Neutron single-particle structure of <Superscript>48</Superscript>Ca, <Superscript>50</Superscript>Ti, <Superscript>52</Superscript>Cr, <Superscript>54</Superscript>Fe,and <Superscript>56</Superscript>Ni nuclei

The change in the neutron single-particle structure of (1f?2p)-shell magic nuclei near the Fermi energy with an increase in the number of protons in the 1f _7/2 subshell from 0 for ⁴⁸Ca to 8 for ⁵⁶Ni has been investigated. Good agreement of the experimental and estimated values of the single-particle energies E _nlj of the bound states of neutrons in these nuclei with the results of calculations within the dispersive optical model is obtained.     

Band interaction in <Superscript>162</Superscript>Dy, <Superscript>168</Superscript>Er,and <Superscript>172</Superscript>Yb

Coriolis interaction between levels of two rotational bands in ¹⁷²Yb with K ^π = 2⁺ and 3⁺ and in ¹⁶⁸Er between levels with K ^π = 0^?, 1^?, and 2^? is studied. The values of the interaction parameters are obtained. The mutual influence of two bands in ¹⁶²Dy with ΔK = 2, K _i ^π = 0 ₂ ⁺ and 2 ₁ ⁺ due to Coriolis interaction is demonstrated.     

Data on photoneutron reactions from various experiments for <Superscript>133</Superscript>Cs, <Superscript>138</Superscript>Ba and <Superscript>209</Superscript>Bi nuclei

Basic methods for determining cross sections for photoneutron partial reactions are examined. They are obtained directly in experiments with quasimonoeneregetic annihilation photons or from the cross section for the (γ, xn) = (γ, 1n) + 2(γ, 2n) + 3(γ, 3n) +... neutron-yield reaction in experiments with bremsstrahlung photons by introducing corrections based on statistical nuclear-reaction theory. The difference in the conditions of these experiments, which leads to discrepancies between their results because of sizable systematic errors, is analyzed. Physical criteria are used to study the reliability of data on the photodisintegration of ¹³³Cs, ¹³⁸Ba, and ²⁰⁹Bi nuclei. The cross sections for partial and total reactions satisfying the reliability criteria are evaluated within the experimental–theoretical method (σ^eval(γ, in) = F_i^theor × σ^expt(γ, xn)) on the basis of the experimental cross sections σ^expt(γ, xn) and the results of the calculations within the combined model of photonuclear reactions.     

Reliability of the data on the cross sections of the partial photoneutron reaction for <Superscript>63,65</Superscript>Cu and <Superscript>80</Superscript>Se nuclei

The cross sections of partial photoneutron reactions are evaluated for the ^63,65Cu and ⁸⁰Se isotopes. The cross sections are free of systematic uncertainties from shortcomings of the experimental methods for neutron multiplicity sorting based on measurements of neutron energy used in experiments with quasimonoenergetic annihilation photon beams. An experimental-theoretical method is used to evaluate cross sections σ^eval(γ, in)= F_i^theor σ^exp(γ, xn), where ratios F_i^theor = σ^theor(γ, in)/σ^theor(γ, xn) = σ^theor(γ, in)/σ^theor[(γ, 1n) + 2(γ, 2n) + …] are calculated using a combined model of photonuclear reactions, and σ^exp(γ, xn) is the experimental cross section of the neutron yield reaction free from neutron multiplicity sorting problems. The cross sections are evaluated for reactions (γ, 1n) and (γ, 2n) for the ^63,65Cu and ⁸⁰Se isotopes, and for the total photoneutron reaction σ(γ, Sn) = σ[(γ, 1n) + (γ, 2n) + …]. It is shown that noticeable deviations of the experimental cross sections from the evaluated values result from the unreliable sorting of neutrons between the channels with multiplicities 1 and 2.     

Theoretical study of photoionization of the isoelectronic sequence Rb<Superscript>+</Superscript>, Sr<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, and Y<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

The photoionization cross sections for the 4p shell of ions of the Kr isoelectronic sequence Rb⁺, Sr²⁺, and Y³⁺ are calculated. The configuration interaction theory and the perturbation theory are used to describe the many-electron effects. The relativistic effects are taken into account in the Pauli-Fock approximation. The calculated resonance structure of photoionization cross sections for the 4p shell in the region below the 4s threshold associated with the autoionization of the 4s-np singly excited states and the 4p4p-nln′l′ doubly excited states reproduces the results of recent measurements of total photoabsorption cross sections for the Rb⁺, Sr²⁺, and Y³⁺ ions. It is found that, as the nuclear charge in the isoelectronic sequence increases, the ratio between the direct and correlation parts of amplitudes of the 4s-(n/?)p transition changes and, as the consequence, the minimum of the photoionization cross section of the 4s shell shifts from the continuous spectrum to the region of states of discrete spectrum. This accounts for the strong changes in the shape of the 4s-np resonances in the photoionization cross sections for the 4p shell of Rb⁺, Sr²⁺, and Y³⁺, as well as the distinction between the shapes of the 4s-6p _1/2 mirror resonance in the partial 4p _1/2 and 4p _3/2 photoionization cross sections for the Y³⁺ ion which do not suppress each other in the total photoionization cross section, as is the case for similar resonances in Rb⁺ and Sr²⁺.     

Study of <Superscript>179</Superscript>Hf<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>2</Superscript> excitation

Isomeric ratios of ¹⁷⁹Hf ^m2,g yields in the (γ, n) reaction and the cross section for the ¹⁷⁹Hf ^m2 population in the (α, p) reaction are measured for the first time at the end-point energies of 15.1 and 17.5 MeV for bremsstrahlung photons and 26 MeV for alpha particles. The results are σ = (1.1 ± 0.11) × 10^?27 cm² for the ¹⁷⁶Lu(α, p)¹⁷⁹Hf ^m2 reaction and Y _m2/Y _g = (6.1 ± 0.3) × 10^?6 and (3.7 ± 0.2) × 10^?6 for the ¹⁸⁰Hf(γ, n)¹⁷⁹Hf ^m22 reaction at Е _ep =15.1 and 17.5 MeV, respectively. The experimental data on the relative ¹⁷⁹Hf ^m2 yield indicate a single-humped shape of the excitation function for the ¹⁸⁰Hf(γ, n)¹⁷⁹Hf ^m2 reaction. Simulation is performed using the TALYS-1.4 and EMPIRE-3.2 codes.     

Signature splitting in two quasiparticle rotational bands of <Superscript>180,182</Superscript>Ta

The signature splittings in K^π = 1 ⁺: 7 /2[404] _π?9 /2[624] _ν, K^π = 0^?: 9 /2[514] _π?9 /2[624] _ν bands of ¹⁸⁰Ta and K^π = 0^?: 7 /2[404] _π?7 /2[503] _ν, K^π = 1^?: 5 /2[402] _π?3 /2[512] _ν, K^π = 1⁺: 7 /2[404] _π?9 /2[624] _ν bands of ¹⁸²Ta are analysed within the framework of two-quasiparticle rotor model. The phase as well as magnitude of the experimentally observed signature splitting in K^π = 1⁺ band of ¹⁸⁰Ta, which could not be explained in earlier calculations, is successfully reproduced. The conflict regarding placement of a 12 ⁺ level in K^π = 1 ⁺: 7 /2 ⁺[404] _π?9 /2 ⁺[624] _ν ground-state rotational band of ¹⁸⁰Ta is resolved and tentative nature of K^π = 0^?: 7 /2[404] _π?7 /2[503] _ν, K^π = 1⁺: 7 /2[404] _π?9 /2[624] _ν bands observed in ¹⁸²Ta is confirmed. As a future prediction for experimentalists, these two-quasiparticle structures observed in ¹⁸⁰Ta and ¹⁸²Ta are extended to higher spins.     

Mixing of <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Superscript>0</Superscript> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis><Superscript>0</Superscript> neutral mesons within the minimum supersymmetry model

Mixing of K ⁰ and B ⁰ mesons is studied in the scope of the minimum supersymmetry model (MSSM) with a type II Yukawa sector and explicit violation of CP invariance in the Higgs potential. The mixing parameters Δm _LS and ? are calculated in the limit of the low-energy four-fermion approximation with a charged Higgs boson exchange. It is shown that supersymmetric effects are very small for K ⁰ mesons and may be quite significant for B _s ⁰ and B _d ⁰ mesons, which imposes constraints on the MSSM parameter space.     

Prompt-fission-neutrons spectra of <Superscript>238</Superscript>U

The spectra of prompt fission neutrons from the reaction ²³⁸U(n, F) for neutrons of energy in the range E _n ≤ 20 MeV are interpreted within the statistical model. It is shown that exclusive spectra of prefission neutrons emitted in (n, xnf) reactions play a decisive role in describing the observed promptfission-neutron spectra and determine the average energies of prompt-fission neutrons. The dependence of the effect of prefission neutrons on the fissility of a target nucleus is demonstrated for the reactions ²³²Th(n, F), ²³⁵U(n, F), and ²³⁹Pu(n, F).     

Electron paramagnetic resonance of Cr<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-Li<Superscript>+</Superscript> centers in (Cr,Li): Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>4</Subscript> synthetic forsterite

Synthetic single crystals of chromium-and lithium-doped forsterite, namely, (Cr,Li): Mg₂SiO₄, are studied using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. It is revealed that, apart from the known centers Cr³⁺(M1) and Cr³⁺(M2) (with local symmetries C_i and C_s, respectively), these crystals involve two new types of centers with C₁ symmetry, namely, Cr³⁺(M1)′ and Cr³⁺(M2)′ centers. The standard parameters D and E in a zero magnetic field [zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters expressed in GHz] and principal components of the g tensor are determined as follows: D=31.35, E=8.28, and g=(1.9797, 1.9801, 1.9759) for Cr³⁺(M1)′ centers and D=15.171, E=2.283, and g=(1.9747, 1.9769, 1.9710) for Cr³⁺(M2)′ centers. It is found that the lowsymmetric effect of misalignment of the principal axes of the ZFS and g tensors most clearly manifests itself (i.e., its magnitude reaches 19°) in the case of Cr³⁺(M2)′ centers. The structural models Cr³⁺(M1)-Li⁺(M2) and Cr³⁺(M2)-Li⁺(M1) are proposed for the Cr³⁺(M1)′ and Cr³⁺(M2)′ centers, respectively. The concentrations of both centers are determined. It is demonstrated that, upon the formation of Cr³⁺-Li⁺ ion pairs, the M1 position for chromium appears to be two times more preferable than the M2 position. Reasoning from the results obtained, the R₁ line (the ²E → ⁴A₂ transition) observed in the luminescence spectra of (Cr,Li): Mg₂SiO₄ crystals in the vicinity of 699.6 nm is assigned to the Cr³⁺(M1)′ center.     

Hyperfine magnetic anomaly in isotopic pairs <Superscript>151, 152</Superscript>Eu and <Superscript>152, 153</Superscript>Eu

High-resolution laser spectroscopy measurements of optical hyperfine splitting on the ^{151, 152, 153}Eu isotopes were performed on the atomic transition 4f ⁷6s ^{2 8} S _7/2 → 4f ⁷6s6p ⁶ P _5/2 at λ ≈ 564.58 nm. Values of the nuclear magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments are obtained from the measured hyperfine splitting and the magnetic hyperfine anomalies in the isotope pairs ^{151, 152}Eu and ^{152, 153}Eu are deduced. The absolute values of the hyperfine anomaly in both cases are unusually large: 5 (1)%. The possible sources causing these anomalies are discussed.     

Cross sections of the photoneutron reaction for <Superscript>141</Superscript>Pr and <Superscript>186</Superscript>W nuclei,estimated from physical criteria of data reliability

Using objective physical criteria for data reliability, cross sections of partial photoneutron reactions (γ, 1n), (γ, 2n) and (γ, 3n) that are free of the shortcomings of neutron multiplicity sorting methods used on beams of quasimonoenergetic annihilation photons are obtained for ¹⁴¹Pr and ¹⁸⁶W nuclei. Evaluation is performed using the experimental–theoretical method (ETM), based on the experimental cross section of neutron yield reaction σ^exp(γ, xn) = σ^exp(γ, 1n) + 2 σ^exp(γ, 2ⁿ) + 3 σexp(γ, 3n) + … and ratios F _i ^theor= σ^theor(γ, in)/σ^theor(γ, xn) calculated within the combined model (CM) of photonuclear reactions, which stipulates that σ^eval(γ, in) = F _i ^theor σ^exp(γ, xn). It is found that for ¹⁴¹Pr and ¹⁸⁶W, ratios F ^exp _i do not contradict the data reliability criteria only at energies up to ~21 and ~22 MeV, respectively. At the same time, there are notable discrepancies between F _i ^theor and F ^exp _i, and thus between the evaluated and experimental cross sections of reactions. It is shown that the discrepancies between the evaluated and experimental cross sections are due to the assumed unreliable experimental distribution of neutrons in the channels with multiplicities 1, 2, and 3.     

Investigating the Double Beta Decay of <Superscript>58</Superscript>Ni

Double beta decay (β + EC, EC/EC) of ⁵⁸Ni is investigated at France’s Modane Underground Laboratory (4800 m water equivalent) using the OBELIX ultralow-background HPGe detector with a sensitive volume of 600 cm³ and a natural nickel sample of ~68% 58Ni with a mass of ~21.7 kg. After preliminary analysis of the experimental data accumulated over ~144 days, new experimental limits are obtained for the 2νβ⁺EC decay of ⁵⁸Ni to the 0⁺ ground state and the 2 ₁ ⁺ , 811 keV excited state of ⁵⁸Fe, and for the 2νEC/EC decay of ⁵⁸Ni to the 2 ₁ ⁺ , 811 keV and 2 ₂ ⁺ , 1675 keV excited states of ⁵⁸Fe. The limits are T_1/2(β⁺EC,0→0⁺) > 1.7 × 10²² yr, T_1/2(β⁺EC,0→2 ₁ ⁺ ) > 2.3 × 10²² yr, T_1/2(EC/EC,0→2 ₁ ⁺ ) > 3.3 × 10²² yr, and T_1/2(EC/EC,0→2 ₂ ⁺ ) > 3.4 × 10²² yr. Experimental limit T_1/2(0νEC/EC–res, 1918 keV > 4.1 × 10²² yr is obtained for resonant neutrinoless radiative EC/EC decay with an energy of 1918.3 keV. All limits are at 90% CL.     

Experimental Study and Analysis of Absorption Spectra of Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Ions in Nickel Orthoborate Ni<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The results of studies of the absorption spectra of nickel orthoborate Ni₃(BO₃)₂ in the range of electronic d–d-transitions are reported. The obtained data are analyzed in the framework of the crystal field theory. The Ni²⁺ ions are located in two crystallographically nonequivalent positions 2a and 4f with point symmetry groups C_2h and C₂, respectively, surrounded by six oxygen ions forming deformed octahedra. The absorption spectra exhibit three intense bands corresponding to spin-resolved transitions from the ground state of nickel ion ³A_2g (³F) to the sublevels of the ³T_2g (³F), ³T_1g (³F) and ³T_1g (³P) triplets split by the spinorbit interaction and the rhombic component of the crystal field. At temperatures below 100 K, the spectra exhibit a thin structure, in which phonon-free lines can be distinguished. Comparison of the calculated frequencies of the zero-phonon transitions with the experimental data allows estimating parameters of the crystal field acting on the nickel ions in the 2a- and 4f-positions, as well as the parameters of electrostatic interaction between the 3d electrons and spin-orbit interaction constants.     

Specific features of the three-electron <Emphasis Type="Italic">KL</Emphasis><Stack><Subscript>2, 3</Subscript><Superscript>2</Superscript></Stack> ionization of silicon atoms upon near-threshold photoabsorption

The shape and relative intensity of the group of the Kα_5–8 satellites (radiative transitions KL _{2, 3} ² )-L _{2, 3} ³ of Si atoms are experimentally studied upon photoabsorption near and far from the KL _{2, 3} ² ionization threshold. The satellites were excited near the ionization threshold by lines of the characteristic L spectrum and bremsstrahlung radiation from Nb and Mo anodes and far from the threshold by the L spectrum and bremsstrahlung radiation from an Ag anode and by monochromatized Kα_{1, 2} radiation from a Ti anode. It is established that the probability P(L _{2, 3} ² ) of formation of two additional 2p vacancies during KL _{2, 3} ² photoabsorption of Si atoms near the energy threshold is by a factor of 1.5 lower than that during photoionization in a more distant energy region beyond the threshold. At the same time, the P(L _{2, 3} ² )/P(L _{2, 3}) ratio remains invariable for the absorbed photons throughout the energy range studied. It is demonstrated that, as the KL _{2, 3} ² ionization threshold is approached, an intensity redistribution occurs among the components of the group of the Kα_5–8 lines, which reflects a decrease in the excitation cross section ratio σ(⁴ P)/σ(² P) of the ⁴ P and ² P terms of the KL _{2, 3} ² configuration. A conclusion is drawn that the effects of suppression of the generation of P terms of higher multiplicity during the KL _{2, 3} and KL _{2, 3} ² near-threshold photoionizations are of a common nature.     

Optical characteristics of radiation from N<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>*</Superscript></Stack> dimers in a barrier discharge

The spectral and power characteristics of radiation of the second positive system of nitrogen (C ³Π _u → B ³Π _g ) in Ar-N₂ and Ar-N₂-Cl₂ mixtures excited by barrier discharge have been studied experimentally. Addition of argon to N₂ increased the radiation power by sixfold. In the triple mixture Ar-N₂-Cl₂ = 210/0.5/0.005, minor chlorine additions increased the intensity of the C ³Π _u → _B ³Π _g transition by 26% compared to Ar-N₂ mixtures. Radiation power density of 2.7 mW/cm² has been achieved. In both binary and triple mixtures, the second positive system of nitrogen was the major contributor to radiation, while the contributions of the fourth positive system of N ₂ ^* (D ³Σ _u ⁺ → B ³Π _g ), the Vegard-Kaplan transition of N ₂ ^* (A ³Σ _u ⁺ → X ¹Σ _g ⁺ ), and the D′ → A′ band of Cl ₂ ^* were negligibly small.     

Spectra and mean energies of prompt neutrons from <Superscript>238</Superscript>U fission induced by primary neutrons of energy in the region <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript><20 MeV

The time-of-flight technique is used to measure the ratios R(E, E _n )=N(E, E _n )/N_Cf(E) of the normalized (to unity) spectra N(E, E _n ) of neutrons accompanying the neutron-induced fission of ²³⁸U at primary-neutron energies of E _n =6.0 and 7.0 MeV to the spectrum N_Cf(E) neutrons from the spontaneous fission of ²⁵²Cf. These experimental data and the results of their analysis are discussed together with data that were previously obtained for the neutron-induced fission of ²³⁸U at the primary energies of E _n =2.9, 5.0, 13.2, 14.7, 16.0, and 17.7 MeV.     

Study of absorption spectra of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in KTaO<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystals

The first results of the study of optical absorption spectra of KTaO₃: Er³⁺ crystals are presented. In the 350–660-nm region, lines are observed deriving from intraconfigurational electronic transitions from the ⁴ I _15/2 ground state to levels of the ⁴ F _9/2, ⁴ S _3/2, ² H _11/2, ⁴ F _7/2, ⁴ F _5/2(⁴ F _3/2), ² G _9/2, and ⁴ G _11/2 excited states of the Er³⁺ ions. A comprehensive study of transitions to the ⁴ F _9/2, ⁴ S _3/2, ² H _11/2, and ⁴ F _7/2 levels at 77 K is carried out. The number of lines observed for the above transitions fits the theoretically possible number for ?-? electronic transitions in Er³⁺ ions in the cubic crystal field. In the case of a differently charged substituted ion, this situation occurs only under nonlocal impurity charge compensation. The energies of the excited state levels for the transitions under study are determined.     

Adiabatic elastic moduli in ZnSe : Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and ZnSe : V<Superscript>2+</Superscript> crystals

The temperature dependences of the elastic moduli C ₄₄ (C ₁₁ ? C ₁₂)/2 and C _l = (C ₁₁ + C ₁₂ + 2C ₄₄)/2 of ZnSe : V²⁺ (impurity concentration, 6 × 10¹⁸ cm^?3) and ZnSe : Mn²⁺ (9.4 × 10²⁰ cm^?3) are measured in the temperature range 1.4–100.0 K at frequencies of 52 and 156 MHz. The temperature dependences of the adiabatic elastic moduli are derived. It is established that softening of the symmetry modules is observed only in the crystal with an impurity having orbitally degenerate states.     

Line shape of <Superscript>57</Superscript>Co sources exhibiting self absorption

The effect of selfabsorption in Mössbauer sources is studied in detail. Spectra were measured using an old ⁵⁷ C o/R h source of 74M B q activity with an original activity of ca. 3.7G B q and a 0.15G B q ⁵⁷ C o/α ? F e source magnetized by an in-plane magnetic field of 0.2 T. The ⁵⁷ C o/α ? F e source of a thickness of 25 μ was used both from the active and the inactive side giving cause to very different selfabsorption effects. The absorber was a single crystal of ferrous ammonium sulphate hexahydrate (FAS). Its absorption properties were taken over from a detailed study (Bull et al., Hyperfine Interact. 94(1–3), 1; Spiering et al. 2). FAS (space group P21/c) crystallizes as flat plates containing the (\(\overline {2}\)01) plane. The γ-direction was orthogonal to the crystal plate. The ⁵⁷ C o atoms of the ⁵⁷ C o/R h source were assumed to be homogeneously distributed over a 6μ thick Rh foil and to follow a one dimensional diffusion profile in the 25 μ Fe-foil. The diffusion length was fitted to 10 μ. The theory follows the Blume-Kistner equations for forward scattering (Blume and Kistner, Phys. Rev. 171, 417, 3) by integrating over the source sampled up to 128 layers.