Recent Results from LEPS/SPring-8 Experiment

The LEPS experiment generates real photon beam up to 2.4 GeV with high degree of linear polarization by backward-Compton scattering at SPring-8, Japan. The experiment is aimed to understand photoproduction of strangeness in the non-perturbative regime of strong interaction. We measure the photoproduction of ${\phi(1020)}$ , Λ(1520) and K ^*0(892) from protons and deuterons near threshold. Other than the differential cross sections, the photon beam asymmetry is shown as a unique and valuable information for the theoretical modeling of production mechanisms.     

K*0Σ+ Photoproduction from Threshold to 3.0 GeV

The CLAS collaboration and the CBELSA/TAPS collaboration reported the differential cross section data for K*⁰ photoproduction, and found that the t-channel K exchange dominates the production amplitudes at small scattering angles. The measurement of forward-angle parity spin asymmetry for the γ p → K*⁰Σ⁺ reaction, where the theoretical calculations show an unambiguous signal, would establish the role of the κ(800). The γ p → K*⁰Σ⁺ reaction, where the Σ⁺ was identified through missing mass, on a liquid hydrogen target was measured at the LEPS detector in the energy from threshold to 3.0 GeV by using a linearly polarized photon beam at SPring-8. Decay angular distributions in the rest frame of the K ⁺ π ^? system were fit to extract spin-density matrix elements of the K*⁰ decay.     

Investigation of vibrational levels in226Ra by coulomb excitation and by the226Ra(d,pnγ) reaction

Vibrational bands in²²⁶Ra were studied by Coulomb excitation and by the²²⁶Ra(d,pnγ) reaction. The first-excitedK ^π = 0⁺ and 1^? bands with known band heads at 825 and 1049 keV, respectively, were extended up to the 8⁺ and 7^? levels. A new 2⁺ level at 1110 keV and the known 2⁺ level at 1156 keV were observed following Coulomb excitation and interpreted asγ vibration and possible member of a second-exitedK ^π = 0⁺ band, respectively. TheE1 andE2 branching ratios from these vibrational bands to the ground and first-excited 0^? band are explained within the rotational model including band mixings. No evidence was found for a 0⁺ level at 650 keV proposed earlier.     

Investigation of vibrational levels in 226Ra by Coulomb excitation and by the 226Ra (d,pnγ) reaction

Vibrational bands in ²²⁶Ra were studied by Coulomb excitation and by the ²²⁶Ra(d,pnγ) reaction. The first-excited K ^π = 0⁺ and 1^? bands with known band heads at 825 and 1049 keV, respectively, were extended up to the 8⁺ and 7^? levels. A new 2⁺ level at 1110 keV and the known 2⁺ level at 1156 keV were observed following Coulomb excitation and interpreted as γ vibration and possible member of a second-exited K ^π = 0⁺ band, respectively. The E1 and E2 branching ratios from these vibrational bands to the ground and first-excited 0^? band are explained within the rotational model including band mixings. No evidence was found for a 0⁺ level at 650 keV proposed earlier.     

Recent results from LEPS

Photoproduction of baryons with strangeness,such as the Σ(1385),Λ(1520) and possibly the Θ +,are described from measurements at the LEPS/SPring-8 facility in Japan.Linearly polarized photons in the energy range of 1.5–2.4 GeV,along with the forward-angle kinematics at LEPS,provide unique data to learn about these baryons,which are non-perturbative solutions of QCD.     

High-spin states of 26Mg populated in the 12C(18O, α) reaction

The structure of ²⁶Mg has been investigated by means of the ¹²C(¹⁸O, α) reaction. Several previously unknown states were populated between excitation energies of 0 to 16 MeV. Excitation functions were measured for 126 states for bombarding energies between 43.2 and 45.9 MeV in 300 keV steps at a lab angle of 7°. The experimental energy averaged differential cross sections were compared with statistical model calculations and good agreement was obtained for the states whose spins and parities were previously established. The statistical model calculations were used to suggest the spins and parities for the rest of the states. In particular, candidates for 6⁺ and 8⁺ states were interpreted as members of three rotational bands in ²⁶Mg: the ground-state band, the K = 2⁺ band based on the 2.938 MeV 2⁺ state, and a K = 0⁺ band based on the 3.588 MeV 0⁺ state. Back bending of the yrast band is observed and it is suggested that it may be due to band crossing of the ground-state and first excited K = 0⁺ bands.     

Level structure of 184W from the 183W(n, γ) reaction

The level structure of ¹⁸⁴W has been studied from the prompt γ-rays emitted following the capture of both thermal and 2 keV neutrons by ¹⁸³W. Energies and intensities were measured for both the primary and the secondary (low-energy) prompt γ-rays. From these data, a level scheme is proposed for ¹⁸⁴W in which all the I^π = 0⁺, 1⁺ and 2⁺ states below ≈ 2.0 MeV are observed. Where possible, rotational-band assignments have been made to these and other levels. Additional evidence is presented which confirms the 1130 keV state as being the band head of a K^π = 2^? octupole vibrational band. Admixed K^π = 0⁺ and 2⁺ bands are established at 1322 and 1386 keV, respectively, with the I^π = 2⁺ states (at 1431 and 1386 keV) having a mutual admixture of ≈ 12%. In the energy region above 1.5 MeV, the following bands and band-head energies are identified: K^π = 1⁺, 1613 keV; K^π = 0⁺, 1614 keV; K^π = 1⁺, 1713 keV; K^π = 2⁺, 1877 keV. The neutron binding energy in ¹⁸⁴W has been determined to be 7411.1±0.6 keV. The band structure of the 1613 keV (1⁺) and 1614 keV (0⁺) bands is observed to be strongly distorted, the observed $\text{A (}\text{h}\text{?}{}^2\text{/2}\text{I}\text{)}$ values being ≈ 3.6 keV and ≈ 32 keV, respectively. This strong distortion is shown to be explainable in terms of Coriolis coupling of reasonable strength between the two bands. A similar explanation is shown to account for the somewhat less anomalous A-values (22.8 keV and 14.0 keV, respectively) of the 2⁺ band at 1386 keV and the 3⁺ band at 1425 keV. The results of a phenomenological fiveband-mixing analysis involving the K^π = 0⁺ and 2⁺ bands below ≈ 1.5 MeV are presented and discussed. These calculations indicate, among other things, that the direct E2 matrix element connecting the 1322 keV, K^π = 0⁺ band and the ground-state band is quite small, possibly zero. They also indicate that a nonzero E2 matrix element exists between this excited K^π = 0⁺ band and the γ-vibrational band and that the magnitude of this element is comparable with that between the γ-vibrational and ground-state bands. Arguments favoring and apparently refuting the interpretation of the 1322 keV, 0⁺ band as a “two-phonon γ-vibration” are presented.     

An amplitude analysis of the K+K− system produced in the reaction π−p→K+K−n at 10 GeV/c

We present results on an amplitude analysis of the K⁺K^? system produced in the reaction π^?p→K⁺K^?n from threshold up to 2.2 GeV. The branching ratios of f⁰ and f' to K$\text{K}$ have been determined. In the low mass region of the K$\text{K}$ system the observation of an S-wave enhancement at 1.3 GeV and the interference of the f⁰-A₂-f' mesons are studied. We observe a 3^? structure in the mass region of 1.7 GeV which is consistent with g⁰ production. With this interpretation the branching ratio $\text{g→}\text{K}\text{K}$ has been determined. Evidence for a new structure in the J^p = 2⁺ wave around 1.8 GeV with a width of ～200 MeV is presented.     

Subthreshold and near-threshold K +-meson photoproduction on nuclei

The inclusive K ⁺-meson production in photon-induced reactions in the near-threshold and subthreshold energy regimes is analyzed for the one-step (γN → K ⁺ Y, Y=Λ, Σ) incoherent production processes on the basis of an appropriate new folding model that takes properly into account the struck-target nucleonremoval energy and the internal momentum distribution (nucleon spectral function), extracted from recent quasielastic-electron-scattering experiments and from many-body calculations based on realistic models of NN interaction. Simple parametrizations of the total and differential cross sections for K ⁺ production in photon-nucleon collisions are presented. A comparison of the model calculations of the K ⁺ differential cross sections for γ¹²C interactions in the threshold region with existing experimental data is given, which displays the contributions to K ⁺ production at considered incident energies from the use of the single-particle part, as well as high momentum and high removal energy part, of the nucleon spectral function. Detailed predictions for the K ⁺ total and differential cross sections for γ²H, γ¹²C, and γ²⁰⁸Pb interactions at subthreshold and near-threshold energies are provided. The effect of the uncertainties in the elementary K ⁺-production cross sections on the K ⁺ yield is explored.     

Levels of 234U and 236U excited by the (d,d') reaction

The energy levels of ²³⁴U and ²³⁶U have been studied through the inelastic scattering of 16 MeV douterons. A magnetic spectrograph was used to momentum-analyse the scattered deuterons at θ = 90° and 125°. Excited in both ²³⁴U and ²³⁶U were the ground state bands up to and including the 8⁺ members, the K^π = 0⁺β-vibrations, the K^π = 2⁺γ-vibrations, and the K^π = 0^? octupole vibrational bands. In ²³⁴U, additional levels at 1023 and 1126 keV are ascribed to a K^π = 2^? band, levels at 1238, 1312, and 1446 keV are identified as members of either a K^π = 0^? or 1^? configuration, and other tentative assignments are made for members of K^π = 1^? and 3^? configurations. Relative reduced transition probabilities, B(E2), to the 2⁺ rotational and γ-vibrational states are generally found to be in good agreement with Coulomb excitation measurements. Relative B(E3) values for the 3^? states excited are slightly higher than the predictions of a microscopic theory of octupole vibrations.     

Proof of comparable K-pair and π-pair production from time-like photons of 1.5, 1.6, and 1.7 GeV and determination of the K-meson electromagnetic form factor

The observation of 21 K⁺K^? pairs in 38 hadron pair events produced at 1.5, 1.6, and 1.7 GeV total centre-of-mass energies in e⁺e^? annihilations, establishes that time-like photons produce K pairs and π pairs with comparable rates in this energy range. The K-meson electromagnetic form factor at a mean s-value of 2.4 GeV² is measured to be |F_K| = 0.50±0.08. The number of e⁺e^? pairs observed in the same angular and energy range is 5148.     

Measurement of the reactions K+d → K+d and K+d → p+pn and an investigation of elastic K+-nucleon scattering at 4.6 GeV/c

The coherent elastic reaction K⁺d → K⁺d and the break-up reaction K⁺d → K⁺pn are studied in a K⁺d experiment at 4.6 GeV/c which the CERN 2 m bubble chamber. Partial and differential cross sections are given and the slopes of the differential cross sections are determined. The results for the reaction K⁺d → K⁺p(n_s), where n_s denotes the spectator neutron, are compared with those of the reaction K⁺p → K⁺p on free protons. Combining our data with existing data on the reactions K⁺d → K⁰pp and K⁺p → K⁺p, parameters of the elastic K⁺-nucleon scattering at 4.6 GeV/c are determined in the framework of the Glauber model. The D-wave of the deuteron and spin-flip effects are taken into account.     

Nuclear levels in228Th populated in the decay of228Pa

The electron-capture decay of²²⁸Pa to levels in²²⁸Th has been studied using mass-separated sources and high-resolutionγ-ray and conversion-electron spectroscopy. A level at 979.5 keV is assigned as 2⁺ member of a second excited K_π=0⁺ band, with the 0⁺ band head at 938.6 keV. The 2⁺ and 3⁺ members of a second excited K_π=2⁺ band at 1153.5 and 1200.5 keV, which decay by strongE0 transitions to the 969 keVγ-vibrational band, are confirmed. In addition we tentatively propose a K_π=1⁺ band at 944 keV. The K_π=0^?, 1^? and 2^? members of the octupole quadruplet are confirmed, and theγ decay of these levels is analysed in an approach, in which the mixing of the octupole bands by the Coriolis interaction is taken into account. It is suggested that octupole correlations might be important for theE1 transition moments. A total of 29 levels is observed between ～1.4 and ～2.0 MeV, for which the nuclear structure, and the possible assignment to rotational bands, is unclear.     

Observation of the leading K1 L-excitation series from JP = 1− through 5− in the reaction K− p → K− π+ n AT 11 GeV/c

High statistics data for the reaction K⁻p→K⁻π⁺n at 11 GeV/c have been obtained in the LASS spectrometer at SLAC. A spherical harmonic moments analysis provides clear evidence for the production of the complete leading orbitally excited K¹ series up through J^P = 5⁻. New measurements are made of the masses and widths of the 1⁻K¹(892), 2⁺K¹(1430 ), 3⁻ K¹(1780), and 4⁺ K¹(2060), and evidence is presented for the production of a new K¹ state at 2382 MeV/c² with spin-parity 5⁻.     

Characterization of polycrystalline (Na,K)β/β′- alumina ceramics

K β′-alumina is unstable at >1300°C. Mixed alkali β′-alumina has a variable stability depending on the alkali ratio, [K⁺]/([Na⁺]+[K⁺]). For f(β)<[K⁺]/([Na⁺]+[K⁺]), the β′-Al₂O₃ phase decomposes to Kβ-Al₂O₃ 0997 0815 V 3 and a solid solution of Na β′-Al₂O₃ and K β′-Al₂O₃. For f(β)=[K⁺]/([Na⁺]+[K⁺], the ceramic consists of K β-Al₂O₃ and Naβ′-Al₂O₃ and for f(β)>[K⁺]/([Na⁺]+[K⁺]), the excess Na⁺ after Na β′-Al₂O₃ dissolves in the β phase, giving Na β-Al₂O₃/K β-Al₂O₃ solid solution and Na β′-Al₂O₃. These sequences were confirmed by measuring the dependence of the c-axis lattice parameters of β- and β′-Al₂O₃ phases on the f(β), and the change of these parameters during the ion-exchange of Na⁺ and K⁺ ions.     

A new study of Kπ scattering between 0.7 and 2 GeV/c2

We present new data on the reaction K⁺d → K⁺π^?p(p), at 5.44 GeV/c. This reaction is dominated by absorbed pion exchange and we have used the data to study K⁺π^? scattering between 0.7 and 2 GeV/c². We find the $\text{I=}\text{1}\text{2}$ s-wave Kπ phase shift increases approximately linearly with mass up to 1.45 GeV/c², and have evidence for a more rapid variation of the s-wave amplitude in the region of 1.5 GeV/c². The so-called “up” branches in the region of the K¹(890) and K¹(1400) are excluded, save for the possibility of narrow s-wave resonances of width <10 MeV/c². We have explained quantitatively every aspect of the data up to 2 GeV/c² with s-, p-, d- and f-waves, finding an f-wave resonance at a mass of ≈1.76 GeV/c² and with a width ≈300 MeV/c². We have obtained new resonance parameters for the K¹(1400) which differ substantially from the currently accepted values.     

Study of γ d → π + π − d Reaction in an Energy Region of 0.67 ≤ E γ ≤ 1.08 GeV

Double charged pion photoproductions from the deuteron have been studied at Research Center for Electron Photon Science (ELPH), Tohoku University. Tagged photon beams in an energy range of 0.67 ≤ E _γ ≤ 1.08 GeV were impinged on the liquid deuteron target. Produced charged particles were observed with the Neutral Kaon Spectrometer2 (NKS2). The γ d → π ⁺ π ^? d process was clearly separated among the three charged tracks. We obtained the photon energy dependence of the normalized yields of this process.     

Measurement of the branching ratios for Kμ2+, Kπ2+, Ke3+ and Ke3+ decays using a magnetic spectrometer with streamer chambers

The momenta of ～30 000 charged particles from K⁺ decays were measured using a magnetic spectrometer with streamer chambers. The ratio R = Γ(K_π2⁺)/Γ(K_μ2⁺) = 0.3355 ± 0.0057 was obtained. Our values for the branching ratios are: (63.18±0.43)% for K_μ2⁺, (21.18±0.33)% for K_π2⁺, (3.33±0.51)% for K_μ3⁺, (4.99±0.54)% for K_e3⁺.     

Enhancement of shake-up structure in alkali-metal-ion exchanged forms of α-Zr(HPO4)2 by sputtering

Mg Kα ESCA spectra of several α-Zr(PO₄)₂M₂ compounds (M = Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺) have been obtained. Satellite structure is observed at ～7–8 eV from the main P 2s peak (corresponding to ～15–16 eV from the main Zr 3d_{$\text{5}\text{2}$} peak). The intensity of the satellite depends on the counter-ion intercalated. For a given counter-ion it is strongly increased by sputtering, the rate of increase being also dependent on the counter-ion. This observation is interpreted mainly in terms of electron-defect formation similar to that involved in the formation of colour centres by radiation damage, and subsequent charge-transfer shake-up of the trapped electrons to the electron-deficient phosphorus or Zr(IV) centres.     

A study of four- and six-body reactions in π+ andK + p interactions at 250 GeV/c

Data on the reactions (K ⁺/π⁺)p→(K ⁺/π⁺)pπ⁺π^- and (K ⁺/π⁺)p→(K ⁺/π⁺)p2π⁺2π^-, obtained with the European Hybrid Spectrometer, are presented and compared with data at lower energies. The contribution of beam and target diffractive dissociation and double Pomeron exchange, and porperties of these reactions are discussed.