Yield Of Deuterons Research Articles

Crater formation and deuterium production in laser irradiation of polymers with implanted nano-antennas.

Recent validation experiments on laser irradiation of polymer foils with and without implanted golden nanoparticles are discussed. First we analyze characteristics of craters, formed in the target after its interaction with the laser beam. Preliminary experimental results show significant production of deuterons when both the energy of laser pulse and concentration of nanoparticles are high enough. We consider the deuteron production via the nuclear transmutation reactions p+C→d+X where protons are accelerated by the Coulomb field generated in the target plasma. We argue that maximal proton energy can be above threshold values for these reactions and the deuteron yield may noticeably increase due to presence of nanoparticles.

Role of bulk viscosity in deuteron production in ultrarelativistic nuclear collisions

We use a Bayesian-calibrated multistage viscous hydrodynamic model to explore deuteron yield, mean transverse momentum and flow observables in Pb-Pb collisions at the Large Hadron Collider. We explore theoretical uncertainty in the production of deuterons, including (i) the contribution of thermal deuterons, (ii) models for the subsequent formation of deuterons (hadronic transport vs coalescence), and (iii) the overall sensitivity of the results to the hydrodynamic model, in particular to bulk viscosity, which is often neglected in studies of deuteron production. Using physical parameters set by a comparison to only light hadron observables, we find good agreement with measurements of the mean transverse momentum 〈pT〉 and elliptic flow v2 of deuterons; however, tension is observed with experimental data for the deuteron multiplicity in central collisions. The results are found to be sensitive to each of the mentioned theoretical uncertainties, with a particular sensitivity to bulk viscosity, indicating that the latter is an important ingredient for an accurate treatment of deuteron production.1 MoreReceived 26 March 2022Accepted 7 October 2022DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.106.064901Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI. Funded by SCOAP3.Published by the American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasCollective flowParticle & resonance productionParticle correlations & fluctuationsQuark-gluon plasmaRelativistic heavy-ion collisionsThermal & statistical modelsTechniquesBayesian methodsNuclear PhysicsParticles & Fields

Multiplicity scaling of light nuclei production in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

Using the nucleon coalescence model based on kinetic freeze-out nucleons from the 3D MUSIC+UrQMD and the 2D VISHNU hybrid model with a crossover equation of state, we study the multiplicity dependence of deuteron (d) and triton (t) production from central to peripheral Au+Au collisions at sNN= 7.7, 14.5, 19.6, 27, 39, 62.4 and 200 GeV and Pb+Pb at sNN=2.76 TeV, respectively. It is found that the ratio NtNp/Nd2 of the proton yield Np, deuteron yield Nd and triton yield Nt exhibits a scaling behavior in its multiplicity dependence, i.e., decreasing monotonically with increasing charged-particle multiplicity. A similar multiplicity scaling of this ratio is also found in the nucleon coalescence calculation based on kinetic freeze-out nucleons from a multiphase transport (AMPT) model. The scaling behavior of NtNp/Nd2 can be naturally explained by the interplay between the sizes of light nuclei and the nucleon emission source. We further argue that the multiplicity scaling of NtNp/Nd2 can be used to validate the production mechanism of light nuclei, and the collision energy dependence of this yield ratio can further serve as a baseline in the search for the QCD critical point in relativistic heavy-ion collisions.

Jet-associated deuteron production in pp collisions at [formula omitted] TeV

Deuteron production in high-energy collisions is sensitive to the space–time evolution of the collision system, and is typically described by a coalescence mechanism. For the first time, we present results on jet-associated deuteron production in pp collisions at s=13 TeV, providing an opportunity to test the established picture for deuteron production in events with a hard scattering. Using a trigger particle with high transverse-momentum (pT>5 GeV/c) as a proxy for the presence of a jet at midrapidity, we observe a measurable population of deuterons being produced around the jet proxy. The associated deuteron yield measured in a narrow angular range around the trigger particle differs by 2.4–4.8 standard deviations from the uncorrelated background. The data are described by PYTHIA model calculations featuring baryon coalescence.

(Anti-)deuteron production in pp collisions at sqrt{s}=13 text {TeV}

The study of (anti-)deuteron production in pp collisions has proven to be a powerful tool to investigate the formation mechanism of loosely bound states in high-energy hadronic collisions. In this paper the production of text {(anti-)deuterons} is studied as a function of the charged particle multiplicity in inelastic pp collisions at sqrt{s}=13 TeV using the ALICE experiment. Thanks to the large number of accumulated minimum bias events, it has been possible to measure (anti-)deuteron production in pp collisions up to the same charged particle multiplicity ({mathrm {d} N_{ch}/mathrm {d} eta } sim 26) as measured in p–Pb collisions at similar centre-of-mass energies. Within the uncertainties, the deuteron yield in pp collisions resembles the one in p–Pb interactions, suggesting a common formation mechanism behind the production of light nuclei in hadronic interactions. In this context the measurements are compared with the expectations of coalescence and statistical hadronisation models (SHM).

Feeddown contributions from unstable nuclei in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

We estimate the feeddown contributions from decays of unstable A=4 and A=5 nuclei to the final yields of protons, deuterons, tritons, 3He, and 4He produced in relativistic heavy-ion collisions at sNN>2.4 GeV, using the statistical model. The feeddown contribution effects do not exceed 5% at LHC and top RHIC energies due to the large penalty factors involved, but are substantial at intermediate collision energies. We observe large feeddown contributions for tritons, 3He, and 4He at sNN≲10 GeV, where they may account for as much as 70% of the final yield at the lower end of the collision energies considered. Sizable (>10%) effects for deuteron yields are observed at sNN≲4 GeV. The results suggest that the excited nuclei feeddown cannot be neglected in the ongoing and future analysis of light nuclei production at intermediate collision energies, including HADES and CBM experiments at FAIR, NICA at JINR, RHIC beam energy scan and fixed-target programmes, and NA61/SHINE at CERN. We further show that the freeze-out curve in the T-μB plane itself is affected significantly by the light nuclei at high baryochemical potential.

Multiplicity dependence of light (anti-)nuclei production in p–Pb collisions at [formula omitted] TeV

The measurement of the deuteron and anti-deuteron production in the rapidity range −1<y<0 as a function of transverse momentum and event multiplicity in p–Pb collisions at sNN = 5.02 TeV is presented. (Anti-)deuterons are identified via their specific energy loss dE/dx and via their time-of-flight. Their production in p–Pb collisions is compared to pp and Pb–Pb collisions and is discussed within the context of thermal and coalescence models. The ratio of integrated yields of deuterons to protons (d/p) shows a significant increase as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity of the event starting from values similar to those observed in pp collisions at low multiplicities and approaching those observed in Pb–Pb collisions at high multiplicities. The mean transverse particle momenta are extracted from the deuteron spectra and the values are similar to those obtained for p and Λ particles. Thus, deuteron spectra do not follow mass ordering. This behaviour is in contrast to the trend observed for non-composite particles in p–Pb collisions. In addition, the production of the rare He3 and He‾3 nuclei has been studied. The spectrum corresponding to all non-single diffractive p-Pb collisions is obtained in the rapidity window −1<y<0 and the pT-integrated yield dN/dy is extracted. It is found that the yields of protons, deuterons, and He3, normalised by the spin degeneracy factor, follow an exponential decrease with mass number.

Beam energy dependence of (anti-)deuteron production in Au + Au collisions at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider

We report the energy dependence of mid-rapidity (anti-)deuteron production in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_\text{NN}} =\ $7.7, 11.5, 14.5, 19.6, 27, 39, 62.4, and 200 GeV, measured by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The yield of deuterons is found to be well described by the thermal model. The collision energy, centrality, and transverse momentum dependence of the coalescence parameter $B_2$ are discussed. We find that the values of $B_2$ for anti-deuterons are systematically lower than those for deuterons, indicating that the correlation volume of anti-baryons is larger than that of baryons at $\sqrt{s_\text{NN}}$ from 19.6 to 39 GeV. In addition, values of $B_2$ are found to vary with collision energy and show a broad minimum around $\sqrt{s_\text{NN}}=\ $20 to 40 GeV, which might imply a change of the equation of state of the medium in these collisions.

Multiplicity dependence of (anti-)deuteron production in pp collisions at [formula omitted

In this letter, the production of deuterons and anti-deuterons in pp collisions at s=7 TeV is studied as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity density at mid-rapidity with the ALICE detector at the LHC. Production yields are measured at mid-rapidity in five multiplicity classes and as a function of the deuteron transverse momentum (pT). The measurements are discussed in the context of hadron–coalescence models. The coalescence parameter B2, extracted from the measured spectra of (anti-)deuterons and primary (anti-)protons, exhibits no significant pT-dependence for pT<3GeV/c, in agreement with the expectations of a simple coalescence picture. At fixed transverse momentum per nucleon, the B2 parameter is found to decrease smoothly from low multiplicity pp to Pb–Pb collisions, in qualitative agreement with more elaborate coalescence models. The measured mean transverse momentum of (anti-)deuterons in pp is not reproduced by the Blast-Wave model calculations that simultaneously describe pion, kaon and proton spectra, in contrast to central Pb–Pb collisions. The ratio between the pT-integrated yield of deuterons to protons, d/p, is found to increase with the charged-particle multiplicity, as observed in inelastic pp collisions at different centre-of-mass energies. The d/p ratios are reported in a wide range, from the lowest to the highest multiplicity values measured in pp collisions at the LHC.

Microscopic study of deuteron production in PbPb collisions at s=2.76TeV via hydrodynamics and a hadronic afterburner

The deuteron yield in Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 2.76$ TeV is consistent with thermal production at a freeze-out temperature of $T = 155$ MeV. The existence of deuterons with binding energy of 2.2 MeV at this temperature was described as "snowballs in hell". We provide a microscopic explanation of this phenomenon, utilizing relativistic hydrodynamics and switching to a hadronic afterburner at the above mentioned temperature of $T = 155$ MeV. The measured deuteron $p_T$-spectra and coalescence parameter $B_2(p_T)$ are reproduced without free parameters, only by implementing experimentally known cross-sections of deuteron reactions with hadrons, most importantly $\pi d \leftrightarrow \pi n p$.

Cluster formation in relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions

An event generator for exclusive simulation of nucleus-nucleus collisions based on quantum molecular dynamics is developed. A comparison of the results obtained using this event generator with earlier measurements show that the yields of pions, kaons, antiprotons, deuterons, and nuclear fragments in the collisions of various nuclei pair such as Si-Al and Pb-Pb in the energy range of a few to $100A$ GeV are predicted successfully. The Lorentz-covariant description of nucleon-nucleon interactions plays a critical role in reproducing fragment yields in peripheral collisions. Secondary meson yields from nucleus-nucleus collisions are well reproduced by incorporating the production and decay of resonances of up to 2 GeV/${c}^{2}$ and strings. This model can therefore be used for analysis and planning of high-energy particle physics experiments, prediction of cosmic ray transport, and shielding design of high-energy heavy-ion accelerators.

Production of deuterons, tritons, He3 nuclei, and their antinuclei in pp collisions at s=0.9 , 2.76, and 7 TeV

Invariant differential yields of deuterons and anti-deuterons in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 0.9, 2.76 and 7 TeV and the yields of tritons, $^{3}$He nuclei and their anti-nuclei at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV have been measured with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The measurements cover a wide transverse momentum ($p_{\text{T}}$) range in the rapidity interval $|y|<0.5$, extending both the energy and the $p_{\text{T}}$ reach of previous measurements up to 3 GeV/$c$ for $A=2$ and 6 GeV/$c$ for $A=3$. The coalescence parameters of (anti-)deuterons and $^{3}\overline{\text{He}}$ nuclei exhibit an increasing trend with $p_{\text{T}}$ and are found to be compatible with measurements in pA collisions at low $p_{\text{T}}$ and lower energies. The integrated yields decrease by a factor of about 1000 for each increase of the mass number with one (anti-)nucleon. Furthermore, the deuteron-to-proton ratio is reported as a function of the average charged particle multiplicity at different center-of-mass energies.

A liquid hydrocarbon deuteron source for neutron generators

Experimental studies of a deuteron spark source for neutron generators using hydrogen isotope fusion reactions are reported. The ion source uses a spark discharge between electrodes coated with a deuterated hydrocarbon liquid, here Santovac 5, to inhibit permanent electrode erosion and extend the lifetime of high-output neutron generator spark ion sources. Thompson parabola mass spectra show that principally hydrogen and deuterium ions are extracted from the ion source. Hydrogen is the chief residual gas phase species produced due to source operation in a stainless-steel vacuum chamber. The prominent features of the optical emission spectra of the discharge are C+ lines, the hydrogen Balmer Hα-line, and the C2 Swan bands. Operation of the ion source was studied in a conventional laboratory neutron generator. The source delivered an average deuteron current of ∼0.5 A nominal to the target in a 5 μs duration pulse at 1 Hz with target voltages of −80 to −100 kV. The thickness of the hydrocarbon liquid in the spark gap and the consistency thereof from spark to spark influences the deuteron yield and plays a role in determining the beam-focusing characteristics through the applied voltage necessary to break down the spark gap. Higher breakdown voltages result in larger ion beam spots on the target and vice-versa. Because the liquid self-heals and thereby inhibits permanent electrode erosion, the liquid-based source provides long life, with 104 pulses to date, and without clear evidence that, in principle, the lifetime could not be much longer. Initial experiments suggest that an alternative cylindrical target-type generator design can extract approximately 10 times the deuteron current from the source. Preliminary data using the deuterated source liquid as a neutron-producing target are also presented.

Formation of primary particles in stopped pion absorption reactions

The results from analyzing the yields of protons (p), deuterons (d), and tritons (t) formed in the absorption of stopped π– mesons by intranuclear clusters are presented. The contributions from cluster absorption to the production of hydrogen isotopes in stopped pion absorption reactions are determined. Phenomenological formulas are proposed for describing the mass number (A) dependences of the yields of the primary protons with ∼15% precision in the mass number range of 6 < A < 209 (and of the primary deuterons and tritons in the mass number range of 59 < A < 209). Evidence is observed of the constancy of the ratio between the elemental absorption widths for the absorption of pions by pp and pn pairs over the investigated range of mass numbers.

Formation of hydrogen isotopes in reactions of stopped pion absorption

Results are presented from analyzing the yields of protons (p), deuterons (d), and tritons (t) in pre-equilibrium stopped pion absorption reactions. Phenomenological formulas are proposed for describing the mass-number (A) dependences of these yields accurate to within 10–20% in the mass-number range of 6 < A < 209 (59 < A < 209 for t). The final results do not contradict the hypothesis that the predominant role in the formation of deuterons and tritons is played by pick-up on the surface of nuclei.

Interaction of 32-GeV positrons with photoemulsion nuclei

An analysis of evaporated particles originating from the interaction of 32-GeV positrons with photoemulsion nuclei was performed. The yields of protons, deuterons, tritons, and alpha particles were measured, and the results were compared with evaporation-theory predictions. The energy spectra of protons, deuterons, and tritons agree with a Maxwellian distribution. The excitation energy of photoemulsion nuclei complies with the theoretical estimate for the emission of these particles from the equilibrium state.

A-dependence of the yield of deuterons emitted during the absorption of stopped pions

Experimental results on the spectra and yields of deuterons forming in the absorption reaction of stopped π− mesons by nuclei are presented. The A-dependences of deuteron yields are found. Contributions from various processes to the formation of deuterons are evaluated in the context of a proposed phenomenological model.

Deuteron induced secondary electron emission from titanium deuteride surface

The secondary electron yield from titanium deuteride surface induced by deuterons was measured in the 80–254keV energy range using a quotient method. The clean surface was produced by removing the oxide layers and absorbed gases on the titanium deuteride target by self-sputtering with deuterons. The maximum value of the secondary electron yield is about 1.37 at 143keV. The secondary electron yield of deuterons in titanium deuteride was compared with the yield of deuterons in Ti, measured in the current study, and with the yield of protons in Ti, measured by Hasselkamp et al. in 1990: values were found to be similar when comparing ions with the same velocity. This suggests the weak influence of the deuteriding process on secondary electron emission. The relation between secondary electron yield and electronic stopping power of deuterons in titanium deuteride was also discussed, with an expansion of the theory of Sternglass. From the results the partition factor B is a little larger than 0.5, which may be related to the derivation from the equipartition rule near the stopping power maximum or to the cascade process which is neglected in the theory of Sternglass.

Development of a plasma generator for a long pulse ion source for neutral beam injectors

A plasma generator for a long pulse H(+)/D(+) ion source has been developed. The plasma generator was designed to produce 65 A H(+)/D(+) beams at an energy of 120 keV from an ion extraction area of 12 cm in width and 45 cm in length. Configuration of the plasma generator is a multi-cusp bucket type with SmCo permanent magnets. Dimension of a plasma chamber is 25 cm in width, 59 cm in length, and 32.5 cm in depth. The plasma generator was designed and fabricated at Japan Atomic Energy Agency. Source plasma generation and beam extraction tests for hydrogen coupling with an accelerator of the KSTAR ion source have been performed at the KSTAR neutral beam test stand under the agreement of Japan-Korea collaborative experiment. Spatial uniformity of the source plasma at the extraction region was measured using Langmuir probes and ±7% of the deviation from an averaged ion saturation current density was obtained. A long pulse test of the plasma generation up to 200 s with an arc discharge power of 70 kW has been successfully demonstrated. The arc discharge power satisfies the requirement of the beam production for the KSTAR NBI. A 70 keV, 41 A, 5 s hydrogen ion beam has been extracted with a high arc efficiency of 0.9 -1.1 A/kW at a beam extraction experiment. A deuteron yield of 77% was measured even at a low beam current density of 73 mA/cm(2).

Laser-ion acceleration through controlled surface contamination

In laser-plasma ion accelerators, control of target contamination layers can lead to selection of accelerated ion species and enhancement of acceleration. To demonstrate this, deuterons up to 75 keV are accelerated from an intense laser interaction with a glass target simply by placing 1 ml of heavy water inside the experimental chamber prior to pumping to generate a deuterated contamination layer on the target. Using the same technique with a deuterated-polystyrene-coated target also enhances deuteron yield by a factor of 3 to 5, while increasing the maximum energy of the generated deuterons to 140 keV.