Neutron production in extended Cu-target irradiated with relativistic C-ions at Dubna, as studied with SSNTD and nuclear chemistry

An extended Cu-target was irradiated with 22 and 44 GeV carbon ions. The target was in contact with a (CH₂)_n-block for the moderation of secondary neutrons. Small holes in the moderator were filled with either lanthanium salts or uranium oxide. The reaction ¹³⁹La (n,γ) ¹⁴⁰La was studied via the decay of ¹⁴⁰La (40 h), and the reaction ²³⁸U (n, γ) ²³⁹U ²³⁹Np was studied via the decay of ²³⁹Np (2.3 d). In addition, a variety of solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD) were used. Results will be presented. The yields for the formation of (n, γ) products agree essentially with other experiments on extended targets carried out at the Synchrophasotron LHE, JINR (Dubna). To a first approximation, the breeding rate of (n, γ) products, as well as the specific track density, seen with several SSNTDs, doubles when the carbon energy is increased from 22 to 44 GeV. If, however, results at 44 GeV are compared in detail to those at 22 GeV, we observe an excess of (37 ± 9) % in the experimentally observed ²³⁹Np-breeding rate over theoretical estimations. Experiments using solid state nuclear track detectors are giving similar results. We also observed in the past such excess in the yield of other secondary particles in relativistic heavy ion interactions above a total energy of approximately 35–40 GeV.     

Some contributions from SSNTD towards nuclear science: from multifragmentation towards accelerator driven systems (ADS)

Three examples are chosen to show the importance of SSNTD as one of the essential tools in nuclear science:

(1) Multifragmentation into more than two heavy reaction products: Starting with the observation of three heavy reaction products in the interaction of relativistic protons or 414 MeV ⁴⁰Ar with actinides in the early 1960s, up to the observation of five heavy reaction products in the interaction of 2400 MeV ²³⁸U with uranium, SSNTD had a leading role in this research.

(2) In the search for superheavy elements (SHE: Z around 114): Many different techniques are used. However, SSNTD are exclusively decisive in the possible observation of SHE within the heavy element component of galactic cosmic rays.

(3) Accelerator driven systems: They are increasingly important in the discussion of energy producing nuclear power stations and in the corresponding ability to transmute long-lived poisonous radioactive materials (above all plutonium) into shorter lived fission fragments or stable nuclides. SSNTDs play an important role in the determination of the energy dependent neutron fluence in small volumes (≈cm³) or in the exact beam profile determinations of the primary proton beams.

This contribution ends with an outlook into possible future fields of physics research: With the advent of a new generation of relativistic heavy ion accelerators, such as the NUCLOTRON at the JINR in Dubna, Russia, and RHIC in Brookhaven in the United States, one can continue to study (and finally confirm or disprove) all phenomena mentioned already, as well as additional controversial phenomena, such as “enhanced nuclear cross-sections over short distances”, called colloquially “anomalons”. Again SSNDT can be used in at least a twofold manner as an important tool: (a) the enhanced neutron production with ¹²C ions or heavier ions in thick targets at energies above approximately 50 GeV and (b) the reduced “mean-free-path” of secondary fragments produced by the same heavy and energetic ions.     

Transmutation studies using SSNTD and radiochemistry and the associated production of secondary neutrons

Experiments using 1.5 GeV, 3.7 GeV and 7.4 GeV protons from the Synchrophasotron, LHE, JINR, Dubna, Russia, on extended Pb- and U-targets were carried out using SSNTD and radiochemical sensors for the study of secondary neutron fluences. We also carried out first transmulation studies on the long-lived radwaste nuclei ¹²⁹I and ²³⁷Np.

In addition, we carried out computer code simulation studies on these systems using LAHET and DCM/CEM codes. We have difficulties to understand rather large transmutation rates observed experimentally when they are compared with computer simulations. There seems to be a rather fundamental problem understanding the large transmutation rates as observed experimentally in Dubna and CERN, as compared to those theoretical computer simulations mentioned above.     

Double charge exchange and one-pion production in π He collisions at 1.7 GeV/c

We present the results of a study of the exclusive reactions π^{+ 4}He → π⁻ 4p (double charge exchange, DCE) and π^{+ 4}He → π⁺ π⁻ 3pn (one-pion production). The experiment was performed with the Oxford/RHEL helium bubble chamber irradiated with a 1.7 GeV/c π⁺ beam. A general review of DCE models is presented and experimental results at other energies are discussed in the light of these models. None of the existing theoretical models is compatible with out data at 1.7 GeV/c. We propose a new mechanism for DCE, involving three nucleons, which reproduces the integrated as well as the differential cross sections. Some consequences for other models are also discussed.     

Calculations of particle and heavy ion interactions with space shielding materials using the SHIELD-HIT transport code

Spectra of secondary particles produced by nucleus–nucleus interactions and heavy-ion interactions in the extended targets of interest for space research were calculated using the Monte Carlo code SHIELD-HIT. This code simulates the interactions of hadrons and atomic nuclei of arbitrary charge and mass number (Z,A) with complex extended targets in a wide energy range, from 10 GeV/u down to 1 MeV/u, and to thermal energies in the case of neutrons. Inelastic nuclear reactions in SHIELD-HIT are simulated using the Russian models of nuclear reactions. The total reaction cross sections evaluated by these models are discussed for proton and carbon interactions with different nuclei in a wide energy range. Production of secondary neutrons and charged secondary particles from the thick targets of lead, water and PMMA irradiated by ⁴He, ¹²C and ²⁸Si ions of different energies was calculated and compared with the experimental data. The results obtained by SHIELD-HIT are in reasonable agreement with experiments and are promising for further applications in space research.     

Determination of isotopic composition of plutonium in hot particles of the Chernobyl area

The knowledge of the isotopic composition of man-made transuranium elements (TUE) in the environmental samples is of great interest because, on the basis of these data, statements about the origin of the TUE can be made. One of the most radiotoxic elements released during reactor accidents and nuclear weapons tests was plutonium with the alpha emitters ²³⁸Pu, ²³⁹Pu, ²⁴⁰Pu, ²⁴²Pu and the beta-emitter ²⁴¹Pu which decays into ²⁴¹Am. The determination of plutonium in “hot” particles from the Chernobyl reactor was accomplished by means of solid state nuclear track detectors registering the alpha particles and by alpha spectroscopy after chemical treatment. Furthermore, in order to perform a complete analysis of the isotopic composition one of the “hot” particles has been investigated by resonance ionization mass spectrometry which possesses an excellent sensitivity and a good isotopic resolution.     

Can we extract lambda-lambda interaction from two-particle momentum correlation?

We analyze the invariant mass spectrum of Λ-Λ in ¹²C(K⁻, K⁺ ΛΛ) reaction at P_K⁻ = 1.65 GeV/c by using a combined framework of IntraNuclear Cascade (INC) model and the correlation function technique. The observed enhancement at low-invariant masses can be well reproduced with attractive Λ-Λ interactions with the scattering length either in the range a = −6 −4 fm (no bound state) or a = 7 12 fm (with bound state). We also discuss Λ-Λ correlation functions in central relativistic heavy-ion collisions as a possible way to eliminate this discrete ambiguity.     

Detection, dosimetry and microdosimetry using high energy C beams

Samples of polyallyldiglycolcarbonate (PADC) track etch detectors (TED) were exposed to high energy ¹²C nuclei at the particle beam of the Dubna synchrophasotron. The energy of ¹²C nuclei varied between 0.1 and 1.5 GeV per amu.

At the low studied energies the linear energy transfer (LET) of these nuclei is higher than the detector threshold value. Then, the primary particle tracks are directly etched in the detector surface. The detection efficiency approaches to 100% at perpendicular incidence. Their LET has been established by means of standard authomatized procedure recently developed. The LET values found here are in good agreement with theoretical ones.

At 1.5 GeV per amu (LET 8.4 KeV μm⁻¹) the secondary particle tracks were evaluated in all the exposed detectors. The energy deposited by these particles was compared to the energy deposited through primary ionization losses. It was found out that its contribution to the total dose is relatively lower than for protons of comparable energies. In some of these samples even the tracks of the primary nuclei were observed. It follows that the detection threshold of the developed LET spectrometer should be below 10 keV μm⁻¹.     

Experimental observation of a copious yield of electrons with small transverse momenta in pp collisions at high energies

Inclusive electron and positron emission have been observed for θ_cm = 30° and S = 2800 GeV² at the CERN Intersecting Storage Rings (ISR). Over the transverse momentum interval 0.2 GeV/c < p_T < 1.5 GeV/c, electrons and positrons, which are equal in number within the experimental accuracies, appear to grow with respect to other particles (pions) approximately like 1/p_T. We are unable to explain their number and p_T-dependence in terms of “conventional” mechanisms.     

Coherent dissociation of oxygen into four alphas in photoemulsion at 4.5 A GeV/c

The search for and study of the coherent dissociation reaction ¹⁶O → 4 have been made at 4.5 GeV/c per nucleon in emulsion. The momentum and correlation characteristics of alphas cannot be described by the statistical model of prompt fragmentation. The decay “temperature” is considerably smaller than one for the usual multifragmentation of relativistic projectiles.     

Study of impulse model in reaction Kd → pΛπ+ neutrals

In an analysis of 1114 events of the type K⁻d → pΛ⁰π⁻+ neutrals with ‘spectator’ proton momentum in excess of 0.11 GeV/c we have found that the number of protons having a momentum in the range 0.25–1.2 GeV/c exceeds that predicted on the basis of the impulse model using the Hulthén distribution by 3 : 1. Final-state interactions in which the proton does not form resonances with the other final-state particles are mainly held responsible for this effect.     

Collective sea-gull effect in πp interactions at 250 GeV/c

A collective “sea-gull” effect is observed for a system of fast hadrons produced in the fragmentation regions of nondiffractive π⁺p-interactions at 250 GeV/c. The effect is not reproduced by the FRITIOF fragmentation model in its details. It is demonstrated that hard-like processes, both in the collision phase and in the fragmentation phase, are not properly treated in the model.     

On the behavior of spallation neutrons from extended Pb targets plus moderator: A comparison between SSNTD measurements and calculation

Thick Pb targets of different lengths were irradiated by 1 GeV protons at the Nuclotron accelerator of the High Energy Laboratory, JINR, Dubna. To favor transmutation via (n,γ) reactions a paraffin moderator is used. Solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) measured neutron distribution. A comparison of experimental results with calculation on the moderator surface is given.     

Escape of charged particles at stopping annihilation of antiprotons in the heavy nuclei of nuclear photoemulsion

“Rare” annihilation channels for antiprotons stopping on heavy (Ag, Br) nuclei of photoemulsion, have been sought; 4872 stops of antiprotons on photoemulsion nuclei are analysed. Events of formation and decay of the hyperfragment _Λ⁴H, escape of ⁸He and ⁸Li nuclei, one-prong stars with the mean range 79.5±5.1 μm of secondary slow “b” particles are found among the annihilation stars at capture on nuclei (Ag, Br). The lower limits for the production probability of _Λ⁴H and ⁸He, ⁸Li nuclei per antiproton stopping in the nuclei (Ag, Br) are

W_Λ⁴H2×10⁻⁴ and W_⁸He,⁸Li=(1.3±0.6)×10⁻³.

The branching ratio for the production of one-prong stars with the secondary “b” particles is at least (1.3±0.6)×10⁻³. Possible mechanisms for a production of these events in annihilation processes are considered.     

Fission of Pb nuclei induced by 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 3.7 and 7.4 GeV protons in the volume of massive U/Pb and Pb targets

Experiments with relativistic protons accelerated at the Synchrophasotron LHE, Dubna, with energies of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 3.7 and 7.5 GeV hitting massive targets of (nat. U)/Pb and Pb were carried out using SSNTD during the years 1996–1999. The beam profiles and intensities of both primary particles and fast secondary neutrons were measured inside the massive cylinder blocks of Pb and U by counting fission fragment tracks due to the induced fission of Pb nuclei. The beam diameter typically increases by 20–30% at the depth 10 and 20 cm. With increasing the energy of protons the number of secondary neutrons increases with the depth of the target.

Further studies on beam profile measurements inside the massive heavy metal targets are discussed.     

Multiplicity and angular distributions of charged particles in interactions of Fe in emulsion at 2.5A GeV/c

Data are presented on multiplicity and angular distributions of charged secondary particles from inelastic interactions of ⁵⁶Fe in emulsion at 2.5A GeV/c. Comparisons with data, at nearby the same incident momentum per nucleon from p-A, ¹⁴N-A, ¹⁶O-A and ⁴⁰Ar-A collisions are performed in order to trace the dependence on projectile and target mass. Furthermore, the ⁵⁶Fe data are compared with the results from a cascade-evaporation model. This comparison shows some significant deviations between the model and the data which are not observed for light ion induced collisions.     

Hyperon-Nucleon bound states and electroproduction of strangeness on He

The A(e, e′K⁺)YX reaction has been investigated in Hall C at Jefferson Lab. Data were taken for Q² ≈ 0.35 and 0.5 GeV² at a beam energy of 3.245 GeV for ³He, ⁴He. The missing mass spectra are fitted with Monte Carlo simulations including Λ, Σ⁰, Σ⁻ hyperon production. Models for quasifree production are compared to the data, excess yields close to threshold are attributed to FSI. Evidence for Λ-hypernuclear bound states is seen for ^3,4He targets.     

Nuclear track radiography of “Hot” aerosol particles

Nuclear track radiography was applied to identify aerosol “hot” particles which contain elements of nuclear fuel and fallout after Chernobyl NPP accident. For the determination of the content of transuranium elements in radioactive aerosols the measurement of the -activity of “hot” particles by SSNTD was used in this work, as well as radiography of fission fragments formed as a result of the reactions (n,f) and (γ,f) in the irradiation of aerosol filters by thermal neutrons and high energy gamma quanta. The technique allowed the sizes and alpha-activity of “hot” particles to be determined without extracting them from the filter, as well as the determination of the uranium content and its enrichment by ²³⁵U, ²³⁹Pu and ²⁴¹Pu isotopes. Sensitivity of determination of alpha activity by fission method is 5×10⁻⁶ Bq per particle. The software for the system of image analysis was created. It ensured the identification of track clusters on an optical image of the SSNTD surface obtained through a video camera and the determination of size and activity of “hot” particles.     

Investigation of neutron spectrum emitted from 44 GeV C+Cu interactions with nuclear emulsion

The Energy Spectrum of fast neutrons produced in 44 GeV ¹²C+Cu interactions has been measured and analysed with nuclear emulsion of 8 cm in length, 2.2 cm in width and 400 μm in thickness made in China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China. The irradiation of the emulsion was carried out at the accelerator SYNCHROPHASOTRON of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Russia. The neutron spectrum was obtained through measuring the recoil protons in emulsion and the track parameters of particles from interactions of ¹²C(n,n′)3 in emulsion. The experimental neutron spectrum was compared with the results of a Monte-Carlo calculation, which shows that the shapes of both neutron spectra are identical within the limits of their statistical accuracy.     

In-band M1 and E2 transition rates and collective structures in Ba

Subpicosecond mean lifetimes of eight excited states in ¹²⁸Ba populated via the ⁹⁶Zr(³⁶S,4n) reaction were measured by the Doppler-shift attenuation (DSA) technique using a line-shape analysis. The differential decay-curve method (DDCM) was applied for the lifetime determination. The B(E2) values in the yrast band indicate that the first band-crossing is with a proton S-band. The configuration πh_11/2d_5/2 of the negative-parity semi-decoupled bands is confirmed by the measured B(E2, I → I − 2) and B(M1, I → I − 1) transition strengths. The higher-lying “dipole” band in ¹²⁸Ba can be described as a high-K four-quasiparticle band built on the prolate configuration (πh_11/2d_5/2) (νh_11/2g_7/2).