Polarized gamma ray investigation of iron disulphide (pyrite)

Mössbauer absorption of Fe⁵⁷, for four equivalent but differently oriented sites, in naturally occuring FeS₂ (pyrite) crystals has been studied in the ideal absorber thickness, as a function of the orientation of the crystal axes with respect to the linearly polarized gamma rays from Co⁵⁷/LiNbO₃ source and the direction of the polarization. E$\text{x}$perimental peak area ratio of ～ 1 in the polycrystalline absorber and the monocrystalline absorbers is independent of the crystal orientation. The analysis of the present experiment shows that the Mössbauer fraction, f, is isotropic and that the asymmetry parameter, η, is zero.     

s- and p-wave neutron spectroscopy Xc. Intermediate structure: 88Sr

Neutron total cross section measurements of natural Sr were made from 50–875 keV using a high resolution proton beam and the ⁷Li(p, n) reaction as a neutron source. These data were analyzed with the help of an R-Matrix code to extract resonance (energies and other) parameters up to about 850 keV. 2p-1h and particle-vibration doorway interpretation of the s-, p- and d-wave resonances is attempted in terms of the sum rule Σγ_n² = γ_d². Predictions based on both of these models agree with the experimental results. As expected the p-wave resonances are stronger than either s- and d-wave structure. Theory accounts for the p-wave strength remarkably well. Possible location of the p-wave s.p. resonance is reproduced with a real potential and its damping due to the imaginary potential is calculated.More fragmentation of the strong p-wave doorways is observed than was expected for a compound nucleus so near ⁹⁰Zr, but a larger strength function is observed apparently due to the p-wave giant resonance.     

Decay of 83Sr and level structure of 83Rb

The excited states of the ⁸³Rb nucleus were investigated in radioactive decay of ⁸³Sr. The level scheme was established and for a number of levels spin-parity assignments are suggested on the basis of log ft values and γ-branching ratios. Combining with the high-spin states observed by the in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy of a previous decay work, the structure of the excited states of ⁸³Rb is discussed in the framework of the projected shell model. Received: 17 November 1999 / Accepted: 11 December 2000     

Neutron spectra coincident with discrete gamma rays in π− capture on 165Ho and 181Ta

Neutron spectra from π^?-capture in medium-heavy nuclei are presented in coincidence with discrete nuclear gamma rays to exhibit possible correlations of the spectra to neutron multiplicity and residual nuclear states. A discrete component in the pre-compound neutron spectra is resolved for the first time, and its correlation to the population of high spin nuclear states is observed.     

Spectroscopic determination of the s-wave scattering lengths of 86Sr and 88Sr

We report the use of photoassociative spectroscopy to determine the ground-state s-wave scattering lengths for the main bosonic isotopes of strontium, 86Sr and 88Sr. Photoassociative transitions are driven with a laser red detuned by up to 1400 GHz from the 1S0-1P1 atomic resonance at 461 nm. A minimum in the transition amplitude for 86Sr at -494 +/- 5 GHz allows us to determine the scattering lengths 610a0 < a86 < 2300a0 for 86Sr and a much smaller value of -1a0 < a88 < 13a0 for 88Sr.     

Unveiling the secrets of gamma ray bursts

Gamma Ray Bursts are unpredictable and brief flashes of gamma rays that occur about once a day in random locations in the sky. Since gamma rays do not penetrate the Earth's atmosphere, they are detected by satellites, which automatically trigger ground-based telescopes for follow-up observations at longer wavelengths. In this introduction to Gamma Ray Bursts we review how building a multi-wavelength picture of these events has revealed that they are the most energetic explosions since the Big Bang and are connected with stellar deaths in other galaxies. However, in spite of exceptional observational and theoretical progress in the last 15 years, recent observations raise many questions which challenge our understanding of these elusive phenomena. Gamma Ray Bursts therefore remain one of the hottest topics in modern astrophysics.     

Accurate determination of the pKωK value and the fluorescence yield ωK of Sr after electron capture decay of88Y

Thep _K ω _K value of Sr following⁸⁸Y decay has been determined to bep _K ω _K =0.613±0.004 using two independent methods for the measurement of theK x-ray emission rate and a calibrated γ-ray spectrometer for the determination of the disintegration rate. With this result and aK-capture probabilityP _K =0.877±0.003 deduced from literature theK-shell fluorescence yield of Sr is ω _K =0.699±0.007.     

Gamma-ray spectra and level structure of Cr from thermal neutron capture in Cr

Gamma-ray measurements have been made of the ⁵⁴Cr(n, γ)⁵⁵ Cr reaction at the Livermore reactor. Spectra were taken with Ge(Li) Compton-suppression and pair-coincidence spectrometers. A total of 83 observed γ-rays are attributed to capture in ⁵⁴Cr, of which 26 are assigned to specific transitions among 10 inferred levels in ⁵⁵Cr. The neutron binding energy is determined to be 6246.3 ± 0.4 keV.     

Investigation of 88Sr in the reaction Sr(n, n′γ)

With the aid of a beam of fast reactor neutrons, the gamma-ray spectrum and angular distributions of gamma rays with respect to the neutron-beam axis are measured in the reaction Sr(n, n′γ) along with the lifetimes of ⁸⁸Sr levels. Values of the multipole-mixture parameter δ are found for gamma transitions between levels.     

Measurement of the electric quadrupole moment of the 4d2D5/2 level in 88Sr+

The quadrupole moment of the 4d (2)D(5/2) level in 88Sr+ has been measured to be 2.6(3)ea(2)(0), where a(0) is the Bohr radius and e the elementary charge. A single laser-cooled strontium ion was confined in an end cap trap with a variable dc quadrupole potential, and measurements were made on the 5s (2)S(1/2)-4d (2)D(5/2) transition at 674 nm using a femtosecond optical frequency comb. This work shows that measurements of the unperturbed 88Sr+ transition frequency with sub-Hz uncertainty are possible and is important in understanding the reproducibility of ion trap optical frequency standards.     

Parities of strong dipole ground state transitions in88Sr

By on-line mass separation and subsequent gamma and electron decay-spectroscopy at very low energy, two new isomers,^124mCs (T_1/2=6.3 ±0.3 seconds) and^127mBa (T_1/2=1.9±0.2 seconds) have been identified.     

Study of the level structure of239U using the thermal neutron capture reaction

For the investigation of vibrational states in odd A nuclei we have studied the level structure of²³⁹U by the²³⁸U (n _thermal,γ) reaction. Various complementary measurement techniques as curved-crystal-, anti-Compton-,γ-γ coincidence- and conversion electron spectroscopy have been applied. The resulting data have been used to establish the deexcitation scheme of²³⁹U up to ～1.3 MeV and to make spin assignments. Most of the levels are interpreted in terms of the Nilsson model. The data also indicate the presence of the Nilsson states ¦501?¦ and ¦750¦. Three members of theΒ-vibrational band built on the ¦631?¦ state and one member of theΒ-vibration built on the ¦622↑¦ ground state have been identified through transitions with strongE0 admixtures. The octupole vibrational state built on the ¦631?¦ band is proposed at 815 keV.     

Neutron diffraction investigation of specific features of the structure of ultrafine (nano) materials

The specific features of the atomic crystal structure of solids with small (<100 nm) sizes of particles in ultrafine (nano) powders have been investigated. It has been shown that, in contrast to the case of coarsegrained materials, distortions of the atomic order occur as an inhomogeneous deformation in surface layers. The distributions of impurity atoms (in the case of a solid solution) and the second phase (in the case of multiphase systems) from the center to the periphery are also inhomogeneous. The atomic distribution function along the radius of a nanoparticle, which characterizes its atomic structure as intermediate between the crystalline and amorphous structures, has been constructed.     

Neutron capture gamma-rays from the low-lying resonances of 54Fe

Neutron capture γ-rays have been observed from the low-lying resonances of ⁵⁴Fe using the Harwell electron linear accelerator HELIOS as a neutron source. Relative values for the partial radiative widths of resolved lines were obtained by area analysis of the γ-rays peaks over neutron resonance regions, and absolute values were obtained by a shape analysis fit to the yield deduced by comparison with a ¹⁰B(n, αγ)⁷Li measurement. For the 7.8 keV s-wave resonance, a comparison of the partial widths with the predictions of the valence model has been made. In both relative and absolute senses, there is good agreement.     

Trigger design for a gamma ray detector of HIRFL-ETF

The Gamma Ray Array Detector (GRAD) is one subsystem of HIRFL-ETF (the External Target Facility (ETF) of the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL)). It is capable of measuring the energy of gamma-rays with 1024 CsI scintillators in in-beam nuclear experiments. The GRAD trigger should select the valid events and reject the data from the scintillators which are not hit by the gamma-ray. The GRAD trigger has been developed based on the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGAs) and PXI interface. It makes prompt trigger decisions to select valid events by processing the hit signals from the 1024 CsI scintillators. According to the physical requirements, the GRAD trigger module supplies 12-bit trigger information for the global trigger system of ETF and supplies a trigger signal for data acquisition (DAQ) system of GRAD. In addition, the GRAD trigger generates trigger data that are packed and transmitted to the host computer via PXI bus to be saved for off-line analysis. The trigger processing is implemented in the front-end electronics of GRAD and one FPGA of the GRAD trigger module. The logic of PXI transmission and reconfiguration is implemented in another FPGA of the GRAD trigger module. During the gamma-ray experiments, the GRAD trigger performs reliably and efficiently. The function of GRAD trigger is capable of satisfying the physical requirements.     

Interaction of 80 MeV12C with88Sr; Neutron transfer,inelastic scattering and spin alignment of the 2+ State of12C

Level structure of¹⁰²Cd has been studied via both¹⁰²In decay and nuclear reactions. Using⁹²Mo+¹⁴N at 86 MeV, the nucleus¹⁰²In was identified and its decay (T _1/2=24 ±4s) studied with the aid of on-line mass separation techniques. Levels of¹⁰²Cd were also populated with⁹²Mo+¹²C at 50 MeV and¹⁰²Pd+³He at 35 MeV reactions and investigated by means of standard in-beam techniques. A level scheme including states up to 4.5 MeV excitation energy is proposed and then discussed in the frame of available calculations.     

Neutron diffraction investigation of the magnetic structure of the Mn2Sb pnictide at high pressures

This paper reports on the results of investigations into the influence of high pressures (up to 5.3 GPa) at T=300 K on the magnetic structure of the Mn₂Sb pnictide. The crystal and magnetic structures of the Mn₂Sb compound are studied using a direct neutron diffraction method. It is demonstrated that the magnetic ferrimagnet-antiferromagnet phase transition, which is observed in a number of Mn₂Sb-based substitutional solid solutions upon chemical compression of the Mn₂Sb crystal lattice, does not occur in the Mn₂Sb compound under high pressures in the aforementioned range due to an anisotropic pressure-stimulated strain in the Mn₂Sb lattice. At pressures P≥2.8 GPa, the Mn₂Sb compound is characterized by a spin reorientation with respect to the tetragonal axis and the basal plane of the crystal lattice.