β-delayed neutron decay of 21N

The β-delayed neutron and γ spectra of neutron-rich nucleus ²¹N using β-γ and β-n coincidence measurements were presented in this paper. Thirteen new neutron groups ranging from 0.28 MeV to 4.98 MeV and with a total branching ratio 88.7±4.2% were observed. One γ transition among the excited states of ²¹O, and four γ transitions among the excited states of ²⁰O were identified in the β decay chain of ²¹N. The ungated half-life of 83.8±2.1 ms was also determined for ²¹N.     

Gamma decay of the lowly excited states of 189Re

¹⁸⁹W activities were produced via the ¹⁹²Os(n, α) reaction using irradiation of isotopically enriched ¹⁹²Os metallic powder of ~100 mg/cm² with 14 MeV neutrons. The X-γ and γ-γ coincidence measurements were made so as to obtain γ rays from ¹⁸⁹W decay and its coincidence relations. A new simple decay scheme of ¹⁸⁹W including three γ rays of 210.2, 229.6 and 260.2 keV is proposed. Two new levels of ¹⁸⁹Re at 470.4 and 489.8 keV are assigned.     

Calculation of prompt fission neutron spectra for 235U(n,f)

The prompt fission neutron spectra for the neutron-induced fission of ²³⁵U at E_n < 5 MeV are calculated using nuclear evaporation theory with a semi-empirical model, in which the nonconstant and constant temperatures related to the Fermi gas model are taken into account. The calculated prompt fission neutron spectra reproduce the experimental data well. For the n(thermal)+²³⁵U reaction, the average nuclear temperature of the fission fragment, and the probability distribution of the nuclear temperature, are discussed and compared with the Los Alamos model. The energy carried away by γ rays emitted from each fragment is also obtained and the results are in good agreement with the existing experimental data.     

Forward-backward multiplicity correlations of target fragments in nucleus-emulsion collisions at a few hundred MeV/u

The forward-backward multiplicity and correlations of a target evaporated fragment (black track particle) and target recoiled proton (grey track particle) emitted from 150 A MeV ⁴He, 290 A MeV ¹²C, 400 A MeV ¹²C, 400 A MeV ²⁰Ne and 500 A MeV ⁵⁶Fe induced different types of nuclear emulsion target interactions are investigated. It is found that the forward and backward averaged multiplicity of a grey, black and heavily ionized track particle increases with the increase of the target size. The averaged multiplicity of a forward black track particle, backward black track particle, and backward grey track particle do not depend on the projectile size and energy, but the averaged multiplicity of a forward grey track particle increases with an increase of projectile size and energy. The backward grey track particle multiplicity distribution follows an exponential decay law and the decay constant decreases with an increase of target size. The backward-forward multiplicity correlations follow linear law which is independent of the projectile size and energy, and the saturation effect is observed in some heavy target data sets.     

Prompt neutron multiplicity distribution for ~（235）U（n,f） at incident energies up to 20 MeV

For the n+²³⁵U fission reaction, the total excitation energy partition of the fission fragments, the average neutron kinetic energy <ε>(A) and the total average energies E_γ(A) removed by γ rays as a function of fission fragment mass are given at incident energies up to 20 MeV. The prompt neutron multiplicity as a function of the fragment mass, ν(A), for neutron-induced fission of ²³⁵U at different incident neutron energies is calculated. The calculated results are checked with the total average prompt neutron multiplicities ν and compared with the experimental and evaluated data. Some prompt neutron and γ emission mechanisms are discussed.     

Prompt fission neutron spectra of n+235U above the (n,nf) fission threshold

Calculations of prompt fission neutron spectra (PFNS) from the ²³⁵U(n, f) reaction were performed with a semi-empirical method for E_n=7.0 and 14.7 MeV neutron energies. The total PFNS were obtained as a superposition of (n,xnf) pre-fission neutron spectra and post-fission spectra of neutrons which were evaporated from fission fragments, and these two kinds of spectra were taken as an expression of the evaporation spectrum. The contributions of (n,xnf) fission neutron spectra on the calculated PFNS were discussed. The results show that emission of one or two neutrons in the (n,nf) or (n,2nf) reactions influences the PFNS shape, and the neutron spectra of the (n,xnf) fission-channel are soft compared with the neutron spectra of the (n,f) fission channel. In addition, analysis of the multiple-chance fission component showed that second-chance fission dominates the PFNS with an incident neutron energy of 14.7 MeV whereas first-chance fission dominates the 7 MeV case.     

Systematical law of β+-decay half-lives of nuclei far from β-stable line

Experimental data of nuclear β⁺-decay half-lives are systematically analyzed and investigated. We present an exponential law between the half-life of β⁺-decay with the same forbiddenness and the nucleon number (Z,N) of parent nucleus far from the β-stable line. A formula with four parameters is proposed to describe the β⁺-decay half-lives of nuclei far from stability. Experimental β⁺-decay half-lives of the first and second forbidden transitions are well reproduced by this simple formula. The physics of the exponential law is related to the statistical properties of β⁺-decay far from β-stable line.     

CDEX-1 1 kg point-contact germanium detector for low mass dark matter searches

The CDEX collaboration has been established for direct detection of light dark matter particles, using ultra-low energy threshold point-contact p-type germanium detectors, in China JinPing underground Laboratory (CJPL). The first 1 kg point-contact germanium detector with a sub-keV energy threshold has been tested in a passive shielding system located in CJPL. The outputs from both the point-contact P⁺ electrode and the outside N⁺ electrode make it possible to scan the lower energy range of less than 1 keV and at the same time to detect the higher energy range up to 3 MeV. The outputs from both P⁺ and N⁺ electrode may also provide a more powerful method for signal discrimination for dark matter experiment. Some key parameters, including energy resolution, dead time, decay times of internal X-rays, and system stability, have been tested and measured. The results show that the 1 kg point-contact germanium detector, together with its shielding system and electronics, can run smoothly with good performances. This detector system will be deployed for dark matter search experiments.     

Low temperature testing and neutron irradiation of a swept charge device on board the HXMT satellite

We present the low temperature testing of an SCD detector, investigating its performance such as readout noise, energy resolution at 5.9 keV and dark current. The SCD's performance is closely related to temperature, and the temperature range of -80 ℃ to -50 ℃ is the best choice, where the FWHM at 5.9 keV is about 130 eV. The influence of the neutron irradiation from an electrostatic accelerator with fluence up to 1×10⁹ cm^-2 has been examined. We find the SCD is not vulnerable to neutron irradiation. The detailed operations of the SCD and the test results of low temperature are reported, and the results of neutron irradiation are discussed.     

Exploring nuclear symmetry energy with isospin dependence in neutron skin thickness of nuclei

We propose an alternative way to constrain the density dependence of the symmetry energy from the neutron skin thickness of nuclei which shows a linear relation to both the isospin asymmetry and the nuclear charge with a form of Z^2/3. The relation of the neutron skin thickness to the nuclear charge and isospin asymmetry is systematically studied with the data from antiprotonic atom measurement, and with the extended Thomas-Fermi approach incorporating the Skyrme energy density functional. An obviously linear relationship between the slope parameter L of the nuclear symmetry energy and the isospin asymmetry dependent parameter of the neutron skin thickness can be found, by adopting 70 Skyrme interactions in the calculations. Combining the available experimental data, the constraint of -20 MeV L 82 MeV on the slope parameter of the symmetry energy is obtained. The Skyrme interactions satisfying the constraint are selected.     

Calculation of prompt fission neutron spectrum for 233U（n,f）reaction by the semi-empirical method~

The prompt fission neutron spectra for the neutron-induced fission of ²³³U for low energy neutrons (below 6 MeV) are calculated using nuclear evaporation theory with a semi-empirical method, in which the partition of the total excitation energy between the fission fragments for the n_th+²³³U fission reactions is determined by the available experimental and evaluation data. The calculated prompt fission neutron spectra agree well with the experimental data. The proportions of high-energy neutrons of prompt fission neutron spectrum versus incident neutron energies are investigated with the theoretical spectra, and the results are consistent with the systematics. The semi-empirical method could be a useful tool for the prompt evaluation of fission neutron spectra.     

New high spin level scheme of 87Sr

High spin states of the odd-A ⁸⁷Sr were populated by the fusion-evaporation reaction ⁸²Se(⁹Be, 4n) ⁸⁷Sr at a beam energy of 46 MeV. Excited levels of ⁸⁷Sr have been extended up to an excitation energy of 7.4 MeV at spin 31/2ħ. The coupling of a g_9/2 neutron hole to the yrast states of the ⁸⁸Sr core can account for the low-lying states in ⁸⁷Sr. The structure of the higher spin states is discussed by analogy with those of the neighboring odd-A N=49 isotones and possible configurations are proposed.     

Experimental Evidence of Two-Proton Emissions from 18Ne Excited State

Experiment ^18Ne＋^197 Au was performed in Heavy Ion Research Facility Radioactive Ion Beam Line at Lanzhou （RIBLL）. The nuclear energy levels of ^18Ne were built by complete kinematical reconstruction of the decay products and diproton decay were observed from ^18Ne excited states. At 6.15 MeV, the experimental relative momentum and angular correlations of the emitted protons are given. The obvious enhancement at ｜qrol｜= 23 MeV/c and θc.m. = 40° shows the experimental criterion of ^2He cluster decay from ^18Ne^q.     

A study on the decay of ^72As

The excited states of the ⁷²Ge nucleus were investigated in radioactive decay of ⁷²As. Three new transitions with 1996.58, 2125.59 and 2255.49keV have been found for the first time. One γ-ray with 912.09keV has been placed in the decay scheme for the first time, and the placement of 1938.88, 2116.79, 2785.59, 2833.03, 2950.69 and 3338.00keV γ-rays are confirmed again in the present work. One new level at 2027.72keV excitation energy is proposed. The level scheme was established and for a number of levels spin-parity assignments are suggested on the basis of logft values and γ-branching ratios.     

Dependence of the cross sections for Ir isotopes on the values of Qgg in the heavy ion collision

¹⁹⁷Au were irradiated with 47 MeV/u ¹²C ions. Iridium was produced via the multinucleon transfer reactions in bombardments of ¹⁹⁷Au with ¹²C. and was separated radiochemically from Au and the mixture of the reaction products. The γ radioactivities of Ir isotopes were measured by using a HPGe detector. The production cross sections of Ir isotopes were determined from activities of Ir isotopes at the end of bombardment and the other relative data. It has been found that the cross sections for neutron-rich isotopes of iridium show an exponential dependence on the values of Q_gg. Our experimental results also demonstrate lack of correlation between the cross sections and Q_gg in the case of neutron-deficient isotopes of iridium. The fact can be explained from that neutron-rich isotopes of iridium were produced in the deep inelastic transfer reactions.     

Competition between α-decay and β-decay for heavy andsuperheavy nuclei

In this work, the β-stable region for Z≥90 is proposed based on a successful binding energy formula. The calculated β-stable nuclei in the β-stable region are in good agreement with the ones obtained by Möller et al. The half-lives of the nuclei close to the β-stable region are calculated and the competition between α-decay and β-decay is systematically investigated. The calculated half-lives and the suggested decay modes are well in line with the experimental results. The decay modes are mostly β^--decay above the β-stable region. Especially for Z≤111, all the decay modes are β^--decay. Regarding the nuclei above the β-stable region, α-decay and β^--decay (α+β^-) can occur simultaneously when Z≥112. This is a very interesting phenomenon. The competition between α-decay and β-decay is very complex and drastic below the β-stable region. The predictions for half-lives and decay modes of the nuclei with Z=107-110 are presented in detail.     

Nuclear structure and decay modes of Ra isotopes within an axially deformed relativistic mean field model

We examine the structural properties and half-life decay of Ra isotopes within the axially deformed Relativistic Mean-Field(RMF)theory with NL3 force parameters.We work out the binding energy(BE),RMS radii,two-neutron separation energies(S_(2n)),and some other observables.The results are in good agreement with the finite-range droplet model(FRDM)and experimental results.Considering the possibility of neutron magic number,theα-decay and cluster decay half-lives of Ra isotopes are calculated systematically using the Q-values obtained from the RMF formalism.These decay half-life calculations are carried out by taking three different empirical formulae.The calculated decay half-lives are found to be highly sensitive to the choice of Q-values.Possible shell or sub-shell closures are found at daughter nuclei with N=128 and N=126 when alpha and~8Be,~(12)C,~(18)O respectively are emitted from Ra isotopes.Though the cluster radioactivity is affected by the shell closure of parent and daughter,a long half-life indicates the stability of the parent,and a small parent half-life indicates that the shell stability of the daughter against decay.     

Structure of high spin states in 112In

The high spin states of ¹¹²In have been populated via the ¹¹⁰Pd(⁷Li,5n)¹¹²In reaction with a beam energy of 50 MeV. By analyzing the γ-γ coincidence relations and DCO ratios of γ transitions,A new level scheme of ¹¹²In including seventy-four new gamma transitions and six new bands up to the excitation energy of 6.8 MeV has been presented.     

Identification of Newβ-Delayed γ Rays and a Low-Spin Isomer in^176Ir

The β＋/EC decay of doubly odd nucleus ^176Ir has been studied via the ^146Nd（^35Cl, 5n7） heavy ion fusion evaporation reaction at 210MeV bombarding energy. With the aid of a helium-jet recoil fast tape transport system, the reaction products were transported to a low-background location for measurement. Based on the data analysis, the previously known γ rays from the decay of ^176Ir are proven. Moreover, three new excited levels and ten new γ rays are assigned to ^176Os. The time spectra of typical γ rays clearly indicate a long-lived low-spin isomer in ^176Ir.     

Muon transfer from ground state deuterium to helium nuclei and its temperature dependence

The energy and time distributions of the decay X-rays of excited, metastable, molecular (dμHe)*-resonances were measured. The comparison of the observed energy spectra with calculated ones suggests that decay from the rotational state J = 1 dominates at the investigated conditions. The muon transfer rates from ground state deuterium to the helium isotopes ³He and ⁴He at low temperatures were determined from the time distributions of these spectra. Additionally, the temperature dependence of the muon transfer rate was clearly established in deuterium / ⁴He mixtures. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.