In this paper, we report on the scintillation properties and pulse shape discrimination (PSD) performance of new plastic scintillators, EJ-276 and EJ-276G . Cylindrical samples with dimensions of 1×1 ...inch and 2×2 inches were tested. Additionally, four samples 2×2 inches in size were used in stack configurations in order to measure the PSD characteristics of large samples (up to 2×8 inches). The paper covers the measurements of neutron/gamma discrimination, emission spectra, photoelectron yield, and analysis of the light pulse shapes originating from events related to gamma-rays and fast neutrons. The results were compared to data recorded previously using plastic scintillators EJ-299-33, EJ-299-33G, EJ-299-34, EJ-299-34G, and an EJ-301 liquid scintillator.
The low-lying structures of the midshell νg9/2 Ni isotopes 72Ni and 74Ni have been investigated at the RIBF facility in RIKEN within the EURICA collaboration. Previously unobserved low-lying states ...were accessed for the first time following β decay of the mother nuclei 72Co and 74Co. As a result, we provide a complete picture in terms of the seniority scheme up to the first (8+) levels for both nuclei. The experimental results are compared to shell-model calculations in order to define to what extent the seniority quantum number is preserved in the first neutron g9/2 shell. We find that the disappearance of the seniority isomerism in the (81+) states can be explained by a lowering of the seniority-four (6+) levels as predicted years ago. For 74Ni, the internal de-excitation pattern of the newly observed (62+) state supports a restoration of the normal seniority ordering up to spin J=4. This property, unexplained by the shell-model calculations, is in agreement with a dominance of the single-particle spherical regime near 78Ni.
Lifetimes of low-lying excited states in the νi13/2+ bands of the neutron-deficient osmium isotopes 169,171,173Os have been measured for the first time using the recoil-distance Doppler shift and ...recoil-isomer tagging techniques. An unusually low value is observed for the ratio B(E2;21/2+→17/2+)/B(E2;17/2+→13/2+) in 169Os, similar to the “anomalously” low values of the ratio B(E2;41+→21+)/B(E2;21+→0gs+) previously observed in several transitional rare-earth nuclides with even numbers of neutrons and protons, including the neighbouring 168,170Os. Furthermore, the evolution of B(E2;21/2+→17/2+)/B(E2;17/2+→13/2+) with increasing neutron number in the odd-mass isotopic chain 169,171,173Os is observed to follow the same trend as observed previously in the even-even Os isotopes. These findings indicate that the possible quantum phase transition from a seniority conserving structure to a collective regime as a function of neutron number suggested for the even-even systems is maintained in these odd-mass osmium nuclei, with the odd valence neutron merely acting as a “spectator”. As for the even-even nuclei, the phenomenon is highly unexpected for nuclei that are not situated near closed shells.
Lifetimes of the first excited 2þ and 4þ states in the extremely neutron-deficient nuclide 172Pt have been measured for the first time using the recoil-distance Doppler shift and recoil-decay tagging ...techniques. An unusually low value of the ratio BðE2∶4þ 1 → 2þ 1 Þ=BðE2∶2þ 1 → 0þ gsÞ ¼ 0.55ð19Þ was found, similar to a handful of other such anomalous cases observed in the entire Segr´e chart. The observation adds to a cluster of a few extremely neutron-deficient nuclides of the heavy transition metals with neutron numbers N ≈ 90–94 featuring the effect. No theoretical model calculations reported to date have been able to explain the anomalously low BðE2∶4þ 1 → 2þ 1 Þ=BðE2∶2þ 1 → 0þ gsÞ ratios observed in these cases. Such low values cannot, e.g., be explained within the framework of the geometrical collective model or by algebraic approaches within the interacting boson model framework. It is proposed that the group of BðE2∶4þ 1 → 2þ 1 Þ=BðE2∶2þ 1 → 0þ gs) ratios in the extremely neutron-deficient even-even W, Os, and Pt nuclei around neutron numbers N ≈ 90–94 reveal a quantum phase transition from a seniority-conserving structure to a collective regime as a function of neutron number. Although a system governed by seniority symmetry is the only theoretical framework for which such an effect may naturally occur, the phenomenon is highly unexpected for these nuclei that are not situated near closed shells.
In this paper, five detectors (EJ-270 — single plastic scintillator, EJ-309B5 — single liquid scintillator, and 3 phoswich detectors: EJ-276+GS20, GS20+EJ-276, EJ-309+GS20) were studied in terms of ...simultaneous detection of gamma-rays and slow and fast neutrons. The measurements were carried out in a mixed field of neutron and gamma radiation from an intense (∼106 neutrons/s/4π) PuBe source. The PuBe neutron source was placed in an 18 cm diameter paraffin ball in order to increase the number of slow neutron detections. This paper covers the measurements of the neutron/gamma discrimination, photoelectron yield and analysis of the light pulse shapes originating from events related to gamma-rays, slow neutrons and fast neutrons. Sensitivity to slow neutrons is also briefly discussed. A comparison of n/γ discrimination for all of the tested detectors shows excellent performance of all phoswich detectors. Phoswich configurations tested within the scope of this study allow unambiguously resolve all three types of radiation and show superior performance in comparison with single loaded plastic or liquid scintillators.
Using the high-resolution performance of the fragment separator FRS at GSI we have discovered 60 new neutron-rich isotopes in the atomic number range of 60 <= Z <= 78 . The new isotopes were ...unambiguously identified in reactions with a U 238 beam impinging on a Be target at 1 GeV/nucleon. The production cross-section for the new isotopes have been measured down to the pico-barn level and compared with predictions of different model calculations. For elements above hafnium fragmentation is the dominant reaction mechanism which creates the new isotopes, whereas fission plays a dominant role for the production of the new isotopes up to thulium.
Conceptual design of the AGATA 1π array at GANIL Clément, E.; Michelagnoli, C.; de France, G. ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
05/2017, Letnik:
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Journal Article
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The Advanced GAmma Tracking Array (AGATA) has been installed at the GANIL facility, Caen-France. This set-up exploits the stable and radioactive heavy-ions beams delivered by the cyclotron ...accelerator complex of GANIL. Additionally, it benefits from a large palette of ancillary detectors and spectrometers to address in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy of exotic nuclei. The set-up has been designed to couple AGATA with a magnetic spectrometer, charged-particle and neutron detectors, scintillators for the detection of high-energy γ rays and other devices such as a plunger to measure nuclear lifetimes. In this paper, the design and the mechanical characteristics of the set-up are described. Based on simulations, expected performances of the AGATA 1π array are presented.
Classical novae are thermonuclear explosions in stellar binary systems, and important sources of $^{26}$Al and $^{22}$Na. While γ rays from the decay of the former radioisotope have been observed ...through-out the Galaxy, $^{22}$Na remains untraceable. The half-life of $^{22}$Na (2.6 yr) would allow the observation of its 1.275 MeV γ-ray line from a cosmic source. However, the prediction of such an observation requires good knowledge of the nuclear reactions involved in the production and destruction of this nucleus. The $^{22}$Na(p, γ)$^{23}$Mg reaction remains the only source of large uncertainty about the amount of $^{22}$Na ejected. Its rate is dominated by a single reso- nance on the short-lived state at 7785.0(7) keV in $^{23}$Mg. In the present work, a combined analysis of particle-particle correlations and velocity-difference profiles is proposed to measure femtosecond nuclear lifetimes. The application of this novel method to the study of the $^{23}$Mg states, combining magnetic and highly-segmented tracking γ -ray spectrometers, places strong limits on the amount of $^{22}$Na produced in novae, explains its non-observation to date in γ rays (flux < 2.5×10$^{-4}$ ph.cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$), and constrains its detectability with future space-borne observatories.
The low-lying energy spectrum of the extremely neutron-deficient self-conjugate (N = Z) nuclide 88Ru has been measured using the combination of the Advanced Gamma Tracking Array (AGATA)spectrometer, ...the NEDA, and Neutron Wall neutron detector arrays, and the DIAMANT charged particle detector array. Excited states in 88 Ru were populated via the 54 Feð 36 Ar; 2nγÞ 88 Ru fusion-evaporationreaction at the Grand Accélérateur National d’Ions Lourds (GANIL) accelerator complex. The observed γ-ray cascade is assigned to 88 Ru using clean prompt γ-γ-2-neutron coincidences in anticoincidence with the detection of charged particles, confirming and extending the previously assigned sequence of low-lying excited states. It is consistent with a moderately deformed rotating system exhibiting a band crossing at a rotational frequency that is significantly higher than standard theoretical predictions with isovector pairing, as well as observations in neighboring N > Z nuclides. The direct observation of such a “delayed” rotational alignment in a deformed N 1⁄4 Z nucleus is in agreement with theoretical predictions related to the presence of strong isoscalar neutron-proton pair correlations.
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