High-precision Penning Trap Mass Spectrometry Research Articles

Measurements and computational analysis of the natural decay of Lu176

Background: Mainly because of its long half-life and despite its scientific relevance, spectroscopic measurements of $^{176}\mathrm{Lu}$ forbidden $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decays are very limited and lack formulation of shape factors. A direct precise measurement of its Q value is also presently unreported. In addition, the description of forbidden decays provides interesting challenges for nuclear theory. The comparison of precise experimental results with theoretical calculations for these decays can help to test underlying models and can aid the interpretation of data from other experiments.Purpose: Perform the first precision measurements of $^{176}\mathrm{Lu}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay spectra and attempt the observation of its electron capture decays, as well as perform the first precision direct measurement of the $^{176}\mathrm{Lu}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay Q value. Compare the shape of the precisely determined experimental $\ensuremath{\beta}$ spectra to theoretical calculations, and compare the end point energy to that obtained from an independent Q value measurement.Method: The $^{176}\mathrm{Lu}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay spectra measurements and the search for electron capture decays were performed with an experimental setup that employed lutetium-containing scintillator crystals and a NaI(Tl) spectrometer for coincidence counting. The $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay Q value was determined via high-precision Penning trap mass spectrometry (PTMS) with the LEBIT facility at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The $\ensuremath{\beta}$-spectrum calculations were performed within the Fermi theory formalism with nuclear structure effects calculated using a shell model approach.Results: Both $\ensuremath{\beta}$ transitions of $^{176}\mathrm{Lu}$ were experimentally observed and corresponding shape factors formulated in their entire energy ranges. The search for electron capture decay branches led to an experimental upper limit of $6.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ relative to its $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decays. The $^{176}\mathrm{Lu}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay and electron capture Q values were measured using PTMS to be 1193.0(6) and 108.9(8) keV, respectively. This enabled precise $\ensuremath{\beta}$ end point energies of 596.2(6) and 195.3(6) keV to be determined for the primary and secondary $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decays, respectively. The conserved vector current hypothesis was applied to calculate the relativistic vector matrix elements. The $\ensuremath{\beta}$-spectrum shape was shown to significantly depend on the Coulomb displacement energy and on the value of the axial vector coupling constant ${g}_{A}$, which was extracted according to different assumptions.Conclusion: The implemented self-scintillation method has provided unmatched observations of $^{176}\mathrm{Lu}$, independently validated by the first direct measurements of its $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay Q value by Penning trap mass spectrometry. Theoretical study of the main $\ensuremath{\beta}$ transition led to the extraction of very different effective ${g}_{A}$ and ${log}_{10}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}f$ values, showing that a high-precision description of this transition would require a realistic nuclear structure with nucleus deformation.

High-precision mass measurements of the isomeric and ground states of V44 : Improving constraints on the isobaric multiplet mass equation parameters of the A=44 , 0+ quintet

The Isobaric Multiplet Mass Equation (IMME) has been successful at predicting the masses of isobaric analogue states in the same multiplet, while its coefficients are known to follow trends as functions of mass number. The Atomic Mass Evaluation 2016 [Chin. Phys. C 41, 030003 (2017)] $^{44}$V mass value results in an negative $c$ coefficient for the IMME quadratic term. The $b$ and $c$ coefficients can provide constraints for construction of the isospin-nonconserving (INC) Hamiltonians for the $pf$ shell. The excitation energy of the $0^+, T=2$ level in $^{44}$V is currently unknown and can be used to constrain the $^{44}$Cr mass. The aim of the experiment was to perform high-precision mass measurements to resolve the difference between $^{44}$V isomeric and ground states, to test the IMME, and to provide ingredients for identifying the $0^+$, $T=2$ state in $^{44}$V. High-precision Penning trap mass spectrometry was performed at LEBIT, to measure the cyclotron frequency ratios of [$^{44g,m}$VO]$^+$ versus [$^{32}$SCO]$^+$, a reference mass, to extract both the isomeric and ground state masses of $^{44}$V. The mass excess of the ground and isomeric states in $^{44}$V were measured to be $-23\ 804.9(80)$ keV/$\text{c}^2$ and $-23\ 537.0(55)$ keV/$\text{c}^2$. This yielded a new proton separation energy of $S_p$ = 1\ 773(10) keV. The new mass values of $^{44}$V have been used to deduce the IMME $b$ and $c$ coefficients of the lowest $2^+$ and $6^+$ triplets in $A=44$. The $2^+$ $c$ coefficient is verified with the IMME trend and agrees with the shell-model predictions using charge-dependent Hamiltonians. The mirror energy differences were determined between $^{44}$V and $^{44}$Sc, in line with isospin-symmetry. The new value of the proton separation energy determined will be important for the determination of the $0^+$, $T=2$ state in $^{44}$V and for prediction of the mass of $^{44}$Cr.

Direct determination of the La138β -decay Q value using Penning trap mass spectrometry

Background: The understanding and description of forbidden decays provides interesting challenges for nuclear theory. These calculations could help to test underlying nuclear models and interpret experimental data. Purpose: Compare a direct measurement of the $^{138}$La $\beta$-decay $Q$ value with the $\beta$-decay spectrum end-point energy measured by Quarati et al. using LaBr$_3$ detectors [Appl. Radiat. Isot. 108, 30 (2016)]. Use new precise measurements of the $^{138}$La $\beta$-decay and electron capture (EC) $Q$ values to improve theoretical calculations of the $\beta$-decay spectrum and EC probabilities. Method: High-precision Penning trap mass spectrometry was used to measure cyclotron frequency ratios of $^{138}$La, $^{138}$Ce and $^{138}$Ba ions from which $\beta$-decay and EC $Q$ values for $^{138}$La were obtained. Results: The $^{138}$La $\beta$-decay and EC $Q$ values were measured to be $Q$ = 1052.42(41) keV and $Q_{EC}$ = 1748.41(34) keV, improving the precision compared to the values obtained in the most recent atomic mass evaluation [Wang, et al., Chin. Phys. C 41, 030003 (2017)] by an order of magnitude. These results are used for improved calculations of the $^{138}$La $\beta$-decay shape factor and EC probabilities. New determinations for the $^{138}$Ce 2EC $Q$ value and the atomic masses of $^{138}$La, $^{138}$Ce, and $^{138}$Ba are also reported. Conclusion: The $^{138}$La $\beta$-decay $Q$ value measured by Quarati et al. is in excellent agreement with our new result, which is an order of magnitude more precise. Uncertainties in the shape factor calculations for $^{138}$La beta-decay using our new $Q$ value are reduced by an order of magnitude. Uncertainties in the EC probability ratios are also reduced and show improved agreement with experimental data.

On the keV sterile neutrino search in electron capture

A joint effort of cryogenic microcalorimetry (CM) and high-precision Penning-trap mass spectrometry (PT-MS) in investigating atomic orbital electron capture (EC) can shed light on the possible existence of heavy sterile neutrinos with masses from 0.5 to 100 keV. Sterile neutrinos are expected to perturb the shape of the atomic de-excitation spectrum measured by CM after a capture of the atomic orbital electrons by a nucleus. This effect should be observable in the ratios of the capture probabilities from different orbits. The sensitivity of the ratio values to the contribution of sterile neutrinos strongly depends on how accurately the mass difference between the parent and the daughter nuclides of EC transitions can be measured by, for example, PT-MS. A comparison of such probability ratios in different isotopes of a certain chemical element allows one to exclude many systematic uncertainties, and thus could make feasible a determination of the contribution of sterile neutrinos on a level below 1%. Several electron capture transitions suitable for such measurements are discussed.

Octupolar excitation of ion motion in a Penning trap: A theoretical study

High-precision Penning-trap mass spectrometry uses the resonant conversion of the magnetron motional mode into the cyclotron motional mode to determine the cyclotron frequency of the ions under investigation. Usually the conversion process is performed by interaction of the ions with external quadrupolar rf-fields. Recently it was found that conversion by means of octupolar rf-fields entails a tremendous increase in mass resolution and is thus of great interest. However, the conversion results depend in an intricate way on the amplitudes and phases of the octupolar rf-field and of the motional modes of the ions. Experimental progress was hampered by the lack of an underlying theory of the octupolar conversion process, in particular by the absence of theoretical predictions for the conversion line shape. This paper wants to fill this gap.Supported by quantum mechanical arguments the effective interaction responsible for the interconversion of the radial motional modes is identified and a Hamiltonian description of the conversion process is given. Unfortunately the equations of motion are highly non-linear and defy a simple solution. Here the concept of the Bloch vector operator, previously used with advantage to provide a theoretical basis for the two-pulse Ramsey technique for excitation by quadrupolar rf-fields, comes to help again. The expectation value of the 3-component of the Bloch vector is directly related to the “degree of conversion” which is the quantity that is measured in ion-cyclotron-resonance time-of-flight (ToF-ICR) experiments. A reformulation of the Hamiltonian description of the conversion process in terms of the normalized Bloch vector leads to a system of differential equations that are still non-linear, but are solvable in terms of Jacobi elliptic functions. The derivation of these equations reveals the complicated dependence of the conversion results on the amplitude and phase of the octupolar rf-field and on the starting parameters of the ion motion.In the second part of the paper numerical solutions of the differential equations are used to obtain excitation functions (conversion at the exact resonance frequency) as a function of a time-like evolution parameter and conversion line shapes (conversion at a fixed value of the evolution parameter) as functions of the detuning of the octupolar rf-field. These studies demonstrate the strong dependence of the conversion results on the initial phases of the octupolar field and the cyclotron and magnetron motional modes. For closer comparison with experimental data we can average over the unobserved phases. Moreover we observe an important influence of the initial cyclotron radius of the ion motion on the outcome of the conversion process.

LEBIT II: Upgrades and developments for high precision Penning trap mass measurements with rare isotopes

During the next several years and decades the extension of high-precision Penning trap mass spectrometry measurements to more-exotic isotopes, lying far from the valley of stability will continue to provide significant contributions to nuclear physics. However, such measurements must overcome the challenges of working with isotopes that have low production rates and short lifetimes. At the Low Energy Beam and Ion Trap (LEBIT) facility at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, a number of developments have been implemented or are underway to meet these challenges by minimizing rare-isotope preparation and measurement time, maximizing use of available beam time, and increasing sensitivity. These developments and the current status of the LEBIT facility will be discussed.

Penning trap mass spectrometry of rare isotopes produced via projectile fragmentation at the LEBIT facility

The low-energy beam and ion trap facility, LEBIT, has been used to perform high-precision Penning trap mass spectrometry using rare isotopes produced by fast-beam fragmentation. Gas stopping of the fast-fragment beams and advanced ion manipulation techniques are used to produce brilliant, low-energy beams for this type of measurement. The unique combination of fast, high-precision mass spectrometry with the reach beyond the valley of beta stability afforded by projectile fragmentation has made measurements possible that could not be performed at other facilities.

Search for resonant enhancement of neutrinoless double-electron capture by high-precision Penning-trap mass spectrometry

The search for neutrinoless double-electron capture can be a good alternative to the neutrinoless double-beta-decay experiments in shedding light on such aspects of neutrino physics as the neutrino type, non-conservation of the total lepton charge and magnitude of the effective Majorana neutrino mass. The probability of neutrinoless double-electron capture can be resonantly enhanced by some orders of magnitude. Although the phenomenon of the resonant enhancement was predicted some decades ago, the search for resonantly enhanced neutrinoless double-electron-capture transitions was hampered by a lack of precise experimental values of the atomic mass differences of the transition initial and final states. Only recent progress in high-precision Penning-trap mass spectrometry has finally provided suitable means for a determination of atomic masses with a sufficient precision and thus given rise to the experimental campaign for a search for resonantly enhanced transitions. In this article, after an introduction to the theory of neutrinoless double-electron capture and the Penning-trap technique, a review is given on the results of systematic very precise direct Penning-trap measurements of the atomic mass differences of the nuclides which can undergo double-electron capture. The mass differences of 14 nuclear pairs have already been determined with a typical uncertainty of tens to a few hundreds of eV. Partial or even full resonant enhancement of the neutrinoless double-electron-capture probability has been discovered for 152Gd and 156Dy. In 156Dy a multiple resonance phenomenon has been revealed. For some transitions the half-lives have been estimated (152Gd, 164Er, 180W, 156Dy).

Direct mass measurements of 194Hg and 194Au: A new route to the neutrino mass determination?

The study of nuclear electron capture (EC) offers an exciting alternative for the determination of the neutrino mass. Whereas only tritium and 187Re can be used in the case of β-decay experiments involving the anti-neutrino, a potentially large number of EC-nuclides can be used in experiments involving the monochromatic neutrino. This alternative to β-decay experiments requires an accurate measurement of QEC-values of appropriate candidates. In the present work we initiate a search for such a candidate and determined the QEC-value of the electron capture in 194Hg by direct mass measurements of 194Hg and 194Au. The new QEC-value of 29(4) keV determined by the ISOLTRAP Penning-trap mass spectrometer at ISOLDE/CERN forbids the K-capture for 194Hg. However, it allows a determination of the neutrino mass by a combination of a micro-calorimetric measurement of the de-excitation spectrum from L-capture in 194Hg and a comparable QEC-value remeasurement by high-precision Penning trap mass spectrometry.

Electric and magnetic field optimization procedure for Penning trap mass spectrometers

Significant systematic errors in high-precision Penning trap mass spectrometry can result from electric- and magnetic-field imperfections. An experimental procedure to minimize these uncertainties is presented for the on-line Penning trap mass spectrometer ISOLTRAP, located at ISOLDE/CERN. The deviations from the ideal magnetic and electric fields are probed by measuring the cyclotron frequency and the reduced cyclotron frequency, respectively, of stored ions as a function of the time between the ejection of ions from the preparation trap and their capture in the precision trap, which influences the energy of their axial motion. The correction parameters are adjusted to minimize the frequency shifts.

Ramsey Method of Separated Oscillatory Fields for High-Precision Penning Trap Mass Spectrometry

Ramsey's method of separated oscillatory fields is applied to the excitation of the cyclotron motion of short-lived ions in a Penning trap to improve the precision of their measured mass values. The theoretical description of the extracted ion-cyclotron-resonance line shape is derived and its correctness demonstrated experimentally by measuring the mass of the short-lived 38Ca nuclide with an uncertainty of 1.1 x 10(-8) using the Penning trap mass spectrometer ISOLTRAP at CERN. The mass of the superallowed beta emitter 38Ca contributes for testing the theoretical corrections of the conserved-vector-current hypothesis of the electroweak interaction. It is shown that the Ramsey method applied to Penning trap mass measurements yields a statistical uncertainty similar to that obtained by the conventional technique but 10 times faster. Thus the technique is a new powerful tool for high-precision mass measurements.