Investigation of 38Ar levels by 37Cl+p reactions: (I). Yield curves,excitation energies and branching ratios

Yield measurements have been performed on the reactions ³⁷Cl(p, p₀)³⁷Cl, ³⁷Cl(p, α₀)³⁴S (E_p = 1.17–1.70 MeV) and ³⁷Cl(p, n₀)³⁷Ar, ³⁷Cl(p.γ)³⁸Ar (E_p = 0.64–2.92 MeV); detailed investigations are restricted to resonances below E_p = 1.79 MeV. Resonance energies, strengths and (some) widths are reported for 12, 26 and 247 resonances in the reactions (p, p₀), (p, n₀) and (p, γ), respectively.Simultaneous (p, α₀) and (p, γ) yield measurements over selected E_p intervals in the E_p = 0.88–1.64 MeV range established the existence of 42 resonances decaying by both γ and α₀ emission. Analysis of the γ-ray spectra of 100 ³⁷Cl(p, γ)³⁸Ar resonances leads to precision excitation energies (ΔE_x = 0.1–2 keV) of 57 bound states (E_x < 8 MeV) and branching ratios of the resonances and of 50 bound states.     

Proton-induced direct capture on 21Ne and 22Ne

The direct capture process in the reactions ²¹Ne(p, γ)²²Na and ²²Ne(p, γ)²³Na has been investigated at E_p = 0.3–1.6 MeV using neon gas enriched to 91 % in ²¹Ne and to 99 % in ²²Ne, respectively. The gas was recirculated in a differentially pumped gas target system of the extended-static and quasi-point supersonic jet type. For ²²Ne(p, γ)²³Na, the direct capture process has been observed to several final states in ²³Na up to E_x = 8.83 MeV excitation energy. The deduced spectroscopic factors C²S are in fair agreement with the corresponding values from stripping reactions. The capture transition into the ²³Na ground state exhibits broad structures, which resemble Ericson fluctuations. The data remove the previously reported discrepancies in C²S for the ²³Na ground state. The excitation functions for the ²¹Ne(p, γ)²²Na reaction are dominated by broad and intense resonances, which hampered the measurement of the direct capture process. The nuclear and astrophysical aspects of the results are discussed.     

New aspects of the rotational model in25Mg

Spin assignments have been made to the²⁵Mg levels in theE _x=5–6 MeV region fromγ-ray angular distributions measured in the²²Ne(α, n y) reaction atE _α=8.0 and 8.8 MeV and fromp-γ angular correlations measured in the²⁴Mg(d, p γ) reaction atE _d=6 MeV. Unique spin assignments ofJ=7/2, 5/2, 5/2, and 9/2 could be made to the levels atE _x=5005, 5511, 5851, and 5967 keV, respectively. Ambigious assignments have been made to the levels atE _x=5245, 5524, 5785, 6032 keV (J=11/2, 7/2), 5455 keVJ=13/2, 9/2), and 5738 keV (J=3/2, 5/2). The present data confirm previous assignments ofJ=1/2 to the levels atE _x=5108 and 5466 keV, respectively. Lifetime estimates have been obtained, using the Doppler-shift attenuation method, for the levels atE _x=5245 keV (τ=30–60 fs), 5785 keV (τ=50–100 fs), 5967 keV (τ=50–100 fs), and 5455 keV (τ>1ps). All other levels in theE _x=5–6 MeV region haveτ<60 fs. A breakdown of theK-selection rule has been observed in theγ-decay of some high spin states, indicating a deviation from the strong coupling model.     

Search for low-energy resonances in 21Ne(p, γ)22Na and 22Ne(p, γ)23Na

The reactions ²¹Ne(p, γ)²²Na and ²²Ne(p, γ)²³Na have been investigated at E_p(lab) = 70–355keV. Neon gas enriched to 91% in ²¹Ne and to 99% in ²²Ne was recirculated in a differentially pumped gas target system of the extended-static and quasi-point supersonic jet type. For ²¹Ne(p, γ)²²Na, new resonances were found at E_p = 126, 272, 291 and 352 keV. The 291 keV resonance corresponds to a new unbound state in ²²Na. Excitation energies, γ-ray decay schemes, resonance widths and strengths as well as J^π assignments are reported for all the resonances. Information on low-lying states in ²²Na is also obtained. Of the 9 expected resonances in ²²Ne(p, γ)²³Na none has been observed. Upper limits on their ωγy strengths are presented. The astrophysical as well as the nulcear structure aspects of the results are discussed.     

The gamma decay of analogue states in61Cu

Resonances in the reaction⁶⁰Ni(p, γ)⁶¹Cu have been studied in the proton energy rangesE _p=1840–1880 keV and 2220–2300 keV. Decay schemes and branching ratios have been determined for a number of resonances, three of which are identified as analogue fragments of the 283 keV (1/2^?) and 656 keV (3/2^?) states in⁶¹Ni. The split analogue components of the 283 keV state atE _x≈6.6 MeV are seen to decay significantly to a group of states in the region of excitation 3–4 MeV. Gamma ray angular distributions yield the following resonance spins:E _p=2248 keV,J=3/2;E _p=2263 keV,J=5/2. Also, the⁶¹Cu ground stateβ ⁺ decay to parent levels in⁶¹Ni has been compared to the respective analogue stateM1 gamma decay to the⁶¹Cu ground state.     

Gamma-rays from the24Mg(p,γ)25Al reaction for proton energiesE p=800 keV toE p=1,830 keV

The yield curve and resonance strengths of resonances in the²⁴Mg(p, γ)²⁵Al reaction for the proton energy rangeE _p=800 keV toE _p=1,830 keV, have been determined and the existence of a resonance atE _p=1.184 MeV confirmed. Single energy spectra as well as decay schemes and branching ratios are given for these resonances. An upper level of 2.0×10^?15 sec for the lifetime of the 3.079 MeV level in²⁵Al results from a Doppler shift attenuation measurement carried out on the 2.624 MeV gamma line originating in the 3.070 MeV→0.455 MeV transition in²⁵Al.     

Widths of the 7.74 MeV analogue state in39K

The³⁸Ar(p, p)³⁸Ar and³⁸Ar(p, γ)³⁹K reactions have been investigated in the analogue resonance region at E_p=1.39 MeV. For the 7.74 MeV state of³⁹K branching ratios, unique spin and parity, \(J^\pi = \tfrac{3}{2} - \) , proton and total width, Γ_p=Γ=1.1±0.2 keV, have been determined.     

Energy levels,decay scheme, γ-ray branching ratios and lifetimes in 55Fe from the 55Mn(p,nγ)55Fe reaction

The reaction ⁵⁵Mn(p, nγ)⁵⁵Fe has been studied at E_p = 4.0 and 6.0 MeV using a pulsed beam. From the experiments at 6.0 MeV, the energy levels of ⁵⁵Fe up to an excitation of 3810 keV, their decay scheme and the γ-ray branching ratios have been determined. Levels have been identified for the first time in the (p, nγ) reaction. The results have been compared with those available from the literature. From the 4.0 MeV experiment, the mean lifetime of the 1408 keV level has been determined to be 142.7 ± 6.6 ps by direct timing techniques.     

A comparative spectroscopic investigation of21Ne and21F by pickup reactions

The reactions²²Ne(d, t)²¹Ne and²²Ne(d, τ)²¹F have been investigated in a parallel experiment atE _d=52MeV. Energy spectra of tritons andτ particles have been measured up to excitation energies of 18MeV in both²¹Ne and²¹F nuclei. Thel values could be determined, and spectroscopic factors have been obtained by a DWBA analysis of the measured angular distributions. Together with the results from a preceding \({}^{22}Ne(\vec d, \tau ){}^{21}F\) experiment, several spins could be determined in²¹F. From a comparison of the triton andτ particle spectra,T=3/2 states in²¹Ne could be identified and on this basis the new information on spins of²¹F states could be transferred to their analog states in²¹Ne. The completeT _< andT _> parts of the (2s, 1d) strengths could be observed. The 1p strength is highly fragmented. Of theT _< part only 60% of the 1p1/2 and 40% of the lp3/2 strength could be found, but the totalT _> part of the 1p strength could be localized. The spectroscopic results for positive parity states are in qualitatively good agreement with shell model predictions.     

Forward peaking of near Coulomb energy protons in (n,p) reactions at 14.1 MeV

We apply a modified statistical model of compound nucleus reactions to analyse low energy proton angular distributions from the ⁹³Nb(n, p), ^natAg(n, p) and ^natIn(n, p) reactions at E_n=14.1 MeV. The forward peaking at the maximum of the proton evaporation spectrum at E _p = 6–8 MeV is reproduced and interpreted as an indication of the decay of thermalized-nonequilibrated nuclear states.     

Spin assignment to the 9.026 MeV resonance level of36Ar using35Cl(p, γ)36Ar triple angular correlation measurements forE p = 533 keV

Triple correlation experiments have been performed to study the³⁵Cl(p, γ)³⁶Ar resonance for a proton energyE _p = 533 keV. From the analysis of the measured gamma ray angular distributions, due to the gamma decay of the 9.026 MeV resonance level in³⁶Ar via the 9.026 MeV→1.97 MeV→0 MeV double cascade, a spin value ofJ ₁ =2⁺ for the 9.026 MeV level and a mixing ratio of ?1.97 MeV∥L′₁ = 2∥9.026 MeV?/?1.97 MeV∥ L₁ = 1∥9.026 MeV? = ?0.055 + 0.022 for the 9.026 MeV→ 1.97 MeV transition could be derived.     

Study of the 19F(p, γ)20Ne radiative capture reaction from 0.2–1.2 MeV

The ¹⁹F(p, γ)²⁰Ne radiative capture reaction has been investigated for proton energies of 0.2–1.2 MeV. Excitation functions of γ-rays arising from capture reactions have been measured and the properties of known J^π = J^?J+1 resonances were studied. From the branching ratio and angular distribution measurements, the partial widths for gamma ray and proton emission of the 13.88 MeV level in ²⁰Ne were obtained, and J^π = 2⁺, T = 1 assignments for this resonance at E_P = 1091keV were made. Lower upper limit for the total width Γ = 0.8 keV has been obtained.     

High-spin states in27Al

The²⁴Mg(α, p γ) reaction has been studied atα-particle energies of 13, 15, and 15.2 MeV. Using method II of Litherland and Ferguson spin assignments or restrictions thereof could be made to the²⁷Al levels atE _x =5500 keV (I=11/2, 7/2), 6950 keV (I=11/2, 7/2), 7226 keV (I=9/2), 7286 keV (I=9/2–13/2), 7399 keV (I=11/2, 7/2) and 7443 keV (I=13/2, 9/2). Using the Doppler-shift attenuation method a lifetimeτ=20–50 fs was obtained for theE _x =7399 keV level and a limitτ<20 fs for the levels atE _x =7443, 7286, 7226, 6950, 6718, and 6287 keV, respectively. Further spin assignments in²⁷Al were obtained by a study of the²⁶Mg(p, γ) reaction at the E_p=2174 keV resonance. Fromγ-ray angular distributions the resonance spin was determined as I=9/2 (previous assignmentI=7/2) and the spin of theE _x =5959 keV level was determined asI=7/2. Tentative spin assignments were made to the levels atE _x =6537 keV (I=7/2) and 6718 keV (I=9/2). From the combined evidence of the²⁴Mg(α, p) and²⁶Mg(p, γ) reactions the spin of the 6287 keV level was found to beI=7/2. The results are compared with shell model calculations and the Nilsson model.     

Main channels of the decay of the giant dipole resonance in the 20,22Ne nuclei and isospin splitting of the giant dipole resonance in the 22Ne nucleus

Data published in the literature on various photonuclear reactions for the ^20,22Ne isotopes and for their natural mixture are analyzed with the aim of exploring special features of the decay of giant-dipole-resonance states in these two isotopes. With the aid of data on the abundances of the isotopes and on the energy reaction thresholds, the cross sections for the reactions ^20,22Ne[(γ, n)+(γ, np)] and ^20,22Ne[(γ, p)+(γ, np)] are broken down into the contributions from the one-nucleon reactions (γ, n) and (γ, p) and the contributions from the reactions (γ, np). The cross sections for the reactions ^20,22Ne(γ, n)^19,21Ne and ^20,22Ne(γ, p)^19,21F in the energy range E _γ=16.0–28.0 MeV and the cross sections for the reactions ^20,22Ne(γ, np)^18,20F in the energy range E _γ=23.3–28.0 MeV are estimated. The behavior of the cross-section ratio r=σ(γ, p)/σ(γ, n) for the ²²Ne nucleus as a function of energy is analyzed, and the isospin components of the giant dipole resonance in the ²²Ne nucleus are identified. The contributions of the isospin components of the giant dipole resonance in the ²²Ne nucleus to the cross sections for various photonuclear reactions are determined on the basis of an analysis of the diagram of the excitation and decay of pure isospin states in the ²²Ne nucleus and in nuclei neighboring it, which are members of the corresponding isospin multiplets. The isospin splitting of the giant dipole resonance and the ratio of the intensities of the isospin components are determined to be ΔE=4.57±0.69 MeV and R=0.24±0.04, respectively.     

Nuclear levels in152Eu

The transitional nucleus¹⁵²Eu has been studied using the (n, e), (n, γ), (n _res,γ), (n, γγ), (d, p), (d, t) and (p, d) reactions. The experiments have been performed at nine different laboratories. A model independent level scheme was established including 95 levels below 510 keV and nearly 900 transitions by combination of low energy transitions and reaction data. More than 20 additional levels result from gamma rays and/or charged particle reactions. The level scheme is interpreted in terms of the Nilsson model indicating that¹⁵²Eu is a deformed nucleus. Seven rotational bands and Nilsson configurations are established. An additional 27 rotational bands are tentatively or speculatively assugned. Gallagher-Moszkowski splittings are discussed. The neutron binding energy was determined as 6305.2±0.5 keV. The energy of the 9.3 h 0^? isomer is 45.599 keV. The lifetimes of four levels were measured. Nuclear Reactions¹⁵¹Eu(n,γ),E _n =thermal and resonance; measuredE _γ ,I _γ ,E _c.e.,I _c.e.,γγ Coinc.,γγΔt coinc.;¹⁵¹Eu(d, p),E=12MeV and 14MeV;¹⁵³Eu(d, t),E=12MeV;¹⁵³Eu(p, d),E =18MeV; deduced level scheme of¹⁵²Eu,J, π, T _1/2,cc, Nilsson configurations. Magnetic electron spectrometer, curved crystal spectrometer, Ge(Li) and Si(Li) detectors, magnetic spectrographs. Enriched targets.     

Investigation of high spin states in23Na and23Mg and the12C+12C resonance atE c.m.=19.3 MeV

The resonance in the¹²C+¹²C system atE _c.m.=19.3 MeV has been studied in the neutron and proton decay channels. From(p, γ), (n, p) and (n, γ) coincidence measurements high spin states could be localized inA=23 nuclei, in²³Mg up to possibly 21/2⁺. These states were resonantly populated. The present data favorJ ^π=17/2⁺ for the 9.61 MeV state in²³Mg and therefore also for the probable parent state at 9.81 MeV in²³Na. AJ ^π=12⁺ assignment to the resonance is supported and evidence was found that the resonant excitation of the lowest 15/2⁺ and 17/2⁺ states in mass 23 nuclei is caused by a change of the intrinsic structure of the Yrast levels aroundJ ^π=15/2⁺ towards larger deformation.     

Neutron branching in the reaction 12C + 12C

The cross section for the reaction ¹²C(¹²C, n)²³Mg has been measured in the energy range E_c.m. = 3.54?4.94 MeV by counting the delayed γ-rays from ²³Mg decays (half-life = 11.57 sec), and a theoretical model has been employed to extrapolate the results to threshold (E_c.m = 2.60 MeV). By combining these results with previous measurements of the reactions ¹²C(¹²C, p)²³Na and ¹²C(¹²C, α)²⁰Ne, the neutron branching ratio in the energy interval from threshold to 8 MeV is deduced, and a thermal average is computed that should be valid for use in astrophysical environments characterized by temperatures in the range (0.5–5) × 10⁹ °K. The neutron branching at temperatures appropriate to hydrostatic carbon burning in stars (T ≈ 109 °K) is found to be much smaller than previously estimated.     

Helium burning of 18O

The ¹⁸O(α, γ)²²Ne capture reaction has been studied at E_α = 0.6?2.3 MeV. The known resonance at E_α = 2.20 MeV has been established and fourteen new resonances have been found in the energy range covered. The E_α = 1.16, 1.32, 1.45, 1.53, 1.87, 1.96 and 2.15 MeV resonances correspond to resonances observed previously in the ¹⁸O(α, n)²¹Ne reaction. The E_α = 0.77, 1.25 and 1.27 MeV resonances represent new compound states in ²²Ne. Information on branching ratios, ωγ values and total widths is reported. Transition strength arguments and analyses of γ-ray angular distribution data together with results from previous work resulted in the most likely J^π assignments for the resonances.The E_α = 1.66 and 1.78 MeV resonances are good candidates for the two J^π = 8⁺ states predicted at E_x ≈ 11–12 MeV and are probably members of the K^π = 0⁺ (ground state) and K^π = 2⁺ rotational bands in ²²Ne.The investigated energy range of E_α together with that of previous work corresponds to stellar temperatures of T = (0.3?4.3) × 10⁹ K. The astrophysical reaction rate determined from these data is compared with predictions based in part on the nuclear optical model. The rate is also compared with that of the competing ¹⁸O(α, n)²¹Ne reaction.     

Measurement of mean lifetimes, γ-ray angular distributions and linear polarizations for low-lying levels of 50V

Levels of ⁵⁰V were populated with the ⁵⁰Ti(p, n)⁵⁰V reaction at E_p = 4.50, 4.62 and 4.80 MeV. Gamma rays were measured in singles. From Doppler shift attenuation measurements mean lifetimes have been deduced for 9 levels below E_x = 2 MeV. The J^π assignments for 8 of these levels follows from γ-ray angular distribution and linear polarization measurements. The transition strengths have been compared with calculations based on the wave functions of McCullen, Bayman and Zamick.     

Proton induced resonances on 21Ne

Excitation curves for the ${}^{21}\text{Ne}\text{(}\text{p}\text{, γ)}{}^{22}\text{Na}\text{,}{}^{21}\text{Ne}\text{(}\text{p, p}\text{′γ)}{}^{21}\text{Ne and}{}^{21}\text{Ne}\text{(}\text{p, p}\text{)}{}^{21}\text{Ne}$ reactions have been obtained for E_p = 0.4–1.6 MeV. Neon gas enriched to 92 % in ²¹Ne was recirculated in a differentially pumped gas target system. The fifteen previously reported (p, γ) resonances were established and nineteen new (p, γ) resonances found. Anomalies in the elastic scattering yield were observed for fourteen resonances. The reported state at E_x = 7278 ± 7 keV in ²²Na was resolved into a doublet separated by 1 keV. All unbound states in ²²Na, observed previously in other reactions, have been confirmed as resonance states in the energy range covered, with the exception of the E_x = 7942 ± 7 keV state. The new E_p = 663, 694, 1235, 1432 and 1543 keV resonances correspond to new unbound states in ²²Na. Excitation energies, γ-ray decay schemes, resonance widths and strengths as well as limits on J^π assignments are reported for all the resonances. From the Coulomb excitation of the E_x = 350 keV, first excited state in ²¹Ne a value of B(E2) = 0.014 ± 0.002 e² · b² is deduced. The astrophysical as well as the nuclear structure implications of the present results are discussed.