Single-particle properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis> = 12 to <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis> = 20 silicon isotopes within the dispersive optical model

Experimental neutron and proton single-particle energies in N = 12 to N = 20 silicon isotopes and data on neutron and proton scattering by nuclei of the isotope ²⁸Si are analyzed on the basis of the dispersive optical model. Good agreement with available experimental data was attained. The occupation probabilities calculated for the single-particle states in question suggest a parallel-type filling of the 1d and 2s _1/2 neutron states in the isotopes ^{26,28,30,32,34}Si. The single-particle spectra being considered are indicative of the closure of the Z = 14 proton subshell in the isotopes ^30,32,34Si and the N = 20 neutron shell.     

Neutron single-particle characteristics of Ag isotopes in the dispersive optical model

The neutron dispersive optical potential for Ag isotopes is constructed for a wide range of variation in the N number. Good agreement with the experimental data on the scattering of neutrons by ¹⁰⁷Аg isotopes, and on single-particle energies and the probabilities of subshell occupation near the Fermi energy, is obtained for stable isotopes ^{107, 109}Ag using the dispersive optical model. Calculations that predict the evolution of the neutron single-particle energies up to the boundary of neutron stability are performed. It is shown that new magic number N = 56 (for Z = 40) disappears upon moving from Zr to Sn in an isotonic chain with N = 56, due to rapid deepening of level 1g _7/2.     

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.     

Structure of the 1<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>2<Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis> Shell from the Data on Single-Nucleon-Transfer Reactions

For the stable silicon isotopes ²⁸Si and ³⁰Si, the energies and occupancies of single-particle states of the 1d2s shell are determined by analyzing the combined data for the nucleon stripping and pickup reactions. From the results of analysis and the available experimental data, the variation of the 1d2s proton-shell structure with increasing neutron number for the silicon isotopes with A = 26–34 is discussed.     

Calculation of nucleon densities in calcium,nickel, and molybdenum isotopes on the basis of the dispersive optical model

The radial distributions of proton and neutron densities in the even–even isotopes ^40?70Cа and ^48?78Ni and the analogous distributions of neutron densities in the even–even isotopes ^92?138Mo were calculated on the basis of the mean-fieldmodel involving a dispersive optical potential. The respective root-mean-square radii and neutron-skin thicknesses were determined for the nuclei under study. In N > 40 calcium isotopes, the calculated neutron root-mean-square radius exhibits a fast growth with increasing N, and this is consistent with the prediction of the neutron-halo structure in calcium isotopes near the neutron drip line.     

Probable Decay Modes at Limits of Nuclear Stability of the Superheavy Nuclei

The modes of decay for the even–even isotopes of superheavy nuclei of Z = 118 and 120 with neutron number 160 ≤ N ≤ 204 are investigated in the framework of the axially deformed relativistic mean field model. The asymmetry parameter η and the relative neutron–proton asymmetry of the surface to the center (R _η ) are estimated from the ground state density distributions of the nucleus. We analyze the resulting asymmetry parameter η and the relative neutron–proton asymmetry R _η of the density play a crucial role in the mode(s) of decay and its half-life. Moreover, the excess neutron richness on the surface, facets a superheavy nucleus for β^? decays.     

Independent yields of Kr and Xe isotopes in the photofission of heavy nuclei

The yields of Kr (A = 87–93) and Xe (A = 138–143) primary fission fragments produced in ²³²Th, ²³⁸U, and ²⁴⁴Pu photofission upon the scission of a target nucleus and neutron emission were measured in an experiment with bremsstrahlung from electrons accelerated to 25 MeV by a microtron, and the results of these measurements are presented. The experimental procedure used involved the transportation of fragments that escaped from the target by a gas flow through a capillary and the condensation of Kr and Xe inert gases in a cryostat at liquid-nitrogen temperature. The fragments of all other elements were retained with a filter at the capillary inlet. The isotopes of Kr and Xe were identified by the γ spectra of their daughter products. The mass-number distributions of the independent yields of Kr and Xe isotopes are obtained and compared with similar data on fission induced by thermal and fast neutrons; the shifts of the fragment charges with respect to the undistorted charge distribution are determined. Prospects for using photofission fragments in studying the structure of highly neutron-rich nuclei are discussed.     

New neutron magic number <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis> = 16 for neutron-rich nuclei

A survey of experimental results obtained at GANIL (Caen, France) on the study of the properties of very neutron-rich nuclei (Z=6–20, A=20–60) near the neutron drip line and resulting in an appearance of further evidence for the new magic number N=16 is presented. Very recent data on mass measurements of neutron-rich nuclei at GANIL and some characteristics of binding energies in this region are discussed. Nuclear binding energies are very sensitive to the existence of nuclear shells, and together with the measurements of instability of doubly magic nuclei ¹⁰He and ²⁸O, they provide information on changes in neutron shell closures of very neutron-rich isotopes. The behavior of the two-neutron separation energies S_2n derived from mass measurements gives very clear evidence for the existence of the new shell closure N=16 for Z=9 and 10 appearing between the 2s_1/2 and 1d_3/2 orbitals. This fact, strongly supported by the instability of C, N, and O isotopes with N>16, confirms the magic character of N=16 for the region from carbon up to neon, while the shell closure at N=20 tends to disappear for Z≤13. Decay studies of these hardly accessible short-lived neutron-rich nuclei from oxygen to silicon using in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy are also reported.     

Correlation of the neutron yield from the plasma focus upon variations in the magnetic field energy of the discharge circuit

The relation between neutron yield Y and magnetic field energy variations ΔW in the discharge circuit has been studied for a Mather-type plasma-focus camera. The activation technique (activation of silver isotopes) has been used to measure the integral yield of DD neutrons from the source. The time dependence of the neutron yield has been recorded by scintillation detectors. For the device used in the investigations, the neutron yield exhibits a linear dependence on variations in the magnetic field energy ΔW in the discharge circuit at the instant of neutron generation. It is also found that this dependence is related to the initial deuteron pressure in the discharge chamber.     

Preliminary results of the experiment on search for neutron nuclei on a nuclear reactor

An experiment on search for neutron nuclei in the reaction of neutron-induced fission of ²³⁵U nuclei has been performed on a nuclear reactor. The hypothetical reaction ¹²²Te(^xn, (x ? k)n)^{122 + k} Te → (β^?) → ^{122 + k} I (x = k ≥ 10) has been investigated. The radiochemical method for selecting iodine isotopes from tellurium was used. The upper limit on the probability of formation of neutron clusters has been obtained: P _k ≤ 10^?8 (fission)^?1 for ¹¹n clusters and P _k ≤ 10^?9 (fission)^?1 for ¹¹n clusters.     

Investigation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">pn</Emphasis> correlations in <Superscript>4</Superscript>He<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis> interactions at a momentum of 5 GeV/<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>

Proton-neutron correlations in ⁴Hep interactions are studied in an exclusive experiment by using a 2-m bubble chamber exposed to a 5-GeV/c beam of α particles (the kinetic energy of the protons in the nucleus rest frame is T _p = 620 MeV). Data on the production of pn pairs in 4π geometry for three channels, where it is possible to reconstruct the neutron momentum unambiguously, are used to determine the pn correlation function in ⁴Hep interactions. The experimental results are compared with the predictions of a modified Lednicky-Lyuboshitz model. The value obtained for the root-mean-square radius of the pn-emission region is R _pn = 2.1 ± 0.3 fm. The dependence of the correlation function on the modulus of the total momentum of the emitted nucleon pair and on the direction of the momentum transfer is studied. An indication that the emission of a pn pair proceeds predominantly through the production of a virtual deuteron is obtained.     

Production of Transuranium Nuclides in Pulsed Neutron Fluxes from Thermonuclear Explosions

The production of transuranium nuclides in pulsed neutron fluxes from thermonuclear explosions has been studied within the kinetic model of the astrophysical r-process taking into account the time dependence of external parameters and processes accompanying the beta decay of neutron-rich nuclei. Neutron fluxes depending on the time in the range of ~10^–6 s have been simulated within the developed adiabatic binary model. The probabilities of beta-delayed processes have been calculated within the microscopic theory of finite Fermi systems. The yields of transuranium nuclides Y(A) have been calculated for three experimental thermonuclear explosions Mike (Y_M), Par (Y_P), and Barbel (Y_B) (United States). The rms deviations of the calculations from experimental data are 91, 33, and 29% for Y_M, Y_P, and Y_B, respectively. These deviations are much smaller than those for other known calculations and are comparable with the proposed exponential approximation ensuring rms deviations of 56, 86.8, and 60.2% for Y_M, Y_P, and Y_B, respectively. The even–odd anomaly in the observed yields of heavy nuclei is explained by the dominant effect of processes accompanying the beta decay of heavy neutron-rich isotopes.     

Role of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>,2<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>) reactions in transmutation of long-lived fission products

The conditions under which (n,γ) and (n,2n) reactions can help or hinder each other in neutron transmutation of long-lived fission products (LLFPs) are considered. Isotopic and elemental transmutation for the main long-lived fission products, ⁷⁹Se, ⁹³Zr, ⁹⁹Tc, ¹⁰⁷Pd, ¹²⁶Sn, ¹²⁹I, and ¹³⁵Cs, are considered. The effect of (n,2n) reactions on the equilibrium amount of nuclei of the transmuted isotope and the neutron consumption required for the isotope processing is estimated. The aim of the study is to estimate the influence of (n,2n) reactions on efficiency of neutron LLFP transmutation. The code TIME26 and the libraries of evaluated nuclear data ABBN-93, JEF-PC, and JANIS system are applied. The following results are obtained: (1) The effect of (n,2n) reactions on the minimum number of neutrons required for transmutation and the equilibrium amount of LLFP nuclei is estimated. (2) It is demonstrated that, for three LLFP isotopes (¹²⁶Sn, ¹²⁹I, and ¹³⁵Cs), (n,γ) and (n,2n) reactions are partners facilitating neutron transmutation. The strongest effect of (n,2n) reaction is found for ¹²⁶Sn transmutation (reduction of the neutron consumption by 49% and the equilibrium amount of nuclei by 19%).     

Neutron-deficient and neutron-rich Fe and Ni isotopes near the drip line

Positions of the proton and neutron drip lines and characteristics of the neutron-deficient and neutron-rich Fe and Ni isotopes have been studied by the Hartree-Fock method with the Skyrme forces (Ska, SkM*, Sly4) with allowance for deformation. Pairing was taken into account on the basis of the BCS approximation with the pairing constant G = (19.5/2)[1 ± 0.51(N ? Z)/A]. Manifestation of magic numbers for the nickel isotopes ⁴⁸Ni, ⁵⁶Ni, and ⁷⁸Ni and for the nucleon-stable isotope ¹¹⁰Ni which is beyond the drip line is discussed.     

Physical criteria for the reliability of data on the photodisintegration of the <Superscript>89</Superscript>Y nucleus

Experimental photonuclear reaction cross sections obtained in experiments using quasimonoenergetic annihilation, monoenergetic tagged photons, and bremsstrahlung γ-radiation are analyzed using physical criteria for the reliability of data on the ⁸⁹Y nucleus. It is found that the reliability of data on the cross sections of partial reactions (γ, 1n) and (γ, 2n), obtained by means of photoneutron multiplicity sorting, is highly doubtful. Reliable cross sections of reactions (γ, 1n) and (γ, 2n) are obtained using the experimental–theoretical method (ETM) for evaluating using both experimental cross sections of neutron yield reaction σ^exp(γ, xn) that are free of neutron multiplicity problems, and theoretically calculated F _i ^theor ratios of the cross sections of definite (i) partial reactions to cross section σ^theor(γ, xn). It is shown that the evaluated cross sections differ noticeably from the experimental data.     

Neutron-emission mechanisms in the <Superscript>115</Superscript>In(<Emphasis Type="Italic">α, xn</Emphasis>) reactions

Spectra and angular distributions of neutrons from the ¹¹⁵In(α, xn) reactions were measured at α-particle energies of 16, 18, 27, and 45 MeV. The measurements were performed with time-of-flight neutron spectrometers at pulsed accelerators of charged particles. The data obtained in this way were analyzed within the models of equilibrium, preequilibrium, and direct reaction mechanisms. The exact formalism of Hauser-Feshbach statistical theory was used in the calculations, level densities in residual nuclei excited in the reactions under consideration being found from the neutron evaporation spectra in the (p, n) reactions on tin isotopes. Contributions from equilibrium, preequilibrium, and direct neutron emission were studied in a wide range of α-particle energies.     

The neutron drip line in the region of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>=20 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>=28 closures

Experimental studies of neutron drip line nuclei are introduced. The neutron drip line in the oxygen-magnesium region has been explored by the projectile fragmentation of a ⁴⁸Ca beam. New neutron-rich isotopes, ³⁴Ne and ³⁷Na, have been observed together with some evidence for the particle instability of ³³Ne and ³⁶Na. Recent data on mass measurements of neutron-rich nuclei at GANIL and some characteristics of binding energies in this region are discussed. Nuclear binding energies are very sensitive to the existence of nuclear shells, and together with the measurements of instability of doubly magic nuclide ²⁸O, they provide information on changes in neutron shell closures of very neutron-rich isotopes from carbon up to calcium. The conclusion about a rearrangement in neutron shell closures is given. The spectroscopic measurements can reveal details of the underlying microscopic structures; in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy is an effective tool to check for shell closures. The results on the γ-ray energies of the first 2⁺ level in even-even nuclei for the range N=12–32 are discussed. The strength of N=20 and N=28 shells is variable in the region from carbon up to magnesium.     

Study of photon electroproduction on the nucleon at high and low energy by Virtual Compton Scattering

Virtual Compton Scattering (VCS) and Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) on the nucleon are two processes accessed via the photon electroproduction reaction (eN → eγN). In the first part of this paper we are interested by the DVCS on the neutron. We measured the (D(e, eγ)X-H(e, e'γ)X) unpolarized cross section and we extracted, for the first time, a non-zero contribution of (neutron-DVCS + coherent- deuteron-DVCS) at Q ² = 1.75 GeV² and x _B = 36 from Jefferson Lab experiment E08-025. VCS on the proton has been studied at Mainz Microtron MAMI at the four-momentum transfer squared Q ² = 0.5 GeV², below the pion production threshold. In the second part of this paper we present our preliminary results of the structure functions (P _LL ? (P _TT/ε)) and P _LT, and the electric and magnetic generalized polarizabilities α _E (Q ²) and β _M (Q ²) extracted from this experiment.     

On double magicity of the <Stack><Subscript>28</Subscript><Superscript>68</Superscript></Stack>Ni<Subscript>40</Subscript> nucleus

Single-particle energies E _nlj of neutron states in the ₂₈ ⁶⁸ Ni₄₀ nucleus are estimated on the basis of extrapolation of the experimental values of E _nlj in the ^58,60,62,64Ni isotopes. The data obtained are compared with the results of calculation within the dispersion optical model.     

Investigation of the neutron shell structure of the even-even isotopes <Superscript>40–56</Superscript>Ca within the dispersive optical model

Within the method of matching experimental data obtained in the neutron-stripping and neutron-pickup reactions on ^{40,42,44,46,48}Ca isotopes, the single-particle energies and probabilities that neutron states are filled are obtained for the even-even calcium isotopes. These data are analyzed within the dispersive optical model, and good agreement between the calculated and experimental values of the energies of states is obtained. The dispersive optical potential is extrapolated to the region of the unstable ^50,52,54,56Ca nuclei. The calculated single-particle energies of bound states in these isotopes are compared with the results of the calculations within the multiparticle shell model, the latter predicting a new magic number N = 34 for Z = 20 nuclei.