Does the weak interaction constant depend on time?

A comparison is made of the probability of the process of two-neutrino double β decay for ⁸²Se and ⁹⁶Zr in direct (counter) and geochemical experiments. The experimental data for ¹³⁰Te are analyzed. It is shown that this probability is systematically lower in geochemical experiments, which characterize the probability of 2 β(2 v) decay 10⁹ yr ago. It is proposed that this could be due to a change in the weak-interaction constant with time. It is proposed that a series of new, precise measurements be performed with the aid of counters and geochemical experiments. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 68, No. 1, 3–8 (10 July 1998)     

Initiation of the (<Emphasis Type="Italic">γ, n</Emphasis>) and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">p,n</Emphasis>) nuclear reactions in the picosecond laser plasma at a laser intensity of 2 × 10<Superscript>18</Superscript> W/cm<Superscript>2</Superscript>

The experimental results on the initiation of various (γ, n) and (p, n) nuclear reactions in the picosecond laser plasma are presented. It is demonstrated that the following (γ, n) and (p, n) nuclear reactions can be initiated at a laser intensity of 2 × 10¹⁸ W/cm² with the threshold energies of γ-quanta ranging from 1.67 to 7.56 MeV and the threshold energies of protons ranging from 1.88 to 5 MeV: ⁹Be(γ, n)2α, ¹⁸¹Ta(γ, n)¹⁸⁰Ta, ⁷Li(p, n)⁷Be, ⁶³Cu(p, n)⁶³Zn, ⁴⁸Ti(p, n)⁴⁸V. The method based on the detection of fast neutrons using the 3He counters is employed for the measurement of the number of the initiated (γ, n) and (p, n) nuclear reactions. The measured yield of the (γ, n) and (p, n) nuclear reactions ranges from 5 × 10¹ to 10⁵ reactions per laser pulse.     

Gamma-gamma energy correlations and moment of inertia in light Xe isotopes

High-spin properties of even ^118–122Xe isotopes have been studied in experiments when a 118 MeV ¹²C beam impinged on ¹¹⁴Cd and ¹¹⁶Cd targets. The γ-rays emitted following the reactions were detected by six NaI(Tl) counters. The coincidence events from the counters were sorted into a two-dimensional matrices, from which the energy-correlation spectra were extracted. From the energy correlation spectra the quantities of the collective moment of inertia $\text{I}$⁽²⁾ are deduced and compared with data obtained for the same nuclei in previous experiments, as well as with results from theoretical studies.     

Results of a search for 2β decay of 136Xe with high-pressure copper proportional counters in Baksan Neutrino Observatory

A search for 2β decay of ¹³⁶Xe with two high-pressure copper proportional counters was carried out in the Baksan Neutrino Observatory. The experiment is based on comparison of spectra measured with natural and enriched xenon. No evidence was found for 2β(2ν) and 2β(0ν) decay. The decay half-life limit based on data measured for 8000 h is T _1/2 ≥ 8.5 × 10²¹ yr for 2ν mode and T _1/2 ≥ 3.1 × 10²³ yr for 0ν mode (90% C.L.). The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Effect of adding Ar gas on the pulse height distribution of BF<Subscript>3</Subscript>-filled neutron detectors

Boron trifluoride (BF₃) proportional counters are used as detectors for thermal neutrons. They are characterized by high neutron sensitivity and good gamma discriminating properties. Most practical BF₃ counters are filled with pure boron trifluoride gas enriched up to 96% ¹⁰B. But BF₃ is not an ideal proportional counter gas. Worsening of plateau characteristics is observed with increasing radius due to impurities in gas. To overcome this problem, counters are filled with BF₃ with an admixture of a more suitable gas such as argon. The dilution of BF₃ with argon causes a decrease in detection efficiency, but the pulse height spectrum shows sharper peaks and more stable plateau characteristics than counters filled with pure BF₃. The present investigations are undertaken to study the pulse height distribution and other important factors in BF₃+Ar filled signal counters for neutron beam applications. Tests are performed with detectors with cylindrical geometry filled with BF₃ gas enriched in ¹⁰B to 90%, and high purity Ar in different proportions. By analysing pulse height spectra, a value of 6.1 ± 0.2 has been obtained for the branching ratio of the ¹⁰B(n,α) reaction.      

Hadrons with energies higher than 50 MeV in EASes with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis></Subscript> = 10<Superscript>5</Superscript>–10<Superscript>7</Superscript>

Characteristics of the hadronic component of EASes with hadron energies E _h > 50 MeV were measured on the CARPET-2 complex shower array at the Baksan Neutrino Observatory of the Institute for Nuclear Research, Russian Academy of Sciences. Hadrons were registered using a 6-NM-64 neutron monitor; the data collection system of this array enables us to register the time intervals between pulses of neutron monitor counters with an error of up to 1 μs. For EASes with N _e = 10⁵–10⁷ whose axes are located in CARPET, we obtain the dependence of the mean neutron multiplicity in the neutron monitor on the total number of charged particles in the EAS.     

Possible modification of level 1 trigger of the CDF muon system at increased Tevatron luminosity

The increase in the Tevatron (FNAL) luminosity up to ≥ 2.0 × 10³² cm^?2 s^?1 and the level 1 (L1) trigger rate limitation resulted in tougher event selection conditions at CDF II; this led, in particular, to elimination from L1 muon trigger data from muon detectors in the pseudorapidity interval 1 < |η| < 1.25. A new muon trigger is proposed and investigated; this trigger includes signals from an additional layer of scintillation counters in the above η interval. The modified L1 muon trigger provides an acceptable for CDF II rate of lower than 1 kHz.     

Pion pair production in photon-photon collisions

The process γγ→π⁺π^? was measured using the detector MD-1 at VEPP-4. The two-photon reactionse ⁺ e ^?, μ⁺ μ^? and π⁺ π^? pair production were separated using scintillation counters, Cherenkov counters and shower-range chambers. A radiation widthГ _γγ(f ₂(1270))=3.1±0.35±0.35 keV was obtained.     

Development of a New Experimental Method for Studies of Muon Capture in Hydrogen

A new experiment is under preparation with the aim to improve considerably the present knowledge of the rate Λ _s , which should be measured on a level of 1% or better, for the basic electroweak capture reaction of a negative muon on the free proton μp _1s → n + ν_μ. The capture rate will be determined by measuring the lifetime of μ⁻ stopped in ultra pure hydrogen at 10 bar pressure and comparing it with the lifetime of the unbound μ⁺. A new experimental method was developed for this project which should allow measuring the μ⁻ lifetime with at least 10 ppm precision. The basic element of the detector is operating in the hydrogen gas time projection chamber (TPC) surrounded by multi-wire proportional chambers (MWPCs) and scintillator counters. The arrival times and trajectories of the incoming muons and the outgoing decay electrons are measured with this device providing effective suppression of background. Using the TPC as an active target, we can monitor on-line the protium contamination by impurities with a sensitivity better than 10⁻⁸. This can be done by detecting the charged products of the muon capture reaction on these impurities. It was demonstrated that the TPC and MWPCs can operate in pure hydrogen under 10 bar pressure providing gas gain up to 10 000. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Measurement of the excitation function for the <Superscript>7</Superscript>Li(t,p)<Superscript>9</Superscript>Li reaction using detection of delayed neutrons

The excitation function for the ⁷Li(t, p)⁹Li reaction is measured at the EGP-10 electrostatic tandem accelerator (VNIIEF) at the incident triton energies E _t = 5–11.3 MeV. The measurements were based on detection of delayed neutrons resulting from the decay of ⁹Li nuclei. The neutrons were detected by the 4π detector consisting of ³He counters enclosed in a polyethylene moderator. A pulsed mode was used for irradiating the LiF target (210 μg cm^?2) of natural isotopic composition on the tantalum backing. Absolutization of the excitation function was performed against the ⁷Li(p, n) reaction cross sections.     

A multi NaI(Tl) detector array for medium energyγ-ray spectroscopy

An array of seven hexagonal NaI(Tl) detectors has been set up for measuringγ-ray spectra in the energy region 5 MeV ≤E _γ ≤ 40 MeV with good accuracy. This is in contrast to earlier set ups which mostly used one large sized (about 10 inchesφ × 15 inches long)NaI(Tl) detector. This set up has been made for the study ofγ decay of GDR based on high spin states and ultra-dipole radiations. The array has been provided with the following features: a) TOF discrimination against neutrons, b) pile up detection and elimination, c) active and passive shielding to cut down background and d) an array of trigger counters for multiplicity dependence measurements. The well known program EGS4 has been used to determine the response of the array forγ-rays in the energy region 5–40 MeV and several test measurements have been carried out to confirm the validity of the calculated response functions. Some typicalγ-ray spectra fromα and¹⁶O induced reactions measured at VECC, Calcutta and Pelletron accelerator at TIFR are also shown.     

Status of the development of the imaging proportional counters for the Stellar X-Ray Polarimeter

Summary The Stellar X-Ray Polarimeter SXRP will be flown at the focus of the SODART X-ray telescope aboard the Russian satellite SPECTRUM-X-Gamma by the end of 1995. Four imaging proportional counters will detect photons diffracted by a graphite crystal (2.6 and 5.2 keV) and scattered from a lithium rod enclosed in a beryllium case (from 5 to 20 KeV). The counters are position-sensitive by the Wedge and Strip (WS) readout method. The gas mixture is 80% xenon, 10% argon and 10% methane. In this contribution we resume the results of the measurements performed on the engineering models of the counters. Position resolution of about 1.5 mm is attained with an energy resolution of about 25%. The pulse shape discrimination offers more than 98%⁶⁰Co events rejection, with at least 90% X-ray acceptance. Some improvements are foreseen for the flight units in terms of sensitivity and uniformity of response.     

Background of external <Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis> radiation in the proportional counters of the SAGE experiment

The effect of external γ radiation on the process of counting ⁷¹Ge decays in the proportional counters of the SAGE experiment measuring the solar-neutrino flux is considered. The systematic uncertainty in the SAGE result due to radon decays inside the air volume surrounding the counters is estimated. The background counting rate in the proportional counters that is caused by γ radiation from the enclosing shield is also determined.     

New CHOD detector for the NA62 experiment at CERN

The New CHOD is a scintillation hodoscope with a pad structure featuring a total of 148 counters. The signal from each pad is read out using wavelength-shifting fibers and two or four SensL SiPMs with a sensitive area of 3 × 3 mm². This photodetector has 4774 pixels 35 × 35 μm² in size. The key parameters (photon detection efficiency, dark current, crosstalk, and gain) were measured for 500 SiPMs.     

Zur longitudinalen Verteilung der Elektronen in großen Luftschauern

The standard deviationσ of the instantaneous distribution of electrons in extensive air showers at sea level has been measured by coincidence of two spark counters, a cloud chamber providing data on arrival directions and particle densities. The values published up to now were in the range 2<σ<8 ns and the standard time deviationσ ₀ due to instrumental fluctuations was about 4 ns. In this experiment with aσ ₀=1,8 ns mean delaysσ have been obtained between 1 and 2 ns, the values decreasing with increasing particle density. This tendency may be due to the fact that the mean separations of the electrons, taken perpendicular to the shower front, are increasing with distance from the shower axis. The fractional contribution of showers within a given range of sizes, the axes of which came down within a given interval of distances from the counters has been calculated. It was concluded that 80% of the showers triggering the two counters were in the range from 10⁵ to 10⁷ particles. By means of these calculations, using the measured values for the mean delaysσ at different particle densities, a simple curve has been constructed which gives the mean separations of electrons vs distance from the shower axis up to 1000 m and is in good agreement with the experimental data ofLinsley andScarsi for great distances from the shower axis.     

Search for two-neutrino 2<Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis> capture in <Superscript>124</Superscript>Xe: the method and preliminary results

The technique used in the experiment in the search for the process of 2K2ν-capture in ¹²⁴Xe using large high-pressure proportional counters is briefly described. The measurements with a xenon sample enriched to 21% (or ~57 g) of the ¹²⁴Xe isotope carried out for 3340 hours yielded a zero signal. The resultant upper limit on the ¹²⁴Xe half-life with respect to the 2ν-mode of the nuclear capture of two K-shell electrons amounts to T_1/2>4.6 10²¹ yr at the 90% confidence level.     

Measurement of the Electric Quadrupole Moment of the 9/2− and 21/2− Isomers in 173Ta

The electric quadrupole moments of the 9/2⁻ and 21/2⁻ isomeric states of ¹⁷³Ta at 165.8 keV and 1713.2 keV, respectively, were measured as Q(9/2⁻)=2.92(15) b and Q(21/2⁻)=6.23(18) b for the first time using the TDPAD technique. A 66 MeV pulsed ¹²C ion beam from the 15UD pelletron accelerator facility of the Nuclear Science Centre at New Delhi was used in the reaction ¹⁶⁵Ho(¹²C, 4nγ)¹⁷³Ta. The experimental values of equilibrium deformations β₂(9/2⁻)=0.251(7) and β₂(21/2⁻)=0.391(7) were extracted. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Scintillation detector with the fiber-optical readout

The results of studying detectors with light collection based on wavelength-shifting fibers regularly glued into scintillation tiles of identical area (1 × 1 m²) and different thickness of the scintillator (1, 3, 5 cm) are reported. Advantages and disadvantages of these counters from the point of view of their use in EAS arrays are discussed.     

Rotational bands in 181Ta

High-spin states in ¹⁸¹Ta have been studied via the ¹⁷⁶Yb(¹¹B,α2n) reaction at 52 MeV using the PEX array and at 57 MeV using the NORDBALL array, with α-particle detection. The previously known, K^π=(7/2)⁺ ground state band and K^π=(9/2)⁻ band have been extended to spins (29/2)⁺ and (31/2)⁻, respectively. Two new one-quasiparticle bands, the K^π=(5/2)⁺ band built on the known (5/2)⁺ isomer and a K^π=((1/2)⁻) band have been observed. Two other rotational bands with three-quasiparticle structure, K^π=(15/2)⁻ and ((19/2)⁺ with π(7/2)[404]ν²(1/2)[510](9/2)[624] and π(9/2)[514]ν²(1/2)[510](9/2)[624] configurations, respectively, have been newly observed. The half-life of the K^π=((19/2)⁺) bandhead which decays to the head of the (15/2)⁻ band has been measured to be 140(36) ns. However, transitions from the ((19/2)⁺) state to the (15/2)⁻ band have not been observed. Received: 26 August 1998     

ГЕНЕРАТОР ВЫСОКОВОЛ ЬТНЫХ ИМПУЛЬСОВ МАЛО Й ДЛИТЕЛЬНОСТИ С МАЛЫМ ВРЕМЕНЕМ НАРАСТАНИЯ И ЕГО ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ ДЛЯ И ЗМЕРЕНИЯ ПОДВИЖНОСТ ЕЙ ЭЛЕКТРИЧЕСКИХ ЗАРЯД ОВ В ГАЗАХ

The paper describes a generator of square-wave power pulses with a front of 2×10^–8 second and length of 0·6×10^–6 sec for a capacity load of 70 pF, with continuously regulable amplitude from 1 to 9 kV. The current in the pulses >100 A. The delay in the high-power pulse with respect to the triggering pulse does not exceed (0·09–0·15)×10^–6 sec. The generator is intended for operating spark counters of relativistic particles although its range of use may be much greater. The paper points out its use for studying the mobilities of electric charges in gas mixtures of spark counters.