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.     

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.     

Data on photoneutron reactions from various experiments for <Superscript>133</Superscript>Cs, <Superscript>138</Superscript>Ba and <Superscript>209</Superscript>Bi nuclei

Basic methods for determining cross sections for photoneutron partial reactions are examined. They are obtained directly in experiments with quasimonoeneregetic annihilation photons or from the cross section for the (γ, xn) = (γ, 1n) + 2(γ, 2n) + 3(γ, 3n) +... neutron-yield reaction in experiments with bremsstrahlung photons by introducing corrections based on statistical nuclear-reaction theory. The difference in the conditions of these experiments, which leads to discrepancies between their results because of sizable systematic errors, is analyzed. Physical criteria are used to study the reliability of data on the photodisintegration of ¹³³Cs, ¹³⁸Ba, and ²⁰⁹Bi nuclei. The cross sections for partial and total reactions satisfying the reliability criteria are evaluated within the experimental–theoretical method (σ^eval(γ, in) = F_i^theor × σ^expt(γ, xn)) on the basis of the experimental cross sections σ^expt(γ, xn) and the results of the calculations within the combined model of photonuclear reactions.     

Modern status of photonuclear data

The reliability of experimental cross sections obtained for (γ, 1n), (γ, 2n), and (γ, 3n) partial photoneutron reactions using beams of quasimonoenergetic annihilation photons and bremsstrahlung is analyzed by employing data for a large number of medium-heavy and heavy nuclei, including those of ^63,65Cu, ⁸⁰Se, ^90,91,94Zr, ¹¹⁵In, ^112?124Sn, ¹³³Cs, ¹³⁸Ba, ¹⁵⁹Tb, ¹⁸¹Ta, ^186?192Os, ¹⁹⁷Au, ²⁰⁸Pb, and ²⁰⁹Bi. The ratios of the cross sections of definite partial reactions to the cross section of the neutron-yield reaction, F _i = σ(γ, in)/σ(γ, xn), are used as criteria of experimental-data reliability. By definition, positive values of these ratios should not exceed the upper limits of 1.00, 0.50, 0.33,... for i = 1, 2, 3,..., respectively. For many nuclei, unreliable values of the above ratios were found to correlate clearly in various photon-energy regions F _i with physically forbidden negative values of cross sections of partial reactions. On this basis, one can conclude that correspondent experimental data are unreliable. Significant systematic uncertainties of the methods used to determine photoneutron multiplicity are shown to be the main reason for this. New partial-reaction cross sections that satisfy the above data-reliability criteria were evaluated within an experimental–theoretical method [σ ^eval(γ, in) = F _i ^theor (γ, in) × σ ^expt(γ, xn)] by employing the ratios F _i ^theor (γ, in) calculated on the basis of a combined photonuclear-reaction model. It was obtained that cross sections evaluated in this way deviate substantially from the results of many experiments performed via neutron-multiplicity sorting, but, at the same time, agree with the results of alternative activation experiments. Prospects of employing methods that would provide, without recourse to photoneutron-multiplicity sorting, reliable data on cross sections of partial photoneutron reactions are discussed.     

New data on the mechanism of decay of the giant dipole resonance in the <Superscript>58</Superscript>Ni nucleus

New data on the mechanism of decay of the giant dipole resonance in the ⁵⁸Ni nucleus are obtained from an analysis of the experimental cross sections for the photonucleon reactions ⁵⁸Ni(γ, p_i)⁵⁷Co and ⁵⁸Ni(γ, n_i)⁵⁷Ni. The method used in this analysis takes into account both the energy spread of the dipole strength concentrated in various isospin components of the giant dipole resonance and the spread of the spectroscopic strength of the populated nucleon-hole states over the levels of the final nuclei. The entire body of experimental spectroscopic information about the levels of the final nuclei ⁵⁷Co and ⁵⁷Ni is employed. It is found that the probability of the semidirect mechanism of decay of the giant dipole resonance in the ⁵⁷Ni nucleus lies in the range 0.16–0.3. The probability of semidirect processes is much higher in the (γ, n) channel (0.28–0.62) than in the (γ, p) channel (0.07–0.17).     

Study of <Superscript>179</Superscript>Hf<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>2</Superscript> excitation

Isomeric ratios of ¹⁷⁹Hf ^m2,g yields in the (γ, n) reaction and the cross section for the ¹⁷⁹Hf ^m2 population in the (α, p) reaction are measured for the first time at the end-point energies of 15.1 and 17.5 MeV for bremsstrahlung photons and 26 MeV for alpha particles. The results are σ = (1.1 ± 0.11) × 10^?27 cm² for the ¹⁷⁶Lu(α, p)¹⁷⁹Hf ^m2 reaction and Y _m2/Y _g = (6.1 ± 0.3) × 10^?6 and (3.7 ± 0.2) × 10^?6 for the ¹⁸⁰Hf(γ, n)¹⁷⁹Hf ^m22 reaction at Е _ep =15.1 and 17.5 MeV, respectively. The experimental data on the relative ¹⁷⁹Hf ^m2 yield indicate a single-humped shape of the excitation function for the ¹⁸⁰Hf(γ, n)¹⁷⁹Hf ^m2 reaction. Simulation is performed using the TALYS-1.4 and EMPIRE-3.2 codes.     

The Reliability of Cross Sections of Partial Photoneutron Reactions for <Superscript>98</Superscript>Mo

The cross sections of partial photoneutron reactions for ⁹⁸Mo were evaluated. These cross sections are free from the shortcomings of various methods for neutron multiplicity determination used at the beams of quasimonoenergetic annihilation photons and bremsstrahlung radiation. New data on the cross sections of reactions (γ, 1n), (γ, 2n), and (γ, 3n) were obtained using the experimental–theoretical method for evaluation of cross sections of partial reactions satisfying the introduced physical reliability criteria. It is demonstrated that considerable deviations of the experimental cross sections from the evaluated ones result from an inaccurate sorting of neutrons between channels with a multiplicity of 1, 2, and 3.     

Excitation functions for complete-fusion and transfer reactions in <Superscript>4</Superscript>He interaction with <Superscript>197</Superscript>Au nuclei

Excitation functions are measured for the fusion reactions ¹⁹⁷Au(⁴He, xn)^201?xn Tl that are induced by alpha-particle interaction with gold nuclei in the energy range 14–36 MeV and in which x neutrons (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) are evaporated. The stack-activation technique was used to record and separate reaction products. Experimental data on the fusion reactions followed by evaporation of one to three neutrons agree with results of previous studies. For the radiative-capture reaction ¹⁹⁷Au(⁴He,γ)²⁰¹Tl, the upper limit on the cross section proved to be much lower. The excitation functions for the reactions subjected to measurements are compared with the results of calculations based on the statistical model and with the results of an experiment performed previously in a ⁶He beam.     

Spectra and mean energies of prompt neutrons from <Superscript>238</Superscript>U fission induced by primary neutrons of energy in the region <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript><20 MeV

The time-of-flight technique is used to measure the ratios R(E, E _n )=N(E, E _n )/N_Cf(E) of the normalized (to unity) spectra N(E, E _n ) of neutrons accompanying the neutron-induced fission of ²³⁸U at primary-neutron energies of E _n =6.0 and 7.0 MeV to the spectrum N_Cf(E) neutrons from the spontaneous fission of ²⁵²Cf. These experimental data and the results of their analysis are discussed together with data that were previously obtained for the neutron-induced fission of ²³⁸U at the primary energies of E _n =2.9, 5.0, 13.2, 14.7, 16.0, and 17.7 MeV.     

Effect of the Lattice and Spin-Phonon Contributions on the Temperature Behavior of the Ground State Splitting of Gd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in SrMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The temperature behavior of the EPR spectra of the Gd³⁺ impurity center in single crystals of SrMoO₄ in the temperature range T = 99–375 K is studied. The analysis of the temperature dependences of the spin Hamiltonian b ₂ ⁰ (T) = b₂(F) + b₂(L) and P ₂ ⁰ (T) = P₂(F) + P₂(L) (for Gd¹⁵⁷) describing the EPR spectrum and contributing to the Gd³⁺ ground state splitting ΔE is carried out. In terms of the Newman model, the values of b₂(L) and P₂(L) depending on the thermal expansion of the static lattice are estimated; the b₂(F) and P₂(F) spin-phonon contributions determined by the lattice ion oscillations are separated. The analysis of b ₂ ⁰ (T) and P ₂ ⁰ (T) is evidence of the positive contribution of the spin-phonon interaction; the model of the local oscillations of the impurity cluster with close frequencies ω describes well the temperature behavior of b₂(F) and P₂(F).     

Refractometry of mechanically compressed (NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystals

The effect of uniaxial mechanical pressure σ _m ≤ 150 bar on the spectral (300–800 nm) dependence of the birefringerence Δn _i and refractive indices n _i of (NH₄)₂SO₄ crystals has been investigated. It is shown that the dispersion of n _i (λ) and Δn _i (λ) is normal and sharply increases with approach to the absorption edge. It is established that uniaxial pressure does not change the character of the dispersions dn _i /dλ and dΔn _i /dλ and only affects their magnitudes. It is shown that the increase in the refractive indices under uniaxial stress is mainly due to the increase in the refraction caused by the increase in the band gap and long-wavelength shift of the UV absorption band maximum.     

Optical properties of mechanically compressed K<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystals

The effect of a uniaxial mechanical compression (σ_m ≤ 100 bar) on the spectral dependences (300–800 nm) of the birefringence Δn _i and refractive indices n _i of K₂SO₄ crystals is studied. The electronic polarizabilities, refractions, and parameters (λ_0i , B _1i ) of ultraviolet oscillators of mechanically compressed crystals are calculated. It is shown that the dispersions of Δn _i(λ) and n _i(λ) are normal and sharply increase near the absorption edge. It is found that the uniaxial compression changes the value of the dispersions dΔn _i/dλ and dn _i/dλ rather than their character. It is ascertained that the simultaneous action of the compressions σ_x and σ_z, as well as of σ_y and σ_z, leads to the appearance of new isotropic states in the K₂SO₄ crystal, which manifests itself in the equality of corresponding birefringences. It is shown that the baric dependences n _i(σ) are determined by the change in the density of oscillators (～30%), by the shift of the absorption edge and effective band maximum and by the change in the oscillator strength (～70%).     

Prompt-fission-neutrons spectra of <Superscript>238</Superscript>U

The spectra of prompt fission neutrons from the reaction ²³⁸U(n, F) for neutrons of energy in the range E _n ≤ 20 MeV are interpreted within the statistical model. It is shown that exclusive spectra of prefission neutrons emitted in (n, xnf) reactions play a decisive role in describing the observed promptfission-neutron spectra and determine the average energies of prompt-fission neutrons. The dependence of the effect of prefission neutrons on the fissility of a target nucleus is demonstrated for the reactions ²³²Th(n, F), ²³⁵U(n, F), and ²³⁹Pu(n, F).     

Zum Kernphotoeffekt am Ar40 und Ar38

Liquid Argon was irradiated with bremsstrahlung from 18 to 31 MeV endpoint energy in steps of 2 MeV. The yields of the reactions Ar⁴⁰(γ, n)+(γ, p) and Ar³⁸(γ, n) were measured by detecting the 269a and the 35d rest activity with a low-level-counter. Cross section curves for the (γ, n)-processes could be found from the yield values, and they allowed together withσ _N, σ(γ, p) andσ(γ, np) a determination ofσ(γ, 2n) and σ_γabs for Ar⁴⁰. The integrated cross section forσ(γ, n) from threshold to 33 MeV yields (200±40) MeVmb for Ar⁴⁰ and (210±40) MeVmb for Ar³⁸, the corresponding value for σ_γabs being (450±60) MeVmb for Ar⁴⁰.     

Characteristics of the Li<Superscript>+</Superscript>-Ion Conductivity of Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>R<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> Crystals (R = Fe,Sc) in the Superionic State

The characteristics of Li+-ion conductivity σdc of structural γ modifications of Li₃R₂(PO₄)₃ compounds (R = Fe, Sc) existing in the superionic state have been investigated by impedance spectroscopy. The type of structural framework [R₂P₃O₁₂]_∞^3- affects the σdc value and the σdc activation enthalpy in these compounds. The ion transport activation enthalpy in γ-Li₃R₂(PO₄)₃ (ΔH_σ = 0.31 ± 0.03 eV) is lower than in γ-Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃ (ΔH_σ = 0.36 ± 0.03 eV). The conductivity of γ-Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃ (σ_dc = 0.02 S/cm at 573 K) is twice as high as that of γ-Li₃R₂(PO₄)₃. A decrease in temperature causes a structural transformation of Li₃R₂(PO₄)₃ from the superionic γ modification (space group Pcan) through the intermediate metastable β modification (space group P2₁/n) into the “dielectric” α modification (space group P2₁/n). Upon cooling, σdc for both phosphates decreases by a factor of about 100 at the superionic TSIC transition. In Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃ σdc gradually decreases in the temperature range T_SIC = 430–540 K, whereas in Li₃R₂(PO₄)₃ σdc undergoes a jump at T_SIC = 540 ± 25 K. Possible crystallochemical factors responsible for the difference in the σdc and ΔH_σ values and the thermodynamics and kinetics of the superionic transition for Li₃R₂(PO₄)₃ are discussed.     

Many-electron character of Rydberg series converging to the ionization thresholds of the 4<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis><Superscript>4</Superscript>5<Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis> states of KrII

The photoionization cross sections of the 4p shell and the 4s main level and 4p ⁴(³ P) 5s ⁴ P _{5/2, 3/2} satellite subvalence levels of KrII have been calculated in the 4s-near-threshold range of excitation energies from 28.48 to 28.70 eV. The calculation takes into account the core relaxation by the methods of the theory of non-orthogonal orbitals, the interaction between resonant states through autoionization channels by solving the complex secular equation, and the interaction between the channels of the continuous spectrum in all orders of the perturbation theory by the K-matrix method. Good quantitative agreement between the energy-integrated theoretical and experimental photoionization cross sections for the satellite levels has been obtained for the first time. It is shown that only simultaneous consideration of the above-mentioned effects leads to such agreement. The resonant structure of the photoionization cross sections in this excitation energy range is related to the autoionization decay of the 4p ⁴5s(⁴ P _1/2)np and 4p ⁴5s(² P _3/2)np Rydberg series. The specificity of this process is that both series manifest themselves not independently but owing to their strong electrostatic interaction with the prominent 4p ⁴(¹ D)5s ² D _5/2 6p _3/2 resonance, which lies in this excitation energy range.     

New data on (γ, n), (γ, 2n), and (γ, 3n) partial photoneutron reactions

Systematic discrepancies between the results of various experiments devoted to determining cross sections for total and partial photoneutron reactions are analyzed by using objective criteria of reliability of data in terms of the transitional photoneutron-multiplicity function F _i = σ(γ, in)/σ(γ, xn), whose values for i = 1, 2, 3, ... cannot exceed by definition 1.00, 0.50, 0.33, ..., respectively. It was found that the majority of experimental data on the cross sections obtained for (γ, n), (γ, 2n), and (γ, 3n) reactions with the aid of methods of photoneutron multiplicity sorting do not meet objective criteria (in particular, F ₂ > 0.50 for a vast body of data). New data on the cross sections for partial reactions on ¹⁸¹Ta and ²⁰⁸Pb nuclei were obtained within a new experimental-theoretical method that was proposed for the evaluation of cross sections for partial reactions and in which the experimental neutron yield cross section σ ^expt(γ, xn) = σ(γ, n) + 2σ(γ, 2n) + 3σ(γ, 3n) + ..., which is free from problems associated with determining neutron multiplicities, is used simultaneously with the functions F _i ^theor calculated within a combined model of photonuclear reactions.     

Experimental Study and Analysis of Absorption Spectra of Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Ions in Nickel Orthoborate Ni<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The results of studies of the absorption spectra of nickel orthoborate Ni₃(BO₃)₂ in the range of electronic d–d-transitions are reported. The obtained data are analyzed in the framework of the crystal field theory. The Ni²⁺ ions are located in two crystallographically nonequivalent positions 2a and 4f with point symmetry groups C_2h and C₂, respectively, surrounded by six oxygen ions forming deformed octahedra. The absorption spectra exhibit three intense bands corresponding to spin-resolved transitions from the ground state of nickel ion ³A_2g (³F) to the sublevels of the ³T_2g (³F), ³T_1g (³F) and ³T_1g (³P) triplets split by the spinorbit interaction and the rhombic component of the crystal field. At temperatures below 100 K, the spectra exhibit a thin structure, in which phonon-free lines can be distinguished. Comparison of the calculated frequencies of the zero-phonon transitions with the experimental data allows estimating parameters of the crystal field acting on the nickel ions in the 2a- and 4f-positions, as well as the parameters of electrostatic interaction between the 3d electrons and spin-orbit interaction constants.     

Evaluation of Reliable Cross Sections of Partial and Total Photoneutron Reactions for the <Superscript>139</Superscript>La Nucleus

Cross sections of partial photoneutron reactions free of the shortcomings of different ways of determining the multiplicity of neutrons used on beams of quasi-monoenergetic annihilation photons are evaluated for ¹³⁹La. The experimental-theoretical method of evaluation of partial reaction cross sections satisfying proposed data reliability criteria is used to obtain new data on the cross sections of reactions (γ, 1n), (γ, 2n), and (γ, 3n). It is shown that noticeable deviations of experimental cross sections from evaluated values are due to the unreliable sorting of neutrons between channels with multiplicities of 1, 2, and 3.     

Evaluated Cross Sections of Photoneutron Reactions on the Isotope <Superscript>116</Superscript>Sn and Spectra of Neutrons Originating from These Reactions

With the aid of the results obtained by evaluating cross sections of partial photoneutron reactions on the isotope ¹¹⁶Sn and the energy spectra of neutrons originating from these reactions, the possible reasons for the well-known discrepancies between the results of different photonuclear experiments were studied on the basis of a combinedmodel of photonuclear reactions. On the basis of physical criteria of data reliability and an experimental–theoretical method for evaluating cross sections of partial reactions, it was found that these discrepancies were due to unreliably redistributing neutrons between (γ, 1n), (γ, 2n), and (γ, 3n) reactions because of nontrivial correlations between the experimentally measured energy of neutrons and their multiplicity.