Pygmy Dipole Response in Samarium isotopes Jivan, H; Pellegri, L; Adsley, P. ...
Journal of physics. Conference series,
09/2023, Letnik:
2586, Številka:
1
Journal Article
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Abstract
The influence of nuclear shape deformation on the Pygmy Dipole Response (PDR) was investigated using (α,α′γ) scattering on
144
Sm and
154
Sm. Experiments were conducted at iThemba LABS, ...coupling for the first time the K600 magnetic spectrometer with the BaGeL (Ball of Germanium and LaBr detectors) array. Preliminary results showcasing the efficacy of the facility and set-up for performing these 0° scattering experiments to investigate the PDR region are presented.
This work is a feasibility study designed to test and develop the (p,p′γ) detection capabilities at iThemba LABS when the K600 magnetic spectrometer at 0° is coupled to an array of high purity ...germanium and cerium-doped lanthanum bromide detectors. This is done through an investigation into the low-lying E1 strength of 58Ni with a proton beam of Ep = 80 MeV. The coincidence matrix of the energies of the excited states and the subsequent γ decays is presented and decays to the first excited state and ground state were identified. The results of this study are compared with previous (α, α′γ) studies.
A method is described to determine the activity of non-pure positron emitters in a radionuclide production environment by assessing the 511keV annihilation radiation concurrently with selected ...γ-lines, using a single High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. Liquid sources of 22Na, 52Fe, 52mMn, 61Cu, 64Cu, 65Zn, 66Ga, 68Ga, 82Rb, 88Y, 89Zr and 132Cs were prepared specifically for this study. Acrylic absorbers surrounding the sources ensured that the emitted β+-particles could not escape and annihilate away from the source region. The absorber thickness was matched to the maximum β+ energy for each radionuclide. The effect on the 511keV detection efficiency by the non-homogeneous distribution of annihilation sites inside the source and absorber materials was investigated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. It was found that no self-absorption corrections other than those implicit to the detector calibration procedure needed to be applied. The medically important radionuclide, 64Cu, is of particular interest as its strongest characteristic γ-ray has an intensity of less than 0.5%. In spite of the weakness of its emission intensity, the 1346keV γ-line is shown to be suitable for quantifying the 64Cu production yield after chemical separation from the target matrix has been performed.
•Activity assessment of non-standard positron emitters by spectrometry of gamma rays and annihilation radiation.•Sources were surrounded by acrylic absorbers to prevent positrons from escaping the source region.•Self-absorption corrections were investigated.•Monte Carlo simulations of sources and detectors were performed.
Knowledge of the low-lying monopole strength in C12—the Hoyle state in particular—is crucial for our understanding of both the astrophysically important 3α reaction and of α-particle clustering. ...Multiple theoretical models have predicted a breathing mode of the Hoyle State at Ex≈9 MeV, corresponding to a radial in-phase oscillation of the underlying α clusters. The C12(α,α′)C12 and C14(p,t)C12 reactions were employed to populate states in 12C in order to search for this predicted breathing mode. A self-consistent, simultaneous analysis of the inclusive spectra with R-matrix lineshapes, together with angular distributions of charged-particle decay, yielded clear evidence for excess monopole strength at Ex≈9 MeV which is highly collective. Reproduction of the experimentally observed inclusive yields using a fit, with consistent population ratios for the various broad states, required an additional source of monopole strength. The interpretation of this additional monopole resonance as the breathing-mode excitation of the Hoyle state would provide evidence supporting a D3h symmetry for the Hoyle state itself. The excess monopole strength may complicate analysis of the properties of the Hoyle state, modifying the temperature dependence of the 3α rate at T9≳2 and ultimately, the predicted nucleosynthesis in explosive stars.
Proton inelastic scattering experiments at energy Ep=200 MeV and a spectrometer scattering angle of 0° were performed on 144,146,148,150Nd and 152Sm exciting the IsoVector Giant Dipole Resonance ...(IVGDR). Comparison with results from photo-absorption experiments reveals a shift of resonance maxima towards higher energies for vibrational and transitional nuclei. The extracted photo-absorption cross sections in the most deformed nuclei, 150Nd and 152Sm, exhibit a pronounced asymmetry rather than a distinct double-hump structure expected as a signature of K-splitting. This behaviour may be related to the proximity of these nuclei to the critical point of the phase shape transition from vibrators to rotors with a soft quadrupole deformation potential. Self-consistent random-phase approximation (RPA) calculations using the SLy6 Skyrme force provide a relevant description of the IVGDR shapes deduced from the present data.
A vertical-beam target station (VBTS) is described to exploit the high-intensity proton beams delivered by the upgraded separated-sector cyclotron of iThemba LABS for the production of longer-lived, ...high value radionuclides such as 22Na, 68Ge and 82Sr. Aspects of the targetry are discussed as well as a beam splitter, which makes it possible to perform radionuclide production bombardments simultaneously in two irradiation vaults. With tandem targets in two stations, four targets can be bombarded simultaneously. The delivery of 66MeV proton beams of higher intensity has been realized by installing fixed frequency, flat-top RF resonators on both the main cyclotron and an injector cyclotron. The increase in beam intensity also required new non-destructive diagnostic components in the relevant high-energy beamlines. An overview is given of the current radionuclide production target stations, their similarities and differences and the role of the VBTS in the production programme.
Spectrometry based on the 511 keV annihilation photopeak requires the positron source to be surrounded by a suitable absorber material. While this method is well established in the literature, ...correction for in-flight annihilation losses from the 511 keV photopeak is often found to be neglected. Application to volume sources, such as typically employed in a radionuclide production environment for yield determination and quality control (QC) purposes, is presented. Source strengths obtained by analyzing the 511 keV photopeak are compared with values obtained from characteristic γ-lines for a selection of non-pure positron emitters. Better overall agreement is obtained when in-flight annihilation loss corrections are explicitly performed.
Several radionuclide production facilities based on a new generation of high-current, 70 MeV H− cyclotrons have been established in recent years and a number of new facilities are either under ...construction or being planned. In this study, the feasibility to produce 225Ac/213Bi and 230U/226Th generators via Th + p reactions at such a facility has been investigated. From the perspective of production yields, it has been found useful to compare the relevant reactions on thorium with those on other targets regularly employed in this energy region, in particular the natMg(p,x)22Na, natGa(p,x)68Ge, and natRb(p,x)82Sr reactions that have been exploited with 66 MeV proton beams at iThemba LABS for many years. Therefore, various tandem configurations of thorium with magnesium, gallium and rubidium are discussed based on the relevant nuclear data. In a few cases, the available data were judged to be insufficient in this energy region. New experimental cross sections are presented for 225Ac, 225Ra, and 230Pa in Th + p reactions as well as 22,24Na in natMg + p reactions. Integral yields have been derived for those radionuclides of main interest. Production yields expected from extended 70 MeV proton bombardments, on selected tandem-target configurations, are presented for 22Na, 68Ge, 82Sr, 225Ac, and 230Pa. It is concluded that 225Ac/213Bi generators can, in principle, be added to a production programme based at a 70 MeV H− cyclotron facility as the production rate is of similar magnitude to those of other well-established radionuclides in this energy region. Also, radio-contaminant levels for 225Ac are similar to those found in higher proton-energy windows. The scope for 230U/226Th generators, via bulk production of the precursor 230Pa, seems to be more limited due to a lower yield but can nevertheless be produced in clinically relevant quantities.
•Tandem targetry containing Th and/or Mg are described for producing several high-value radionuclides with 70 MeV protons.•The main focus is on 225Ac/213Bi and 230U/226Th generator production.•A secondary focus is on 22Na production.•New cross sections are presented for selected radionuclides formed in Th+p and Mg+p reactions.•Integral yields of the relevant radionuclides are presented and compared.
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