Specific heat of the superfluid neutron matter in neutron star crusts

By means of X-γ andγ-γ coincidence measurements of the³⁵Cl+⁵⁸Ni reaction products, 38γ lines have been identified to be in coincidence with KX(Tc)-rays and assigned to the decay of⁹⁰Ru. Its half-life of 11±3 s has been deduced from the 154.6 keVγ-decay. The result supports our previous identification of⁹⁰Ru produced in the same reactions.     

Q EC value and Gamow-Teller strength of the102CdEC/gb+ decay

Within the framework of a systematic study of 0⁺→1⁺ Β-transitions in the¹⁰⁰Sn region, the decay of the neutrondeficient isotope¹⁰²Cd was investigated. This isotope was produced in¹⁶O+⁹²Mo and⁵⁸Ni+⁵⁰Cr heavy-ion reactions and in proton-induced spallation of^natSn, and mass-separated samples were prepared by means of the GSI and the ISOLDE on-line mass separators, respectively. Observations of X-rays,γ-rays, and conversion-electrons studies have led to an improved¹⁰²Cd→¹⁰²Ag decay scheme which includes six 0⁺→1⁺ Gamow-Teller transitions. The half-life of¹⁰²Cd was redetermined with higher accuracy to be 345±8 s. Using a Si(Li)-BGO-Ge spectrometer, theΒ ⁺ endpoint energy of the main decay component was measured, yielding aQ _EC value of 2587±8 keV. This very small uncertainty ofQ _EC, combined with the improved knowledge of half-life and decay scheme, allows an accurate determination of the observed Gamow-Teller decay strengthB _Σ (GT)=1.513±0.055 for¹⁰²Cd. This result is discussed in comparison with predictions from model calculations.     

In-beamγ-ray spectroscopy of the odd-odd nucleus144Tb

The level scheme of theN=79 nucleus¹⁴⁴Tb was investigated via in beamγ-ray spectroscopy using the¹¹²Sn (³⁵Cl,n2p),¹¹⁶Sn(³²S, 3np) and⁸⁹Y(⁵⁸Ni, 2np) reactions. States up toI～20 andE _x～5 MeV were established above the 6^? β ⁺ decaying isomer. Two new isomers with half-life of 0.67(6) µs and 2.8(3) µs were identified. The level scheme of¹⁴⁴Tb is interpreted in the framework of the spherical shell model with a few valence nucleons outside the¹⁴⁶Gd core.     

Groundstate proton radioactivity of nuclei in the tin region

Proton radioactivities with decay energies of (0.98±0.08) MeV and (0.83±0.08) MeV were produced by the fusion reactions⁵⁸Ni+⁵⁸Ni→¹¹⁶Ba ? and⁵⁸Ni+⁵⁴Fe→¹¹²Xe ?, and their halflives were measured to be (33±7) μs and (109±17) μs, respectively. The intensities of the lines correspond to production cross sections of about 30 μb and 40 μb. The two activities are assigned to the direct proton decay of¹¹³Cs and¹⁰⁹I. The measured halflives are compared with values calculated ford _5/2 andg _7/2 groundstates of¹⁰⁹I and¹¹³Cs and spectroscopic factors are deduced for the decays. An extensive search for the proton decay of¹⁰⁵Sb, produced in the reaction⁵⁰Cr(⁵⁸Ni,p2 n)¹⁰⁵Sb, had a negative result, excluding decay energies between 0.5 MeV and 1.5 MeV for halflives between 10 ns and 5 s.     

The decay of 0.57 s114Cs

Fusion reactions between⁵⁸Ni projectiles and⁵⁸Ni target nuclei were used to produce¹¹⁴Cs activity, which was studied by on-line mass separation and decay spectroscopy. The obtained half-life of 0.57±0.02 s and the probability ratio of 44±3 between betadelayed proton and beta-delayed alpha emission represent data with improved precision. The absolute branching ratios for both particle decay modes were determined to be (7 ±2)×10^?2 and (1.6±0.6)×10^?3, respectively. These branching ratios and the shapes of particle spectra are discussed with reference to the statistical model calculations. Groundstate alpha decay of¹¹⁴Cs was observed with an alpha energy of 3,226±30 keV and a branching ratio of (1.8±0.6)×10^?4. An upper limit of the branching ratio for a possible ground-state proton decay was set at 5×10^?4. Fromγ-ray singles andγ-γ coincidence measurements, excited states in¹¹⁴Xe are proposed.     

The level scheme of91Tc and theβ decay of91Ru(9/2+)

The level scheme of⁹¹Tc has been studied by means of in-beamγ-ray spectroscopy in the irradiations of⁵⁸Ni and⁵⁴Fe targets by⁴⁰Ca beams from the Munich MP tandem and the heavy ion post accelerator. A large number of positive as well as of negative parity yrast-levels with excitation energies up to 8 MeV has been established. The level scheme of⁹¹Tc has been compared with shell model claculations and a good agreement for all identified levels has been found. In parallel investigations of the residual activities of the reaction⁴⁰Ca→⁵⁴Fe, theβ decay of the (9/2⁺ ground) state of⁹¹Ru has been investigated. Aβ decay scheme of⁹¹Ru(9/2⁺) has been established. The half-life of⁹¹Ru(9/2⁺) has been measured to be 9±1 s.     

Seniority isomerism in theN]=82 isotone152Yb; Favouredβ transitionsπh 11/2→vh 9/2

The reaction⁵⁸Ni→⁹⁶Ru has been investigated withγ spectroscopic methods and pulsed-beam techniques. A level scheme of the magic nucleus¹⁵²Yb has been established. The half-life of the isomeric 10⁺ state was found to be 39±5 μs. The result is discussed in the frame-work of the seniority scheme. Theory and experiment show excellent agreement for the half-lives of the 10⁺ states in theN=82 isotones¹⁴⁸Dy,¹⁵⁰Er and [¹⁵²Yb. A level scheme of¹⁵¹Tm, consisting of ten excited states, has been established.β-decay schemes of [¹⁵²Yb (3.2±0.3 s),¹⁵²Tm^(m) (8.0±1.0 s) and¹⁵¹Tm (3.8±0.8 s) have been derived. The logft value of theβ transition¹⁵²Yb (0⁰)→¹⁵²Tm (1⁺) has been determined to be about 3.4. It was found that theft values of the favouredβ transitions 0⁺→1⁺ in theβ decays of [¹⁴⁸Dy,¹⁵⁰Er and¹⁵²Yb are almost inversely proportional to the numbers of protons out of theh _11/2 subshell.     

On photonuclear reaction mechanisms at intermediate energies

The¹²C(γ,2N) reactions have been studied using tagged photons ofE _γ = 114–600 MeV at the Mainz microtron (MAMI). The cross sections of the¹²C(γ,pn) reaction and the shape of¹²C(γ,pp) spectra compare well to model predictions over a wide range of photon energies and missing energies, suggesting that the dominant mechanisms of photonuclear reactions are understood.     

Levelcrossing experiments in the first excited1 P 1 states of the alkaline earths

The hyperfine structure of the lowest¹P₁ state of²⁵Mg,⁴³Ca,⁸⁷Sr,¹³⁵Ba and¹³⁷Ba have been measured by the level-crossing and anticrossing technique. The magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole coupling constants determined by these measurements are²⁵Mg(3s3p¹P₁):A=? 7.7(5) MHz; 16 MHz>B>0 MHz,⁴³Ca(4s4p¹P₁):A=? 15.3(4) MHz; ¦B¦<12 MHz,⁸⁷Sr (5s5p¹P₁:A=? 3.4(4) MHz;B=39(4) MHz,¹³⁵Ba(6s6p¹P₁):A=? 97.5(1.0) MHz;B=31(9)MHz,¹³⁷Ba(6s6p¹P₁):A=?109.2(1.2) MHz;B=51(12)MHz. The results have been compared with the predictions of the Breit-Wills theory of the two-electron hyperfine structure using the experimental data on the³P states. Large discrepancies have been observed which are due to different radial wave functions of thes andp electron in the triplet and singlet system. This effect has been taken into account by fitting the data with the aid of two additional parameters. That this procedure is justified is shown by an analysis of the fine structure splitting, the life times, and the isotopic shifts in thesp configurations of group II elements.     

Evidence for the temporary existence of a “composite” system in deep inelastic nuclear interactions

Masses and charges have been identified for the light fragments (640Ar+⁵⁸Ni), (⁴⁰Ar+⁶⁴Ni), (⁴⁰Ca+⁵⁸Ni) and (⁴⁰Ca+⁶⁴Ni). From the study ofN and Z distributions, it has been shown that the ratioN/Z of thecomposite system has a dominant role in the determination of theN/Z of the product. Then there should be at least a charge equilibration during the damped collision.     

Electromagnetic transition strengths and nuclear moments in123Xe

The level structure of¹²³Xe has been studied with the¹¹⁴Cd (¹²C, 3n) and^?Cd (¹³C, 4n) reactions using in-beamγ-ray spectroscopy. The yrast cascade on the low lying odd parity states originating from theh _11/2 neutron orbital has been investigated yielding lifetimesτ of 18(3) ps, 2.2 (4) ns and 17(2) ns for the 15/2^?, 11/2^? and 9/2^? states, respectively. Theg-factor of thet _1/2=5.2 μs isomer has been measured to beg=?0.256(2). From the time differential observation of the electric quadrupole interaction in a¹¹⁴Cd single crystal the spin of this isomer has been determined to be 7/2 and from the coupling constante ² Qq/h=116(2) MHz the quadrupole moment was deduced. The results are discussed in the framework of the triaxial rotor plus particle model.     

Investigations of very neutron-deficient isotopes below100Sn in40Ca-induced reactions

Very neutron-deficient isotopes of rhodium, palladium, silver, cadmium and indium in theN=50 region were studied at the GSI on-line mass separator following bombardment of^{58, 60, 62}Ni and^{63, 65}Cu targets with 4.0 MeV/u ions of⁴⁰Ca. The known properties of the β-delayed proton precursor^95m Pd were confirmed, but a search for direct proton decay of^95m Ag was not successful. Beta-delayed proton activities observed at mass-numbers 94, 96, 97 and 100 were assigned to the precursors⁹⁴Rh(66±14 s),⁹⁶Ag(5.1±0.4s),⁹⁷Cd(3 _?2 ⁺⁴ s) and¹⁰⁰In. In addition,⁹⁴Pd(9.0±0.5 s) was identified from β-γ-X studies. Individual decay schemes of^95m96Pd and^{96, 98}Ag are reported.     

Pre-equilibrium alpha emission accompanying deep-inelastic16O+58Ni collisions

α particles were measured in coincidence with projectile-like reaction products (oxygen and carbon) produced in deep-inelastic¹⁶O+⁵⁸Ni collisions at about 6 MeV/N bombarding energy. The kinematic analysis of the HI andα energies measured as a function ofΘ _α gives strong evidence for a sequential process: the target-like fragments are excited by the deep-inelastic collision and undergo subsequentα decay. In contrast, the angular correlations show a pronounced forward peak, indicative of direct or pre-equilibriumα emission. The emission time for the latter is estimated to be of the order of 2×10^?21 s. To resolve this conflict of co-existing statistical and direct features of the pre-equilibrium emission, the concept of a hot spot is proposed. From the angular correlation and from theα multiplicities, a local temperature ofT?3.5 MeV is deduced which agrees well with the temperature derived from the shape of theα spectra. The spot size is estimated to be 1/5 of the sphere.     

The mass of the nucleus148Dy

Usingγγ coincidences theEC(K)/β ⁺ ratio for theβ decay¹⁴⁸Dy→¹⁴⁸Tb has been determined.¹⁴⁸Dy has been produced through the irradiation of⁹³Nb with 249 MeV⁵⁸Ni ions. The mass of¹⁴⁸Dy has been deduced. With the help of knownQα values the masses of¹⁵²Er,¹⁵⁶Yb,¹⁶⁰Hf and¹⁶⁴W have been obtained. The experimental masses are compared with different current mass formulae.     

Evidence of non-statistical structures in the elastic and inelastic scattering of58Ni+58Ni and58Ni+62Ni and intermediate dinuclear states

Excitation functions and angular distributions of⁵⁸Ni+⁵⁸Ni and⁵⁸Ni+⁶²Ni scattering at energies just above the Coulomb barrier have been measured aroundθ _cm=90° in energy stepsΔE _cm=0.25 MeV fromE _cm ? 110 MeV toE _cm ? 120 MeV for⁵⁸Ni+⁵⁸Ni and fromE _cm ? 110 MeV toE _cm ? 118 MeV for⁵⁸Ni+⁶²Ni. Evidence for structure of non-statistical character has been found in the angle-summed excitation functions; this evidence is corroborated by the analysis of the angular distributions. This is the first time that non-statistical structure in elastic and inelastic scattering is reported with high confidence level for this mass and excitation energy ranges. Attempts are presented to understand the nature of this structure, including the presence of intermediate dinuclear states and virtual states in a potential well.     

Supplementary data concerning the58Ni(p,p′ γ) reaction

Angular correlation measurements for the⁵⁸Ni(p, p′ γ) reaction were performed atE _p =8.1 MeV. Method II of Litherland and Ferguson was used to determine multipole mixing ratios of the γ-radiation and spins of most of the excited levels up to 4.11 MeV. The results confirm for the most part recent measurements of van Patteret al.; the 2775 keV state was verified to have a spin ofJ=2. Several discrepancies and additional information concerning the 3531, 3774, 3898 and 4108 keV levels are discussed. A spin value ofJ=1 is assigned to the 3531 keV level, clearly ruling out former assignments of 4⁺ and 0⁺. AJ=4 assignment is proposed for the 3774 keV state, contrary to the generally assumed value ofJ=3, which these measurements do not support.     

Thermal neutron induced charged particle reactions on58,59,61Ni

The thermal neutron induced charged particle spectroscopy on^{58, 59, 61}Ni (target nuclei) was done at the 87 m thermal neutron curved guide of the Grenoble high flux reactor. In the⁵⁹Nu(n, α)⁵⁶Fe reaction two lines showed up corresponding toα-particle transitions to the ground and first excited states in⁵⁶Fe with σ_α0=13.1±1.1 b and σ_α1 =0.188±0.01 b. A value of σ_γα≦13 mb was obtained for the two-step⁵⁹Ni(n, γα)⁵⁶Fe reaction. The technique to unfold theγα-spectrum and to get information on the primary low energyγ-rays is given and the present and our previous data on the¹⁴³Nd(n, γα)¹⁴⁰Ce reaction are analysed. For the⁵⁹Ni(n, p)⁵⁹Co reaction _p0=1.34±0.18b,σ _p1<0.30 b were determined. The cross-sections for the⁵⁸Ni(n,α)⁵⁵Fe and⁶¹Ni(n,α)⁵⁸Fe reactions were σ_α0≦30 Μb and σ_α0≦30 Μb respectively; these andσ _p1upper limit value are about 20–1500 times lower than the existing data. The other results are compared with the existing data and the differences are explained. The experimental data are compared with the values obtained from the statistical model.     

Gamow-Teller decay of118Pd and of neighbouring even isotopes of palladium

Neutron-rich isotopes of palladium were produced via the fission of²³⁸U by 20 MeV protons. These isotopes were selected using the ion guide-fed on-line mass-separator facility IGISOL at Jyväskylä. Their decays were studied byβ-ray,γ-ray and conversion-electron spectroscopy. For¹¹⁴Pd and¹¹⁶Pd, the decay schemes established previously were confirmed; additionally multipolarities were determined for a few transitions. In the case of¹¹⁸Pd, only an approximate half-life was known from a previous radiochemical experiment. In the present study, 15 gamma transitions were observed, most of which were placed in a decay scheme. The half-life and the decay energy were found to beT _1/2=1.9±0.1 s andQ _β=4.0±0.2 MeV. The decay schemes of¹¹⁴Pd,¹¹⁶Pd and¹¹⁸Pd include — respectively — two, two and four 0⁺→1⁺ Gamow-Teller beta transitions with logft values between 4.1 and 5.1. The strength of these transitions is discussed in terms of the extreme single particle shell model with pairing and the spherical proton-neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation. The possible role of deformation is considered using a shell correction method. Predictions for the decay properties of the as yet unobserved¹²⁰Pd are given.     

Measured gyromagnetic ratios of individual excited states in the ground- and gamma-bands of166Er

The gyromagnetic ratios of levels up to the 10 ₁ ⁺ in the ground-state band and of the 2 ₂ ⁺ state in theγ-band of¹⁶⁶Er were simultaneously determined experimentally by means of the thin-foil, perturbedγ-ray angular distribution technique utilizing the transient hyperfine field manifest at nuclei of Er ions rapidly traversing polarized Fe. Beams of 220- and 160-MeV⁵⁸Ni projectiles were used to Coulomb excite the levels of interest. The present results are compared with the spin-dependencies ofg-factors of levels in the ground-band predicted by recent cranked Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations and with interacting boson model expectations which includeg-boson effects.