Search for solar <Emphasis Type="Italic">pp</Emphasis> neutrinos with an upgrade of CTF detector

The possibility of using ultrapure liquid organic scintillator as a low-energy solar neutrino detector is discussed. The detector with an active volume of 10 t and 4π coverage will count 1.8 pp neutrinos and 5.4 ⁷Be neutrinos per day with an energy threshold of 170 keV for the recoil electrons. The evaluation of the detector sensitivity and backgrounds is based on the results obtained by the Borexino collaboration with the Counting Test Facility (CTF). The detector can be build at the LNGS underground laboratory as an upgrade of the CTF detector using already developed technologies.     

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.     

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.     

Search for resonant absorption of solar axions emitted in an <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>1 transition in <Superscript>57</Superscript>Fe nuclei

The resonant absorption of solar axions by ⁵⁷Fe nuclei, which is accompanied by the excitation of the first excited nuclear level: A + ⁵⁷Fe → ⁵⁷Fe* → ⁵⁷Fe + γ(14.4 keV), is sought. To seek 14.4-keV photons, a Si(Li) detector and an enriched ⁵⁷Fe target are used. The detector and target are placed in a low-background setup equipped with passive and active shieldings. As a result, a new upper limit m _A ≤ 360 eV (at 90% C.L.) has been determined for the axion mass.     

Niederenergetische Gammalinien vom Neutroneneinfang in Lu 175 und Lu 176

The low energy gamma-rays from neutron-capture in Lu 175 and Lu 176 have been investigated by means of the bent crystal-spectrometer at the DR-3-reactor at Risø. From the transitions in Lu 177 3 rotational bands have been determined. The levels of the (404)K=7/2⁺ groundstate rotational band are: 121,62 keV (I=9/2), 268,79keV (I=11/2), 440,66 keV (I=13/2), 636,22 keV (I=15/2), 854,34 keV (I=17/2). The level-sequence of the (514)K=9/2^?-band is: 150,39 keV (I=9/2), 288,99 keV (I=11/2), 451,49 keV (I=13/2), 637,05 keV (I=15/2) and 844,88 keV (I=17/2). At 457,92 keV is the basis for the (402)K=5/2⁺-band the higher levels of which are 552,05 keV (I=7/2), 671,89 keV (I=9/2), 816,63 keV (I=11/2), 985,23 keV (I=13/2), 1176,73keV (I=15/2) and probably 1389,5 keV (I=17/2). The energies of the levels apart from the 1389 keV-level have an accuracy of 7×10^?5. The energy differences between the 3 bands agree very well with the values expected from the Bohr-Mottelson-formulaE=A·I(I+1)+B·I ²(I+1)². The calculated branching-ratios within the 3 bands are in fairly good agreement with the experimental values. Theg _K -factors have been determined for 2 bands: It was found that for the (514)-bandg _K =1,16±0,04 and for the (402)-bandg _K =1,33±0,07.     

Search for solar axions emitted in an <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>1 transition in <Superscript>7</Superscript>Li* nuclei

The resonance absorption of solar axions by ⁷Li nuclei, which is accompanied by the excitation of the first nuclear level of lithium a + ⁷Li → ⁷Li* → ⁷Li + γ, is sought. To this end, the energy spectrum has been measured by an HPGe detector that is surrounded by a LiOH layer. A new upper limit m_a ≤ 16 keV (at 90% C.L.) has been determined for the mass of the hadron axion.     

New Constraints on the Axion–Photon Coupling Constant for Solar Axions

Resonance excitation of the ⁸³Kr first nuclear level (E = 9.4 keV) by solar axions formed via the Primakoff mechanism is sought. The γ- and X-ray photons and the conversion and Auger electrons arising from the excited-level relaxation are detected with a gas proportional counter of a low-background detector in the underground Baksan Neutrino Observatory. The following experimental constraint is obtained for the product of the axion–photon coupling constant and the axion mass:|g_Aγ × m_A| ≤ 6.3 × 10 ^-17 In the framework of the hadronic-axion model, this corresponds to a new axion-mass constraint of m_A ≤ 12.7 eV at 95% C.L.     

Winkelkorrelationsmessungen an >30y Holmium 166 und Bestimmung desg R -Faktors des 4+-Rotationsniveaus von Erbium 166

The spins of several excited states of Er¹⁶⁶ have been investigated byγγ-angular correlation measurements. The spin sequence 0+, 2+, 4+, 6+ for the ground state rotational band was presumed to be correct. Unique assignments were derived for the states of 1076 keV, 1377 keV and 1785 keV asI=5, 7 and 6 respectively. These results are in agreement with the spins proposed byGallagher jr. andSoloviev. The multipolarities of theγ-transitions of 408 keV, 709 keV, 811 keV and 831 keV were derived as 95%E1+(5±1)%M2, 99·6%E1+(0·4±0·5)%M2, 99·1%E2+(0·9±0·3)%M1, and 96·1%E2+(3·9±1)%M1 respectively. The unusual mixing ratios of the transitions of 811 keV and 831 keV can be understood as a consequence of theK-selection rule. Eachγ-transition from the 1785 keV state should be stronglyK-forbidden and one expects a half-life ofT _1/2≈3·10^?9s. A measurement of the time spectrum of the coincidences between theβ-radiation and the high energyγ-lines gave however:T _1/2(1785 keV state)≦3·10^?10s. The rotation of the angular correlation between the 184 keV line and theγ-group at 820 keV has been measured in an external magnetic field of 53000 gauss as:ω·τ(4+)=0·083±0·006. This value contains small corrections for an additional rotation of the angular correlation of the 831 keV–184 keV triple cascade in the 6+state and for a small attenuation by internal fields. WithT _1/2(4+state)=1·23·10^?10s, andβ=7·08 one gets for theg-factorg _R=+0·266±0·024 in good agreement with recent results for the 2+ state.     

Der Zerfall des Au195m,des Hg195m und des Hg195

Theγ-radiation of Au^195m , Hg^195m and Hg¹⁹⁵ was measured with a Ge(Li)-semiconductor detector. Conversion coefficients of most transitions could be determined from the measuredγ-intensities and from already known electron intensities. Spin and parity of the corresponding niveaus and logft-values for the decay of Hg¹⁹⁵ and Hg^195m were determined. Newγ-energies (698 keV, 754 keV, 852 keV) were found in the decay of Hg^195m . With a coincidence method a value of α_tot=13±3 for the 61,5 keV-radiation of Au^195m was measured.     

Determination of absoluteK-internal conversion coefficients of some transitions in Ce140 by the internal-external conversion method

The internalK-conversion coefficients of the 331, 431, 815 and 933 keV transitions following the decay of La¹⁴⁰ have been determined absolutely by the method of comparing internal and external conversion lines measured in a double — focusing beta — ray spectrometers. TheK-internal conversion coefficients of the 4+→2+ 487 keV transition in Ce¹⁴⁰ was used to normalize relativeK-electron and gamma-ray intensities for these transitions. The results obtained are:α _K (331)=0.04432±0.00471,α _K (431)=0.28110±0.02913,α _K (815)=0.00396±0.00043,α _K (933)=0.00282±0.00031. Multipolarity assignments based on these values are suggested. The 815 keV transition is found to be pure magnetic dipole character in good agreement with the theoretical values calculated bySliv andBand. The 331 and 933 keV transitions are proved to have magnetic dipole character withE2/M1 equal 0.2852±0.0143 and 0.1750±0.0088 respectively. The 431 keV transition was found to have magnetic octupole character. The results obtained are most consistent with the assignment 2+, 4+, 2+, 3+ and 1+ for the 1597, 2084, 2184, 2410 and 2515 keV levels respectively.     

Dependence of the Daily <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis></Subscript>F2 Values over Mid-Latitude Stations on the Solar and Geomagnetic Activity

The results of studies of the dependence of the daily electron concentration at maximum of the F2 ionospheric layer in January 2008–2015 on the solar and geomagnetic activity are presented. The solar radio emission flux density indices F_10.7 and geomagnetic activity indices A _p were averaged over 27 days, and 〈F_10.7〉₂₇ and 〈A _p 〉₂₇, respectively, were obtained. Based on the data of three stations, 27-day median (with the middle of January 15) daily N _m F2 variations were obtained for 2008–2015. Based on these data, the following paradox was discovered: in January 2014, when the values of the solar activity index F_10.7 were larger than in 2015, the dailyN _m F2 values were smaller. Averaging over four hours of local daytime (10:00–14:00 LT) gave the daily average January 〈N _m F2〉 values for each selected station for each year. To solve this paradox, a double linear regression of 〈N _m F2〉 on 〈F_10.7〉₂₇ and 〈A _p 〉₂₇ was constructed. Due to this, it was concluded that the contribution of geomagnetic activity to daily January 〈N _m F2〉 values is positive. A comparison of the mean square errors of the linear and double linear regressions for 〈F_10.7〉₂₇ and 〈F_10.7〉₈₁ showed that the use of 〈F_10.7〉₂₇ led to smaller errors than the use of 〈F_10.7〉₈₁.     

Evaluation of the Integrated Cross Sections of Reactions of Exclusive Pion and Kaon Electroproduction off Protons in the Resonance Region at Photon Virtualities from 5 to 12 GeV<Superscript>2</Superscript>

The integrated cross sections of the ep → eπ⁺n, ep → eπ⁰p, ep → eK⁺Λ, and ep → eK⁺Σ⁰ reactions are evaluated in the energy range of nucleon resonance excitation at photon virtualities Q² from 5 to 12 GeV². These exclusive channels will be explored at photon virtualities Q² > 5 GeV² for the first time in future experiments with the CLAS12 detector. The cross-section evaluation is based on the extrapolation of exclusive contributions to the inclusive structure functions F₁ and F₂ from a region of Q² < 5 GeV², in which the experimental data are available, to the region of higher Q². This evaluation of cross sections is of particular importance in the development of the program of experiments with the CLAS12 detector for studying the structure of the ground and excited nucleon states, which may reveal the dynamics of strong interactions in the nonperturbative regime.     

On the 0<Superscript>+</Superscript> state with the energy of 681.3 keV in <Superscript>160</Superscript>Dy

A possibility that the 0⁺ state with the energy of 681.3 keV exists in the ¹⁶⁰Dy nucleus is discussed. Calculations based on the interacting vector boson model show that in addition to the known 0⁺ states with the number of bosons n = 2, 5, 6, and 7 there should exist other states with the number of bosons n = 1, 3, 4, and 8 in ¹⁶⁰Dy. It is shown that the peak at the energy 681.3 keV, which we experimentally observed in the ¹⁶⁰Dy internal conversion electron spectrum, can be ascribed to the 0⁺ state with the number of bosons n = 1 or n = 8.     

Die Lebensdauer des 23/2-Dreiteilchenniveaus des Hafnium 177 und sein Zerfall durchK-verbotene Gamma-Übergänge

An isomeric state of Hf¹⁷⁷ withT _1/2=(1,12±0,10)s was found by a fast chemical separation of the hafnium daughter from the 155d Lu^177m activity. We measured the same half-life by observing the delayedβ-γ-coincidences. A systematic investigation of the whole region 5s≧T _1/2≧10^?7s by the technique of delayed coincidences gave no further isomerism. We assign the observed half-life to the 23/2 three particle state of Hf¹⁷⁷ at 1315 keV and assume that the second hypothetical three particle state at 1337 keV does not exist. The 21/2 rotational state of theK=9/2 band is populated by a strongly converted 14,16 keVγ-transition from the isomeric state at 1315 keV. The 14,16 keVM _I andN _I conversion lines were observed by use of a double focusing magneticβ-spectrometer. The isomerism is caused by theK-selection rule. The retardation of the following threeγ-transitions by different degrees ofK-forbiddeness is discussed. The pulse height spectrum, measured by means of a Li-drifted Ge-detector, does not show the 36,52 keV-γ-transition which was previously assumed to populate the 1301keV-state. In addition to the knownγ-transitions we found a 40,9 keV-line. This is probably the transition between the 1301,1 keV and the 1260,3 keV-states.     

Hyperbolic Medium of Finite-Length Wires

K-shell X-ray fluorescence parameters of low Z elements cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc have been measured employing a simple method. These elemental targets were excited by using 32.86 keV barium K X-ray photons from a weak ¹³⁷Cs γ-ray source, and the emitted K-shell X-rays from these targets were detected using a low-energy high-purity germanium X-ray detector spectrometer. The results are compared with the standard theoretical, semi-empirical, fitted values and with the others’ experimental values.     

Precise determination of neutron binding energy of <Superscript>64</Superscript>Cu

The neutron binding energy in ⁶⁴Cu has been accurately measured in thermal neutron capture. A composite target of natural Cu and NaCl was used on a high flux neutron beam using a large measuring time. The γ-ray spectrum emitted in the (n, γ) reaction was measured with a HPGe detector in large statistics (up to 10⁶ events per channel). Intrinsic limitations of HPGe detectors, which restrict the accuracy of energy calibration, were determined. The value B _n of ⁶⁴Cu was determined as 7915.867(24) keV.     

Astrophysical <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-factor of T(<Superscript>4</Superscript>He, γ)<Superscript>7</Superscript>Li reaction at <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis><Subscript>cm</Subscript> = 15.7 keV

The astrophysical S-factor of the reaction T(⁴He, γ)⁷Li is measured for the first time at the center of mass energy E _cm = 15.7 keV, lower than the energy range of the Standard Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (SBBN) model. The experiment is performed on a Hall pulsed accelerator (TPU, Tomsk). An acceleration pulse length of 10 μs allows one to suppress the background of cosmic radiation and the ambient medium by five orders of magnitude. A beam intensity of ~ 5 × 10^{14 4}He⁺ ions per pulse allows one to measure an extremely low reaction yield. The yield of γ-quanta with the energies E _γ ⁰ = 2483.7 keV and E _γ ¹ = 2006.1 keV is registered by NaI(Tl) detectors with the efficiency ε = 0.331 ± 0.026. A method for direct measurement of the background from the chain of reactions T(⁴He, ⁴He)T→T(T, 2n)X→(n, γ) and/or (n, n′γ) which ends by neutron activation of materials surrounding the target is proposed and implemented in this study. The value of the astrophysical S-factor of the reaction T(⁴He, γ)⁷Li S _αt (E _cm = 15.7 keV) = 0.091 ± 0.032 keV b provides the choice from the set of experimental data for the astrophysical S _αt -factor in favor of experimental data [4] with S _αt (E _cm = 0) = 0.1067 ± 0.0064 keV b.     

Possibility of recording rare muonic decays of <Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis> mesons at the ATLAS detector in the case of LHC operation in the initial-luminosity mode

The possibility of recording the rare muonic decays B _d,s ⁰ → μ ⁺ μ ^? at the ATLAS detector (LHC, CERN) is studied. The question of what results can be expected within the first three years of LHC operation in the initial-luminosity mode is examined. The most important noncombinatorial background processes are listed for rare muonic decays of B mesons.     

Nuclearg-factors of the first excited states in Ir191 and Ir193

Mössbauer experiments were performed to determine the nuclearg-factor of the 82 keV 1/2⁺ state in Ir¹⁹¹ (g=+1.083±0.009) and the 73 keV 1/2⁺ state in Ir¹⁹³ (g=+0.9400±0.0019). TheE2/M1 mixing parameters of the corresponding (1/2⁺) (E2/M1) (3/2⁺) transitions were found to be ¦δ¦ (Ir¹⁹¹, 82 keV)=0.80±0.06 andδ(Ir¹⁹³, 73 keV)=?0.558±0.005.     

Study of Er171 decay by means of an electron-gamma coincidence technique

The decay scheme of Er¹⁷¹ (7.8 h) has been reinvestigated by means of an electron-gamma coincidence spectrometer and a scintillation spectrometer with a transistorized RIDL-400 channel analyser. A careful unfolding of the high energy region of the gamma-ray spectrum revealed the presence of photopeaks at energies of approximately 371, 404, 543, 572, 618, 675, 738, 796, 869, 910 and 962 keV. The existence of 32 transitions in Tm¹⁷¹ was confirmed. Also, it is proved that the 277, 362 keV transitions are in coincidence with the 210 keV and that the 175 keV transition is in coincidence with the 86 keV transition. We revealed the doubt for the existence of the 166, 210, 236, 277 and 419 keV transitions. From coincidence and single counting rates the followingK-conversion coefficients of the 111, 116, 124, 296 and 308 keV transitions were determined to be: α _K (111)=1.561±0.062, α _K (116)=0.699±0.035, α _K (124)=0.608±0.024, α _K (296)=0.0197±0.0010, α _K (308)=0.0183±0.0009, which give the 116, 124 keV transitions an electric quadrupole character; the 111 keV transition a magnetic dipole character withE2/M1 equal 0.4528; and the 296, 308 keV transitions an electric dipole character withM2/E1 equal 0.0058 and 0.0071 respectively.