High-lying excited states in <Superscript>10</Superscript>Be from the <Superscript>9</Superscript>Be(<Superscript>9</Superscript>Be,<Superscript>10</Superscript>Be)<Superscript>8</Superscript>Be reaction

A transfer-reaction experiment of ⁹Be(⁹Be, ¹⁰Be)⁸Be was performed at a beam energy of 45 MeV. Excited states in ¹⁰Be up to 18.80 MeV are produced using missing mass and invariant mass methods. Most of the observed high-lying resonant states, reconstructed from the α + ⁶He and t + ⁷Li decay channels, agree with the previously reported results. In addition, two new resonances at 15.6 and 18.8 MeV are identified from the present measurement. The 18.55 MeV state is found to decay into both the t + ⁷Li_g.s. and t + ⁷Li* (0.478 MeV) channels, with a relative branching ratio of 0.93 ± 0.33. Further theoretical investigations are encouraged to interpret this new information on cluster structure in neutron-rich light nuclei.     

Structure of the spatial periphery of the <Superscript>11</Superscript>Li and <Superscript>11</Superscript>Be isobars

On the basis of the shell model with an extended basis, the structure of ⁹Li-⁹Be to ¹¹Li-¹¹Be nuclei is examined with allowance for the competition of ^jj coupling and Majorana exchange forces via considering the sequential addition of neutrons, and the respective wave functions are determined. A formalism for calculating the spectroscopic factor for a dineutron and for individual neutrons in nuclei whose wave functions incorporate the mixing of shell configurations is developed. The reactions ⁹Li(t, p)¹¹Li and ⁹Be(t, p)¹¹Be treated with allowance for the mechanisms of dineutron stripping and a sequential transfer of two neutrons are considered as an indicator of the proposed structure of lithium and berylliumisotopes. The parameters of the optical potentials, the wave functions for the bound states of transferred particles, and the interaction potentials corresponding to them are determined from a comparison of the theoretical angular distribution of protons from the reaction ⁹Be(t, p)¹¹Be with its experimental counterpart. It is shown that a dineutron periphery of size about 6.4 fm is present in the ¹¹Li nucleus and that a single-neutron periphery of size about 8 fm is present in the ¹¹Be nucleus.     

One-nucleon spectroscopy of light nuclei

The capabilities and limitations of the conventional many-particle shell model and modern potential cluster models are discussed. New revaluated and more accurate calculations of one-nucleon spectroscopic characteristics of the light nuclei of 1p shell are presented. In many-particle shell model for nuclei with A = 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 nucleon partial widths of highly excited states with the isotopic spin T = 3/2 were calculated both for “allowed” and “forbidden” transitions. One-nucleon spectroscopic factors were calculated in threebody multicluster models of ⁶Li{αnp}, ⁸Li{αtn}, and ⁹Be{ααn} nuclei. For isobar-analogue nuclei ⁷Li and ⁷Be, the spectroscopic proton S _p and neutron S _n factors for transitions to the ground and excited states of corresponding residue nuclei of the triplet ⁶Li-⁶He-⁶Be were calculated in the framework of binary potential αtand ατ models. Integral, differential and polarization characteristics of photonuclear processes ⁷Li(γ, n ₀)⁶Li, ⁶He(p, γ_{0 + 1})⁷Li, ⁷Li(γ, p ₀)⁶He, and ⁹Be(γ, p _{0 + 1})⁸Li were calculated in this approach.     

First results of the observation of <Superscript>7</Superscript>Be solar neutrinos with the BOREXINO detector

The results of a direct measurement of the counting rate for solar neutrinos from the electron-capture process on ⁷Be, ⁷Be(e ^?, ν _e )⁷Li(E _ν = 0.862 MeV), with the low-background scintillation detector BOREXINO are presented. This is the first ever real-time observation of a signal from solar neutrinos of energy below 1 MeV. The counting rate for monoenergetic beryllium neutrinos in the BOREXINO detector proved to be 47 ± 7 (stat.) ± 12 (syst.) counts/(day × 100 t), which is in agreement with the predictions of the standard solar model and the hypothesis of neutrino oscillations in matter with parameters in the LMA region.     

Searching for rare cluster configurations of <Superscript>14</Superscript>C nuclei in the pion absorption reaction

Analysis of the two-dimensional Dalitz plot measured in the reaction ¹⁴C(π^–, pd)X allows us to follow the absorption of pions by cluster ³p and identify signs of the configuration ³p + ¹¹Li in the ¹⁴C nucleus. The highly excited state of ^12,13Be beryllium isotopes with excitation energies E* ≈ 30 MeV and which decay with the emission of hydrogen isotopes is observed for the first time: ¹²Be* → p + ¹¹Li and ¹³Be* → d + ¹¹Li.     

Spectroscopy of the <Superscript>5</Superscript>H superheavy hydrogen isotope

The formation of the ⁵H superheavy hydrogen isotope was experimentally sought in the reactions induced by stopped π^? mesons absorbed by ⁹Be nuclei. Peaks in missing-mass spectra were observed in two reaction channels, ⁹Be(π^?, pt)X and ⁹Be(π^?, dd)X, and were attributed to the ⁵H resonance states. The lowest state has parameters Er=5.5±0.2 MeV and Г=5.4±0.5 MeV [E_r is the resonance energy measured from the (triton + two neutrons) threshold]. Therefore, ⁵H is bound more weakly than ⁴H. Excited states of ⁵H were also observed. All three resonance levels (E_1r=10.6±0.3 MeV, Г_1r=6.8±0.5 MeV; E_2r=18.5±0.4 MeV, Г_2r=4.8±1.3 MeV; E_3r=26.7±0.4 MeV, Г_3r=3.6±1.3 MeV) can decay into five free nucleons.     

Structure of neutron-rich Isotopes <Superscript>8</Superscript>Li and <Superscript>9</Superscript>Li and allowance for it in elastic scattering

The differential cross sections for elastic proton scattering on the unstable neutron-rich nuclei ⁸Li and ⁹Li at E = 700 and 60 MeV per nucleon were considered. The ⁸Li nucleus was treated on the basis of the three-body α-t-n model, while the ⁹Li nucleus was considered within the α-t-n and ⁷Li-n-n models. The cross sections in question were calculated within Glauber diffraction theory. A comparison of the results with available experimental data made it possible to draw conclusions on the quality of the wave functions and potential used in the calculations.     

Excess neutron nucleus <Superscript>11</Superscript>Be as a product of reaction (<Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>)

The (t, p) reaction on the ⁹Be nucleus is analyzed using the mechanisms of dineutron stripping and ⁸Li heavy cluster stripping. It is shown that in the shell model, the wave function of the ¹¹Be(1/2⁺) nucleus formed by adding two neutrons to the 9Be nucleus is constructed from a ¹⁰Be(0⁺) core and a 2s-neutron. This concept of the ¹¹Be(1/2⁺) structure allows us to calculate the reduced width of tritium and a dineutron with a relative orbital angular momentum equal to 1. The differential cross section of the (t, p) reaction is calculated with allowance for the contribution from both mechanisms. The agreement between the theoretical and experimental cross sections of dineutron stripping at narrow angles θ_p confirms the shell model can be used to describe the states of nuclei with complex structure and mixed configurations of different shells.     

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 comparative analysis of the density distributions and the structure models of <Superscript>9</Superscript>Li

In the present study, we have analysed the elastic scattering cross-section data of ⁹Li + ¹²C system at E _lab = 540 MeV and ⁹Li + ²⁰⁸Pb system at E _c.m. = 28.3 MeV for some cluster models and various density distributions of the ⁹Li nucleus. First, we have obtained five different density distributions of the ⁹Li nucleus to generate real potentials with the help of double-folding model. For these densities, we have calculated the elastic scattering angular distributions. Secondly, using a simple approach, we have investigated some cluster models of the ⁹Li nucleus consisting of ⁶He + ³H and ⁸Li + n systems. We have presented the comparison of elastic scattering angular distributions for each system with each other as well as with the experimental data. Finally, we have given the cross-section values obtained from the theoretical calculations for all the systems studied in this paper.     

Scattering of <Emphasis Type="Italic">π</Emphasis><Superscript>±</Superscript> mesons on a <Superscript>9</Superscript>Be nucleus in the Δ<Subscript>33</Subscript>-resonance region

Within the Glauber diffraction theory of multiple scattering, the differential cross sections for the elastic and inelastic scattering of π^± mesons are calculated for energies in the range between 130 and 260 MeV. This is the region where the broad Δ₃₃ resonance in the π^±N system occurs, the maximum corresponding to this resonance being at approximately 165 MeV. The wave function for the ⁹Be nucleus was chosen on the basis of the 2αN multicluster model. The sensitivity of the resulting differential cross sections to the target-nucleus wave functions computed with various intercluster-interaction potentials, to the contributions of wave-function components, and to various scattering multiplicities in the Glauber operator Ω is analyzed. A comparison with experimental data and with the results of other calculations is performed, and conclusions concerning the quality of the wave functions used and advantages of the present approach are drawn.     

The formation of the superheavy hydrogen isotope <Superscript>6</Superscript>H in the absorption of stopped π<Superscript>−</Superscript>-mesons by nuclei

An experimental search for the superheavy hydrogen isotope ⁶H was conducted through studying the absorption of stopped π^?-mesons by ⁹Be and ¹¹B nuclei. A structure in the missing mass spectrum caused by the resonance states of ⁶H was observed in three reaction channels, namely, ⁹Be(π^?, pd)X, ¹¹B(π^?, d³He)X, and ¹¹B(π^?, p⁴He)X. The parameters of the lowest state E_r=6.6±0.7 MeV and Γ=5.5±2.0 MeV (E_r is the resonance energy with respect to the disintegration into the triton and three neutrons) are evidence that ⁶H is a more weakly bound system than ⁴H and ⁵H. Three excited states of ⁶H were observed. Their resonance levels (E_1r=10.7±0.7 MeV, Γ_1r=4±2 MeV, E_2r=15.3±0.7 MeV, Γ _2r=3±2 MeV, and E_3r=21.3±0.4 MeV, Γ_3r=3.5±1.0 MeV) are energetically capable of disintegrating into six free nucleons.     

Hard antineutrino source based on a lithium blanket: A version for the accelerator target

The β^–-active ⁸Li isotope has a hard and well-defined antineutrino spectrum (E _ν ^max= 13.0 MeV, E _ν= 6.5 MeV) that ensures the reliable detection of the threshold reactions (ν _e, p) and (ν _e, d). An intense ν _e source is proposed within a scheme comprising an accelerator with a neutron-producing target and a lithium blanket. The density analysis of ⁸Li production in this blanket shows that the mass of highly pure ⁷Li can be reduced to 100–200 kg, as compared to ~19.5 t in the option with metallic ⁷Li, and the size of the source can be decreased by a factor of ~2.5, which is important for the proposed short-base experiments on the search for sterile neutrinos.     

Investigation of low-lying levels of the <Stack><Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>8</Superscript></Stack>Be nucleus in the multiquantum approximation of the orthogonal scheme

In the multiquantum approximation of the orthogonal scheme, specific calculations for the energies and radii of the ₄ ⁸ Be nucleus are performed with allowance for all states characterized by the λ=[44] Young diagram, the quantum numbers K_min and K_min+2 of the O(3(A?1)) group, and the quantum numbers E=K+2N (N≤9) of the U(3(A?1)) group. The convergence of the results with respect to the extension of the basis is studied, and the structure of relevant wave functions is revealed. The results of these calculations are compared with the results obtained in the analogous approximation of the unitary scheme.     

Study of the Involvement of <Superscript>8</Superscript>Be and <Superscript>9</Superscript>B Nuclei in the Dissociation of Relativistic <Superscript>10</Superscript>C, <Superscript>10</Superscript>B,and <Superscript>12</Superscript>C Nuclei

The results obtained by estimating the contribution of 8Be and 9B nuclei to the coherent dissociation of ¹⁰C, ¹⁰B, and ¹²C relativistic nuclei in nuclear track emulsions (“white” stars) are presented. The selection of white stars accompanied by 9B leads to a distinct peak appearing in the distribution of the excitation energy of 2α2p ensembles and having a maximum at 4.1 ± 0.3 MeV. A 8Be nucleus manifests itself in the coherent-dissociation reaction ¹⁰B → ²He + H with a probability of (25 ± 5)%, (14 ± 3)% of it being due to 9B decays. The ratio of the branching fractions of the ⁹B + n and ⁹Be + p mirror channels is estimated at 6 ± 1. An analysis of the relativistic dissociation of ¹²C nuclei in a nuclear track emulsion revealed nine 3α events corresponding to the Hoyle state.     

Specific features of optical absorption in rare-earth orthoaluminate DyAlO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Polarization spectra of optical absorption of the 4f-4f transition ⁶ H _15/2 → ⁶ F _3/2 in the rare-earth orthoaluminate DyAlO₃ are theoretically and experimentally studied at the temperature T=78 K. It is shown that the nontrivial character of the anisotropy of the polarization absorption spectra at low temperatures can be explained by the J-J mixing of excited multiplets of the 4f ⁹ configuration of Dy³⁺ ions in a low-symmetry crystal field of the orthoaluminate structure. The energy and wave functions of the Stark sublevels within the excited ⁶ F _5/2 multiplet in the 4f ⁹ configuration of the Dy³⁺ rare-earth ion in the crystal field of C _s symmetry are numerically calculated.     

The reactions N14(n, α)B11 and N14(n,t)C12 observed with a gridded ionization chamber

The cross sections for the reactions N¹⁴(n, α)B¹¹ and N¹⁴(n, t)C¹² have been measured in the neutron energy range 4.0 to 6.4 MeV and at 2.5 MeV. Mono-energetic neutrons were produced in the D(d, n) He³ reaction using a gas target. The (n, α) and (n, t) disintegrations were detected in a gridded ionization chamber filled with an argonnitrogen mixture. The response of the chamber under different operation conditions is described. The excitation functions, measured with a neutron energy resolution of 40 to 50 keV, are given for theα ₀ group from the N¹⁴(n,α)B¹¹ reaction over the entire neutron energy range and for theα ₁ group and the t₀ group from N¹⁴(n, t) C¹² for neutron energies above 4.3 and 5.6 MeV, respectively.     

Two-Neutron Alignment in <Superscript>127</Superscript>Xe

High spin states in ¹²⁷Xe have been investigated via ⁹Be induced fusion-evaporation reaction at 48 MeV. Spin and parity of excited states up to \( \sim \frac {47}{2} \hbar \) have been confirmed from angular correlation and linear polarization results. Rotational alignment of the second pair of h _11/2 neutrons has been observed at \(\hbar \omega \sim \) 0.44 MeV; beyond that, the band is associated with ν[h _11/2]³ configuration. The alignment phenomena has been discussed in comparison with the neighboring ^125,129Xe.     

Total reaction cross sections measurement for <Superscript>6,8</Superscript>He and <Superscript>8,9</Superscript>Li nuclei with energies of (25–45)/<Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> MeV on <Superscript>nat</Superscript>Al and <Superscript>nat</Superscript>Pb

Preliminary results of measurements of the total reaction cross sections σ_R for weakly-bound ^6,8He and ^8,9Li nuclei at energy range (25–45)/A MeV on ²⁷Al and ²⁰⁸Pb targets are presented. The secondary beams of ^6,8He and ^8,9Li were produced by bombardment of the ¹¹B (33 A MeV) primary beam on Be (89 mg cm^–2) target and separated by COMBAS fragment-separator. In dispersive focal plane a horizontal slit defined the momentum acceptance as 1% and a wedge degrader of 200 μm Al was installed. The B_ρ of the second section of the fragment-separator was adjusted for measurements in energy range (25–45)/A MeV. The secondary products were detected by a telescope consisting of two Si ΔE detectors 300, 1000 μm and E-detector, which consisted of nine CsI/Tl granules.     

Generation of MeV photons and protons in laser picosecond plasmas

The results of experiments devoted to studying the generation of MeV photons and protons in picosecond laser plasmas at a laser beam intensity of 10¹⁸ W/cm² on Be, Ta, LiF and H⁷Li targets are presented. Nuclear reactions (γ, n) and (p, n) were used to detect MeV photons and protons. The number of MeV photons and protons generated in laser plasmas was found from the measured neutron yield. Possibilities of particle acceleration due to the formation of pinch structures in laser plasmas are discussed. Calculated and experimental results are compared.