Measurement of the absolute cross section of the 3He(4He, γ)7Be reaction at Ec.m. = 525 keV

The cross section for the radiative capture reaction ³He(⁴He, γ)⁷Be has been measured at 525 keV in the centre-of-mass by detection of prompt capture γ- rays. The targets were ³He-implanted Nb foils that allowed us to circumvent the experimental difficulties inherent in the use of extended gas cells for absolute measurements. The results give an inferred zero-energy cross-section factor of S₃₄(0) = 0.47 ± 0.04 keV · b. The present result is compared with results from previous capture γ-ray yield and ⁷Be-activity methods of measuring the cross-section factor.     

Hydrogen burning of 20Ne and 22Ne in stars

The ²⁰Ne(p, γ)²¹Na capture reaction has been studied in the energy range E_p = 0.37–2.10 MeV. Direct-capture transitions to the $\text{332 (}\text{5}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)}\text{and}\text{2425}\text{keV}\text{(}\text{1}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)}$ states have been found with spectroscopic factors of C²S(1d) = 0.77±0.13 and C²S(2s) = 0.90±0.12, respectively. The high-energy tail of the 2425 keV state, bound by 7 keV against proton decay, has also been observed in the above energy range as a subthreshold resonance. The excitation function for this tail is consistent with a single-level Breit-Wigner shape for a γ-width of Γ_γ = 0.31±0.07 eV at E_x = 2425 keV. The extrapolation of these data to stellar energies gives an astrophysical S-factor of S(0) = 3500 keV · b. Two new resonances at E_p = 384±5 and 417± 5 keV have been observed with strengths of ωγ = 0.11±0.02 and 0.06±0.01 meV, corresponding to the known states at and 2829 keV (presumably $\text{9}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$), respectively. For the known E_p = 1830 keV resonance, a strength of ωγ = 1.0± 0.3 eV and a total width of Γ = 180± 15 keV were found. Branching ratios as well as transition strengths have been obtained for these three states. The Q-value for the ²⁰Ne(p, γ)²¹Na reaction (Q = 2432.3 ± 0.5 keV) as well as excitation energies for many low-lying states in ²¹Na have been measured. No evidence was found for the existence of the state reported at E_x = 4308±4 keV.In the case of ²²Ne(p, γ)²³Na, direct-capture transitions to six final bound states have been observed revealing sizeable spectroscopic factors for these states. The astrophysical S-factor extrapolated from these data to stellar energies, is S(0) = 67 ± 12 keV · b.The astrophysical as well as the nuclear structure aspects of the present results are discussed.     

The K<Superscript>-</Superscript>α scattering length and the reaction dd↦αK<Superscript>+</Superscript>K<Superscript>-</Superscript>

We present predictions for the K^-α scattering length obtained within the framework of the multiple-scattering approach. Evaluating the pole position of the K^-α scattering amplitude within the zero-range approximation, we find a loosely bound K^-α state with a binding energy of E_R = - 2,..., - 7 MeV and a width Γ_R = 11,..., 18 MeV. We propose to measure the K^-α scattering length through the final-state interaction between the α and K^--meson produced in the reaction dd↦αK⁺K^-. It is found that the K^-α invariant-mass distribution from this reaction at energies near the threshold provides a new tool to determine the s-wave K^-α scattering length.     

Remeasurement of the low-energy cross section for the 15N(p, α0)12C reaction

The cross section for the ${}^{15}\text{N(p}\text{, α}{}_0\text{)}{}^{12}\text{C}$ reaction has been measured at θ_lab = 135° over the proton energy range 93 ≦ E_p ≦ 418 keV. The results are in good agreement with the less precise but much earlier measurements of Schardt, Fowler and Lauritsen (1952). An analysis of the present data in terms of a two-level calculation including the 338 keV (1^?) and 1028 keV (1^?) resonances determines a zero-energy intercept for the astrophysical S-factor of S(0) = 78 ± 6 MeV · b.     

Low-energy behavior of the 3He(α, γ)7Be cross section

Cross sections for the ³He(α, γ)⁷Be reaction have been measured at several energies from E_c.m. = 165 to 1169 keV by counting prompt γ-rays from a windowless, differentially pumped, recirculating, ³He gas target. The cross-section factor S₃₄(E_c.m.) and branching ratio γ₁/γ₀ were determined at each energy. Cross sections were also measured at E_c.m. = 947 and 1255 keV by counting the γ-rays from the ⁷Be produced in a ³He gas cell with a Ni entrance foil. Combining the results of these two independent experiments yields a zero-energy intercept for the cross-section factor of S₃₄(0) = 0.53 ± 0.03 keV · b. The relationship between these measurements and several theoretical calculations, and the import of the extrapolated cross section for the solar-neutrino problem are discussed.     

On the unusual properties of the 282 keV state in <Superscript>135</Superscript>Sb

Recently the first excited state in ¹³⁵Sb has been observed at the unexpectedly low excitation energy of only 282keV and interpreted as mainly d _5/2 proton coupled to the ¹³⁴Sn core. Based on theoretical considerations it was suggested that its low excitation energy is related to a relative shift of the proton d _5/2 and g _7/2 orbits induced by the neutron excess. We have measured the lifetime of the 282keV state by the advanced time-delayed βγγ(t) method. The measured half-life, T _1/2 = 6.1(4)ns, yields exceptionally low limits of B(M1;5/2₁ ⁺→7/2₁ ⁺)≤3.0×10^-4 μ ² _N and B(E2;5/2₁ ⁺→7/2₁ ⁺)≤54e ² fm ⁴. These strongly hindered M1 and slow E2 transition rates are similar to those for the transition de-populating the first excited state at 405keV in ²¹¹Bi. Results of shell model calculations with realistic interactions are presented. The M1 decay rate was found to be extremely sensistive both to the wave function and to the M1 effective operator.     

Proton capture by 15N at stellar energies

Excitation functions of the ¹⁵N(p, γ)¹⁶O proton capture reaction have been obtained at θ_γ = 45° and E_p = 150–2500 keV. Below E_p = 400 keV, the reaction is dominated by capture into the ground state of ¹⁶O. The observed excitation function for the latter process can be explained if, in addition to the two well-known J^π = 1^? resonances at E_p = 338 and 1028 keV, a direct radiative capture process (DC → 0) is included in the analysis. The direct capture component in the capture reaction is enhanced through interference effects on the tails of the two resonances. From the observed direct capture cross section, a single-particle spectroscopic factor of C²S(1p) = 1.8 ± 0.4 has been deduced for the ground state in ¹⁶O. The extrapolated astrophysical S-factor of S(0) = 64 ± 6 keV · b for the ¹⁵N(p, γ₀)¹⁶O reaction is a factor of 2.5 larger than previously reported. This result amplifies the role of the oxygen side cycle in the CNO hydrogen burning process.The observed excitation function of the ¹⁵N(p, α₁γ₁)¹²C reaction at E_p = 150 – 2500 keV shows that this reaction makes a negligible contribution to hydrogen burning at stellar energies [S(0) ≈ 0.1 keV · b] compared to ${}^{15}\text{N}\text{(}\text{p}\text{, γ}{}_0\text{)}{}^{16}\text{O and}{}^{15}\text{N}\text{(}\text{p}\text{, α}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>o</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^{12}\text{C}$.     

Investigations into the alpha-decay of <Superscript>195</Superscript>At

The low-energy nuclear structure and decay properties of the neutron-deficient isotopes ¹⁹⁵At and ¹⁹¹Bi have been studied. ¹⁹⁵At was produced in the reaction ¹⁴²Nd(⁵⁶Fe,p2n)¹⁹⁵At and ¹⁹¹Bi as the daughter activity of ¹⁹⁵At. The activities were implanted in a position-sensitive silicon detector after being separated from the primary beam by a gas-filled recoil separator. The 1/2⁺ intruder state was determined to be the ground state in ¹⁹⁵At with an alpha-decay energy of E _α = 6953(3) keV and a half-life T _1/2 = 328(20) ms. Another state with an alpha-decay energy E _α = 7075(4) keV and a half-life T _1/2 = 147(5) ms was found to decay to a 148.7(5) keV excited state in ¹⁹¹Bi for which a spin and parity of 7/2^- were deduced. Consequently, the same 7/2^- character was assigned to the initial state at 32(7) keV in ¹⁹⁵At on the basis of unhindered alpha-decay. The 9/2^- state, being the ground state in heavier odd-mass astatine isotopes, was not observed. Received: 16 September 2002 / Accepted: 19 December 2002 / Published online: 25 March 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: heikki.kettunen@phys.jyu.fi RID="b" ID="b"Present address: Laboratory of Radiochemistry, P.O. Box 55, FIN-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland. RID="c" ID="c"Present address: Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, P.O. Box 14, FIN-00881 Helsinki, Finland. Communicated by W. Henning     

Measurement of quadrupole moment of the 134 keV level in <Superscript>131</Superscript>Cs

The time differential as well as time integral perturbed angular correlations of the 486-134 keV cascade in ¹³¹Cs have been studied in a polycrystalline BaSO₄ powder source using a HPGe-BaF₂ detector system. The fundamental quadrupole frequency for the 134 keV level has been found to be ω₀= (4.4 ± 0.4) × 10⁷ rad/s. From a comparison of the quadrupole frequencies of this level and that of the 81 keV level in ¹³³Cs, measured earlier in the same crystalline environment of the source, the absolute value of the quadrupole moment of the 134 keV level in ¹³¹Cs has been found to be 0.022 ± 0.002 b. This value of the quadrupole moment is reported for the first time and compared with the value predicted theoretically within the unified nuclear model with intermediate coupling. Received: 21 October 1999 / Revised version: 22 December 1999     

Gamma-ray spectroscopy of Cr

A study of low-lying states in the self-conjugate nucleus ⁴⁸Cr has been performed with the reaction ⁴⁰Ca(¹⁰B, pnγ)⁴⁸Cr. Several techniques of γ-ray spectroscopy have been used: activity measurements, γ-ray angular distributions, γ-γ coincidences, p-n-γ triple coincidences, and recoil-distance lifetime measurements. The following level energies, spin-parity assignments, and lifetimes have been found: 752.4±0.5 keV, 2₁⁺, τ_m = 9.7±2.6 ps; 1858.7±0.7 keV, 4₁⁺, τ_m = 1.5_−0.5^+2.0 ps; 3532.7±1.2 keV, (6₁⁺); 4064.3±1.3 keV, ( 4), τ_m < 60 ps. The 2₁⁺ state in ⁴⁸Cr is found to have the lowest excitation energy and highest E2 transition strength (33±9 W.u.) among the 2₁⁺ states of even nuclei in the 1f shell.     

Light-charged-particle emission from hot <Superscript>32</Superscript>S<Superscript>*</Superscript>formed in <Superscript>20</Superscript>Ne + <Superscript>12</Superscript>C reaction

Inclusive energy distributions for light charged particles (p , d , t and have been measured in the ²⁰Ne (158, 170, 180, 200 MeV) + ¹²C reactionsintheangularrange$10^°$ - - $50^°$.Exclusivelight-charged-particleenergydistributionmeasurementswerealsodoneforthesamesystemat158 MeVbombardingenergybyin - planelightchargedparticle - - fragmentcoincidence.Pre - equilibriumcomponentshavebeenseparatedoutfromprotonenergyspectrausingthemovingsourcemodelconsideringtwosources.ThedatahavebeencomparedwiththepredictionsofthestatisticalmodelcodeCASCADE.Ithasbeenobservedthatsignificantdeformationeffectswereneededtobeintroducedinthecompoundnucleusinordertoexplaintheshapeoftheevaporated$d$,$t$energyspectra.Forprotons, evaporatedenergyspectrawereratherinsensitivetonucleardeformation, thoughangulardistributionscouldnotbeexplainedwithoutdeformation.Thedecaysequenceofthehot$³²S$nucleushasbeeninvestigatedthroughexclusivelight - - charged - particlemeasurementsusingthe$²⁰Ne$$(158 MeV) + $¹²C reaction. Information on the sequential decay chain has been extracted through a comparison of the experimental data with the predictions of the statistical model. It is observed from the present analysis that exclusive light-charged-particle data may be used as a powerful tool to probe the decay sequence of hot light compound systems.     

High-spin states in <Superscript>36</Superscript>Ar and their underlying shell model configurations

Eight high-spin states in ³⁶Ar below 10MeV excitation energy, among them a prospective J ^π = 8^- state at 9408keV and the J? 8 levels of the recently discovered superdeformed rotational band, have been observed by n-γ coincidence measurements with the ³³S(α, nγ) reaction at E _α = 14.4 and 13.4MeV. High-spin assignments of, respectively, J ^π = 6⁺ and 5^- were obtained for the E _p = 1209 and 1462keV (E _x = 9682 and 9927keV) resonances of the ³⁵Cl (p,γ) reaction by a measurement of γ-ray angular distributions. The spectrum of the high-spin and of the E _x? 7.4MeV levels is decomposed according to the underlying shell model configurations with n = 0, 1, 2, 4 particles excited from the N = 2 into the N = 3 major shell. The role of four-particle excitations, all connected with large prolate distortions, is elucidated for the entire A = 36-40 mass region. Received: 21 December 2001 / Accepted: 25 March 2002     

Resonant neutron capture in 40Ca

The neutron capture cross section of ⁴⁰Ca has been measured with ≈ 0.2 % energy resolution below E_n = 300 keV. Resonance parameters have been extracted for many new p- and d-wave resonances. Gamma-ray spectra were also measured following capture in one doublet and two resolved resonances below 50 keV. Strong feeding of low-lying p-wave levels was observed in all cases. Calculations showed that valence transitions were inadequate to account for the observed dominance of these transitions and a further mechanism is required. The average resonance parameters obtained from the data are as follows: 〈D〉 = 37 + 4keV, 10⁴S₁ = 0.16 ± 0.05, 10⁴S₂ = 2.0 ± 0.7. The average radiative widths and standard deviations of their distributions were found to be strongly l-dependent as follows: 〈Γ_γ〉_s = 1.5 ± 0.9 eV, 〈Γ_γ〉_p = 0.36 ± 0.09 eV and 〈Γ_γ〉_d = 0.7 ± 0.4 eV.     

Precision electron-gamma spectroscopic measurements in <Superscript>75</Superscript>As

The decay of ⁷⁵Se to levels of ⁷⁵As has been studied using an HPGe detector for gamma-ray and a mini-orange electron spectrometer for conversion electron measurements. We identify 38 transitions in this decay, including 18 gamma rays and 16 conversion electron lines reported for the first time. New results also include E2 multipolarity assignment for the 81 keV transition, M1 assignment to three newly observed transitions and M1 + E2 for the 617 keV transition. A revised ⁷⁵As level scheme is constructed using the Ritz combination principle through the computer code GTOL. While confirming the existence of 10 well-established levels, two levels at 587 and 859 keV are newly placed into the decay scheme of ⁷⁵Se. The interpretation of the observed levels in terms of various theoretical approaches is briefly discussed. The newly placed 586.8 keV 1/2^- and 859.9 keV 1/2⁺ levels are studied in the light of the Interacting Boson-Fermion Model.     

Levels in 156Gd studied in the (n, γ) reaction

Levels up to 2.3 MeV in ¹⁵⁶Gd have been studied using the (n, γ) reaction. Energies and intensities of low-energy γ-rays and electrons emitted after thermal neutron capture have been measured with a curved-crystal spectrometer, Ge(Li) detectors and a magnetic electron spectrometer. High-energy (primary) γ-rays and electrons have been measured with Ge(Li) detectors and a magnetic spectrometer. The high-energy γ-ray spectrum has also been measured in thermal neutron capture in 2 keV resonance neutron capture. The neutron separation energy in ¹⁵⁶Gd was measured as S_n = 8535.8 ± 0.5 keV.About 600 transitions were observed of which ~50% could be placed in a level scheme containing more than 50 levels up to 2.3 MeV excitation energy. 42 of these levels were grouped into 15 excited bands. In addition to the β-band at 1050 keV we observe 0⁺ bands at 1168, 1715 and 1851 keV. Other positive-parity bands are: 1⁺ bands at 1966, 2027 and 2187 keV; 2⁺ bands at 1154 (γ-band) and 1828 keV; and 4⁺ bands at 1511 and 1861 keV. Negative-parity bands are observed at 1243 keV (1^?), 1366 keV (0^?), 1780 keV (2^?) and 2045 keV (4^?). Reduced E2 and E0 transition probabilities have been derived for many transitions. The ground band, the β- and γ-bands and the 0⁺ band at 1168 keV have been included in a phenomenological four-band mixing calculation, which reproduces well the experimental energies and E2 transition probabilities.The lowest three negative-parity (octupole) bands of which the 0^? and the 1^? bands are very strongly mixed, were included in a Coriolis-coupling analysis, which reproduces well the observed energies. The E1 transition probabilities to the ground band are also well reproduced, while those from the higher-lying 0⁺ bands to the octupole bands are not reproduced. Absolute and relative transition probabilities have been compared with predictions of the IBA model and the pairingplus-quadrupole model. Both models reproduce well the E2 transitions from the γ-band, while strong disagreements are found for the E2 transitions from the β-band. The IBA model predicts part of the decay features of the higher lying 2⁺₂, 4⁺₁ and 2^?₁ bands.     

Infrared laser-spectroscopic analysis of <Superscript>14</Superscript>NO and <Superscript>15</Superscript>NO in human breath

We report on monitoring of nitric oxide (NO) traces in human breath via infrared cavity leak-out spectroscopy. Using a CO sideband laser near 5 μm wavelength and an optical cavity with two high-reflectivity mirrors (R=99.98%), the minimum detectable absorption is 2×10⁻¹⁰ cm⁻¹ Hz^1/2. This allows for spectroscopic analysis of rare NO isotopologues with unprecedented sensitivity. Application to simultaneous online detection of ¹⁴NO and ¹⁵NO in breath samples collected in the nasal cavity is described for the first time. We achieved a noise-equivalent detection limit of 7 parts per trillion for nasal ¹⁵NO (integration time: 70 s).     

The 12C(α, γ)16O reaction and stellar helium burning

The cross section for the reaction ¹²C(α, γ)¹⁶O has been measured for a range of c.m. energies extending from 1.41 MeV to 2.94 MeV, by using ¹²C targets of high isotopic purity, large NaI(T1) crystals, and the time-of-flight technique for the suppression of prompt neutron background and time-independent background. Gamma-ray angular distributions were measured at c.m. energies of 2.18, 2.42, 2.56 and 2.83 MeV. By means of theoretical fits, which include the coherent effects of the 1^? states of ¹⁶O at 7.12 MeV, 9.60 MeV, and those at higher energies, the electric-dipole portion of the cross section at astrophysically relevant energies has been determined. A three-level R-matrix parametrization of the data yields an S-factor at E_c.m. = 0.3 MeV, S(0.3 MeV) = 0.14^+0.14_?0.12 MeV · b. A “hybrid” R-matrix optical-m parameterization yields S(0.3 MeV) = 0.08^+0.05_?0.04 MeV · b. This S-factor is of crucial importance in determining the abundances of ¹²C and ¹⁶O at the end of helium burning in stars.     

Coulomb excitation of 85Rb and 87Rb

Energy levels of ⁸⁵Rb and ⁸⁷Rb have been studied via de-excitation γ-rays following Coulomb excitation with ³⁵Cl ions. In addition to the known negative-parity states at 151.2 keV and 868.2 keV in ⁸⁵Rb, two states at 281.0 keV and 731.8 keV have been found with fourγ-ray transitions of 129.8, 281.0, 450.8 and 731.8 keV. Only one Coulomb excited state at 402.6 keV in ⁸⁷Rb has been observed. The B(E2↑) values (in units e² · b²) have been determined as 0.0035±0.0004 (151.2 keV), 0.0016±0.0002 (281.0 keV), 0.0101 ±0.0010 (731.8 keV), and 0.036±0.004 (868.2 keV) for the states in ⁸⁵Rb, and as 0.0054±0.0006 (402.6 keV) for the state in ⁸⁷Rb. The mean lifetimes of the 731.8 keV and 868.2 keV states have been measured by the Doppler shift attenuation method as 6.4±0.7 psec and 4.2±0.5 psec respectively. Angular distribution measurements allow unique spin and parity assignments of $\text{1}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ and $\text{3}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ to the 281.0 keV and 731.8 keV levels respectively. The spin and parity of the 868.2 keV level has been restricted to $\text{5}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ or $\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$.     

Low-lying levels in 120Sb studied with the 120Sn(p,nγ) reaction

Properties of the levels in ¹²⁰Sb have been studied with the reaction ¹²⁰Sn(p, nγ). The low-lying level scheme of ¹²⁰Sb below 450 keV was constructed from the γ-ray excitation functions and γ-γ coincidences. The spins and parities were assigned from comparisons of the measured angular distributions and linear polarizations of the deexciting γ-rays as well as the absolute excitation functions of the residual levels with the predictions of the statistical compound nucleus model. In addition, the half-life of an isomeric state at 78.15 keV was measured. The results are 8.37 keV, 2^?; 78.15 keV, 3⁺; $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 241±3}\text{ns}$; 149.29 keV, 3⁺; 166.05 keV, 3^?; 192.64 keV, 2⁺; 233.06 keV, 2⁺; 243.80 keV, 4; 260.29 keV, 3^?; 261.68 keV, 4; 334.07 keV, 4; 341.14 keV, 5; 343.21 keV, 4; 390.31 keV, 2 or 3⁺; 437.68 keV, 1 or 2 and 447.68 keV, 1⁽⁺⁾.