELIGANT-GN array performances at ELI-NP for gamma beam energies larger than neutron threshold

Performance of the ELIGANT-GN array being developed at ELI-NP was evaluated using dedicated GEANT4 simulation code. The array is designed to consist of 17 LaBr3:Ce and 17 CeBr3 detectors as well as 33 BC501A and 29 6Li-glass detectors. The energy and time responses of the detectors were studied giving information on gamma and neutron absolute detection efficiencies of the array. A planned day-one experiment regarding the gamma and neutron decay from GDR in 208Pb is discussed and, based on simulations, the data analysis procedure is proposed. The detection efficiencies as well as the count rates estimations are presented.

Analysis of the semileptonic Brightarrow K_1 ell ^+ ell ^-transitions and non-leptonic B rightarrow K_1 gamma decay in the AdS/QCD correspondence

We consider the axial-vector mesons K_1(1270) and K_1(1400) as a mixture of two |^3P_1rangle and |^1P_1rangle states with the mixing angle theta that equal to (-34pm 13)^circ . We calculate the light-front distribution amplitudes (LFDAs) and decay constant formulas for both the axial-vector mesons K_1 in the AdS/QCD correspondence. The transition form factors of the semileptonic Brightarrow K_1 decays are derived in terms of the LFDAs for K_1 mesons. Using these form factors and decay constant values, the differential branching ratios of Brightarrow K_1 (1270, 1400) ell ^+ ell ^-, ell =mu ,tau transitions are plotted with respect to the four-momentum transfer squared, q^2. In addition, the branching ratio values of these decays and the non-leptonic B rightarrow K_1(1270, 1400) gamma decays are estimated. A comparison is made between our results for the branching ratios of Brightarrow K_1(1270, 1400) gamma decays in the AdS/QCD model and predictions obtained from the light-cone sum rules (LCSR) as well as the experimental values. Finally, the forward-backward asymmetries for the aforementioned semileptonic decays are plotted on q^2 in both the AdS/QCD correspondence and two Higgs doublet model (2HDM) in order to test the standard model (SM) and search for the new physics (NP).

Strong interaction between kaons in the reactions e+e−→K+K−γ and e+e−→K0K¯0γ

A theoretical model of the reactions e+ e- --> K+ K- gamma and e+ e- --> K0 K0bar gamma has been derived. The strong interaction between kaons is taken into account using a general form of the K Kbar scattering amplitude. It is shown that some models formulated in the past are particular cases of the present approach. The formulae for the K Kbar effective mass dependence of the differential cross section as well as for the angular kaon and photon distributions and for the branching fractions of the phi(1020)--> K+ K- gamma and phi(1020)--> K0 K0bar gamma decays have been obtained. We present numerical results for the functions entering into transition amplitudes, K Kbar effective mass distributions, total cross sections, and branching fractions. Finally, the model is generalized to treat other reactions with two pseudoscalar mesons accompanying a photon in the final state.

First results of the Hoyle-Gamma experiment: study of the excited levels in carbon-12 gamma decay

Preliminary analysis of the Hoyle-Gamma experiment is presented, where simultaneous gamma-particles detection for the α + 12C → α + (12C* + γ) reaction is used to suppress the background various orders of magnitude. This will allow us to measure very small Γ partial widths of 12C. Details of the method, the implementation and CHIMERA software analysis are presented as well as preliminary results.

Simulation of the Post-Shot Radiation Environment in the National Ignition Facility

The National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is the world’s largest and most energetic laser system for inertial confinement fusion. The NIF is designed to perform shots with varying fusion yield (up to 20 MJ or 7.1 × 1018 neutrons per shot). A large number of diagnostic instruments are present inside the target chamber (TC) and target bay (TB) during shots. The gamma dose rates due to neutron activation are estimated at various decay times following the high-yield (20-MJ) shots. Several components, like the snout assemblies of the diagnostic instrument manipulators and target positioners are inserted inside the TC, close to the target during the shot. These components represent major sources of gamma decay after retraction outside the TC. Five days after a 20-MJ shot, dose rates near the highly activated (retracted) parts are on the order of 1 mSv/h and dose rates within the TB outside the TC but at distance from the retracted components drop to about 50 to 70 μSv/h. The dose is dominated by decay of 24Na (T1/2 = 14.95 h) and waiting for two additional days drops the dose rates significantly. Seven days following a 20-MJ shot, dose rates in the immediate vicinity of the retracted components drop to <0.2 mSv/h and the general ambient dose rates within the TB (away from retracted components) near the TC drop to <10 μSv/h. Dose rates at much larger distances from the TC (near TB wall) are an order of magnitude lower. Detailed radiation transport simulations are performed to create detailed dose rate maps for all floors inside the TB. The maps are used to estimate worker stay-out times following shots before entry is permitted into the TB.

Gamma decay of pygmy states in 90,94Zr from inelastic scattering of light ions

We performed experiments to study the low-energy part of the E1 response (Pygmy Dipole Resonance) in 90,94Zr nuclei, by measuring the (p,p’γ) and (α,α’γ) inelastic scattering reactions at energies Ebeam,p = 80 MeV and Ebeam,α = 130 MeV respectively. The inelastically scattered particles were measured by employing the high-resolution spectrometer Grand Raiden. The gamma-rays emitted following the de-excitation of the Zr target nuclei were detected using both the clover type HPGe detectors of the CAGRA array and the large volume LaBr3:Ce scintillation detectors from the HECTOR+ array. Some preliminary results are presented here.

The photon polarization in radiative D decays, phenomenologically

We work out the phenomenology of untagged time-dependent analysis with radiative D^0-decays into CP eigenstates, which allows to probe the photon polarization by means of the charm mesons’ finite width difference. We show that D^0 rightarrow phi gamma or D^0 rightarrow bar{K}^{0 *} gamma decays, which are SM-dominated, or SM-like, respectively, together with U-spin allow to obtain chirality-predictions for radiative decay amplitudes. The order of magnitude of wrong-chirality contributions in the SM can be cross-checked with an up–down asymmetry in D^0 rightarrow bar{K}_1^0 (rightarrow bar{K} pi pi ) gamma . We explore the sensitivity to new physics in |Delta c|=|Delta u|=1 dipole couplings in the decays D^0 rightarrow rho ^0 gamma . We point out the possibility to test the SM with D_s rightarrow K_1^+( rightarrow K pi pi ) gamma decays.

Gamma Strength Functions and Level Densities from High-Resolution Proton Scattering under 0°

Inelastic proton scattering at energies of a few 100 MeV and forward angles including 0° provides a novel method to measure gamma strength functions (GSF) in nuclei in an energy range of about 5 – 20 MeV. The experiments provide not only the E1 but also the M1 part of the GSF. The latter is poorly known in heavy nuclei. Comparison with gamma decay data (e.g. from the Oslo method) allows to test the generalised Brink-Axel (BA) hypothesis in the energy region of the pygmy dipole resonance (PDR) crucial for the modelling of (n,γ) and (γ,n) reactions in astrophysical reaction networks. From the two test cases studied, 208Pb remains inconclusive in the energy region of the PDR because of large Porter-Thomas fluctuations due to the small level density (LD), while the BA hypothesis seems to hold in case of 96Mo. A fluctuation analysis of the high-resolution data also provides a direct measure of the LD in the energy region of the isovector giant dipole resonance (IVGDR) well above the neutron threshold, where hardly any experimental information is available. This permits an independent test of the decomposition of GSF and LD in Oslo-type experiments.

The resonance-like structure observed in the 25Mg(p, γ)26Al reaction

The gamma decay of resonance-like structure (RLS) observed in the 25Mg(p, γ)26Al reaction in the region of excitation energies of 7–9 MeV is studied, and the excitation function of this reaction is measured. The resonance transition strengths of states in the 1.4–2.0 MeV range of accelerated proton energies are determined. The resulting strength distributions of M1 transitions between the resonance states and the low-lying bound states in 26Al are of a resonance nature. The position of the center of gravity of magnetic dipole resonance for the ground state in 26Al is 7.92 MeV, and the total MDR transition strength is 5.7 MeV × μ 2 .

Dissecting multi-photon resonances at the large hadron collider

We examine the phenomenology of the production, at the 13 TeV Large Hadron Collider (LHC), of a heavy resonance X, which decays via other new on-shell particles n into multi-(i.e. three or more) photon final states. In the limit that n has a much smaller mass than X, the multi-photon final state may dominantly appear as a two-photon final state because the gamma s from the n decay are highly collinear and remain unresolved. We discuss how to discriminate this scenario from X rightarrow gamma gamma : rather than discarding non-isolated photons, it is better to relax the isolation criteria and instead form photon jets substructure variables. The spins of X and n leave their imprint upon the distribution of pseudo-rapidity gap Delta eta between the apparent two-photon states. Depending on the total integrated luminosity, this can be used in many cases to claim discrimination between the possible spin choices of X and n, although the case where X and n are both scalar particles cannot be discriminated from the direct X rightarrow gamma gamma decay in this manner. Information on the mass of n can be gained by considering the mass of each photon jet.

Toward a complete theory for predicting inclusive deuteron breakup away from stability

We present an account of the current status of the theoretical treatment of inclusive $(d,p)$ reactions in the breakup-fusion formalism, pointing to some applications and making the connection with current experimental capabilities. Three independent implementations of the reaction formalism have been recently developed, making use of different numerical strategies. The codes also originally relied on two different but equivalent representations, namely the prior (Udagawa-Tamura, UT) and the post (Ichimura-Austern-Vincent, IAV) representations. The different implementations have been benchmarked, and then applied to the Ca isotopic chain. The neutron-Ca propagator is described in the Dispersive Optical Model (DOM) framework, and the interplay between elastic breakup (EB) and non-elastic breakup (NEB) is studied for three Ca isotopes at two different bombarding energies. The accuracy of the description of different reaction observables is assessed by comparing with experimental data of $(d,p)$ on $^{40,48}$Ca. We discuss the predictions of the model for the extreme case of an isotope ($^{60}$Ca) currently unavailable experimentally, though possibly available in future facilities (nominally within production reach at FRIB). We explore the use of $(d,p)$ reactions as surrogates for $(n,\gamma)$ processes, by using the formalism to describe the compound nucleus formation in a $(d,p\gamma)$ reaction as a function of excitation energy, spin, and parity. The subsequent decay is then computed within a Hauser-Feshbach formalism. Comparisons between the $(d,p\gamma)$ and $(n,\gamma)$ induced gamma decay spectra are discussed to inform efforts to infer neutron captures from $(d,p\gamma)$ reactions. Finally, we identify areas of opportunity for future developments, and discuss a possible path toward a predictive reaction theory.

Effect of laser radiation on aqueous solutions of beta-active nuclides

Experimental data are presented on the effect of pulsed laser irradiation of aqueous 234Th, 231Th and 137Cs solutions on the concentrations of the beta-active nuclides in the solutions. Central to the investigation technique used is that the solutions contain nanoparticles resulting from the interaction of laser radiation with a target placed in the cuvette. The concentration of the radionuclides was evaluated before, during and after laser irradiation from the area under gamma-ray lines corresponding to spontaneous gamma decay. The gamma photon energies of 234Th, 231Th and 137Cs are 92, 186 and 661 keV, respectively. It has been shown that laser irradiation reduces the concentration of the three beta-active nuclides without excess gamma-ray emission in the energy range of their spontaneous decay. This is possible if decay follows another mechanism, activated by interaction of laser radiation with the aqueous solutions of the nuclides in the presence of nanoparticles.

Empirical Formulae to Calculate the Half-life of E1 Gamma Transitions for Selected Isotopes

In the present work, the mass number (A), gamma decay energy (E), and half-life(T1/2) of E1 gamma-transitions data taken from the nuclear data centers for theisotopes (22Ti48, 21Sc46, 25Mn56, 26Fe59, 36kr87, 33As81) have been used to findempirical formulae for calculating the half-life (T1/2) of such transitions. Two newestablished empirical formulae combines the gamma transition energies with theasymmetry factor (N-Z)/A in the first formula and the binding energy in the secondformulae. A good agreement has been recorded for the experimental half-life takenfrom ENSDF and ENDF with those evaluated using the established formulae. Inboth cases the calculated half-life was in good agreement with the declaredexperimental data.

Weak interaction physics at ISOLDE

Radioactive nuclei offer unique possibilities to study the structure and symmetries of the weak interaction in nuclear β decay. The large variety of nuclear states available allows selecting the ones that are best suited to study the phenomena of interest with optimal sensitivity, while at the same time minimising the effects of nuclear structure. The ISOLDE facility, offering worldwide the largest variety and intensity of radioactive beams, is one of the best suited laboratories in this respect. Over the last decade or so different aspects of the weak interaction have been studied at ISOLDE, ranging from half-lives, branching ratios and nuclear masses relevant for the determination of the Vud quark-mixing matrix element, over β-asymmetry and correlation measurements searching for possible tensor and/or scalar contributions to the weak interaction, up to a measurement showing the effect of parity violation in the weak interaction in gamma decay. In addition, new projects respectively searching for scalar currents in the β-delayed proton decay of 32Ar, or to determine the Vud quark-mixing matrix element from the β-asymmetry parameter in the mirror decay of 35Ar, have just started.

Comparison of prediction models for Cherenkov light emissions from nuclear fuel assemblies

The Digital Cherenkov Viewing Device (DCVD) [1] is a tool used by nuclear safeguards inspectors to verify irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies in wet storage based on the Cherenkov light produced by the assembly. Verifying that no rods have been substituted in the fuel, so-called partial-defect verification, is done by comparing the intensity measured with a DCVD with a predicted intensity, based on operator fuel declaration. The prediction model currently used by inspectors is based on simulations of Cherenkov light production in a BWR 8x8 geometry. This work investigates prediction models based on simulated Cherenkov light production in a BWR 8x8 and a PWR 17x17 assembly, as well as a simplified model based on a single rod in water. Cherenkov light caused by both fission product gamma and beta decays was considered. The simulations reveal that there are systematic differences between the model used by safeguards inspectors and the models described in this publication, most noticeably with respect to the fuel assembly cooling time. Consequently, if the intensity predictions are based on another fuel type than the fuel type being measured, a systematic bias in intensity with respect to burnup and cooling time is introduced. While a simplified model may be accurate enough for a set of fuel assemblies with nearly identical cooling times, the prediction models may differ systematically by up to 18 % for fuels with more varied cooling times. Accordingly, these investigations indicate that the currently used model may need to be exchanged with a set of more detailed, fuel-type specific models, in order minimize the model dependent systematic deviations.