Inelastic scattering of heavy ions at intermediate energies with excitations of nuclear collective states

Excitation of low-lying nuclear collective states upon scattering of heavy ions with energies of several tens of MeV/nucleon has been studied. The interaction potential leading to excitation is chosen in the form of a derivative of the microscopic (or semimicroscopic) nucleus-nucleus double-folding optical potential. Elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections have been calculated within the high-energy approximation; the inelastic scattering amplitude was obtained in the first order in the deformation parameter. The cross sections are compared with the experimental data on scattering of ¹⁷O from a series of nuclei with excitation of the 2⁺ level.     

Lasers as a bridge between atomic and nuclear physics

This paper reviews the application of visible and ultraviolet laser radiation to several topics in low-energy nuclear physics. We consider laser-induced nuclear anti-Stokes transitions, laser-assisted and laser-induced internal conversion, and the electron bridge and inverse electron bridge mechanisms as tools for deexcitation and excitation of low-lying nuclear isomeric states. A study of the anomalously low-lying nuclear isomeric states (in the case of the ²²⁹Th nucleus) is presented in detail.     

Nuclear structure investigations in spherical heavy nuclei by means of inelastic electron scattering

Inelastic electron scattering form factors for the low-lying 2⁺ and 3^? excitations in⁸⁸Sr and the first 3^? excitation in²⁰⁸Pb are calculated on the basis of a microscopic nuclear model making use of various residual two-particle interactions. The aim is to draw conclusions from the comparison of the theoretical and experimental data upon the nuclear model itself and upon the employed residual interactions. Further experimental data especially for high momentum transfers will be needed for the excitations in⁸⁸Sr. The existing data for²⁰⁸Pb show that the used effective interactions are not yet satisfactory.     

Excitation of nuclei in a hot, dense plasma: Feasibility of experiments with 201Hg

It is shown that in a plasma produced on the surface of a sample consisting of a natural mixture of mercury isotopes, ∼10⁴−10^{5 201}Hg nuclei can be excited into the low-lying isomeric level 1/2⁻ (1.561 keV) by an ultrashort laser pulse with energy ≈1 J, duration ≈200 fs, and intensity ≈10¹⁶ W/cm² and the lifetime of the level can be determined. Possible mechanisms leading to the excitation of ²⁰¹Hg nuclei by photons and electrons in a dense, hot plasma are examined and the cross sections of the processes are estimated. Schemes for detecting the effect are proposed. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 66, No. 5, 312–316 (10 September 1997)     

Isomeric Level of the <Superscript>229</Superscript>Th Nucleus and Its Population in the Coulomb Excitation Reaction

Electromagnetical properties of the deformed neutron-odd nucleus of ²²⁹Th are considered on the basis of a unified nuclear model. Particular attention is given to the properties of the low-lying isomeric 3/2⁺ state. The possibility of its population in the Coulomb excitation reaction is studied.     

Electronic states and spectroscopic properties of MgH in absence and presence of spin–orbit coupling − a configuration interaction study

Electronic spectrum of astrophysically important molecule magnesium hydride (MgH) has been studied using configuration interaction methodology excluding and including spin–orbit coupling. Potential energy curves of several spin-independent (Λ?S) electronic states have been constructed and spectroscopic constants of low-lying bound Λ?S states within 8.2 eV of term energy are reported in the first stage of calculations. The X²Σ⁺ is identified as the ground state in the Λ?S level. In the subsequent stage, the spin–orbit interaction has been incorporated and its effects on the potential energy curves and spectroscopic features of different electronic states of the species have been investigated. The X²Σ⁺_1/2 is identified as the spin–orbit (Ω) ground state of the species. Transition moments of several dipole-allowed transitions are computed in both the stages and radiative lifetimes of the corresponding excited states are computed. Electric dipole moments (µ) for a number of low-lying bound Λ?S states as well as several low-lying Ω-states are also calculated in the present study.     

Excitation energies of barium oxide bands measured in flames

Experiments are described that yield additional information about the excitation energy of visible barium oxide bands appearing in flames. Excitation energy differences are derived directly from the ratios of thermal band intensities as a function of temperature and agree with the value calculated from the known (relative) energy-level diagram. Absolute excitation energies are derived from the temperature dependence of the ratio of band-to-line intensity under thermal equilibrium conditions and under the assumption of a most probable value for the dissociation energy of BaO. Flames with temperatures ranging from 1911 to 2886 K were used. The excitation energy values found can be reconciled with the assumption that the lower ¹∑ state of the optical transitions is the electronic ground state only if there are low-lying electronic levels that contribute at least a factor of 6 to the electronic partition function.     

A study of the93Nb levels populated via the (n,n′ γ) reaction

De-excitation γ-rays from levels in⁹³Nb up to 2203 keV were observed following inelastic neutron scattering at incident energies between 0.6 and 2.575 MeV. The energy level and decay modes of⁹³Nb are deduced. Spin and parity assignments are based on the comparison of the experimental (n, n′) cross sections with calculated cross sections using Hauser-Feshbach theory corrected for level-width fluctuation corrections. The low-lying levels of⁹³Nb have been studied within the framework of the vibration-particle model to account for their energy and spin assignments, as well as the reduced transition probabilities measured in Coulomb excitation experiments.     

A theoretical study of potential energy curves and spectroscopic constants of VC

Potential energy curves for the various low-lying electronic states of VC have been studied using complete active space multi-configuration self-consistent field (CASMCSCF) followed by first-order and multireference singles and doubles configuration interaction (FOCI, MRSDCI) calculations. The MRSDCI calculations included up to 6 million configurations. Two very low-lying electronic states are found as candidates for the ground state of VC, namely a high spin state ⁴Δ and a low-spin ²Δ state, which is favoured at higher levels. A number of low-lying excited electronic states of VC are predicted, which are yet to be observed. The low-lying electronic states of VC are found to be ionic as inferred from the dipole moments and the charge density calculations. Electron donation and the back-donation process are suggested to be operative in the V-C bond formation.     

Wigner crystals of 229Th for optical excitation of the nuclear isomer

We have produced laser-cooled Wigner crystals of 229Th3+ in a linear Paul trap. The magnetic dipole (A) and electric quadrupole (B) hyperfine constants for four low-lying electronic levels and the relative isotope shifts with respect to 232Th3+ for three low-lying optical transitions are measured. Using the hyperfine B constants in conjunction with prior atomic structure calculations, a new value of the spectroscopic nuclear electric quadrupole moment Q=3.11(16) eb is deduced. These results are a step towards optical excitation of the low-lying isomer level in the 229Th nucleus.     

Untersuchung der niedrigliegenden Niveaus des54Fe durch die (p,p′γγ)-Reaktion

The low-lying levels of⁵⁴Fe were studied. The method ofγ γ-triple-correlations was used. Angular distributions were also measured. The levels at 2.5 MeV were found to be a doublett, withI=0(⁺) for the 2563 keV-level andI=4(⁺ or 2(⁺) for the lower level at 2539 keV. The experimental level scheme is compared with calculations according to nuclear models.     

Structure and stability of various states of the EuC and EuC2 molecules

B3LYP level density functional theory （DFT） and multiconfiguration self-consistent-field （MCSCF） level ab initio method calculations have been performed on the basis of relativistic effective core potentials to investigate the nature of EuC and EuC2 molecules. The computed results indicate that the ground states of EuC and EuC2 are ^12∑^＋ and SA2, respectively. Dissociation potential energy curves of the low-lying electronic states of EuC have been calculated using the MCSCF method, and the same level calculation on EuC2 indicates that the dissociation energy of EuC2 of ground state compares well with the available experimental data. The bond characteristic is also discussed using Mulliken populations.     

A shell-model description of 0+ intruder states in even-even nuclei

Starting from the nuclear shell structure in medium-heavy and heavy nuclei, the excitation energy for low-lying 0⁺ intruder states is studied. Taking as a simplified model two particle-two hole (2p-2h) excitations across closed shells, the effects of the pairing and the proton-neutron (monopole and quadrupole component) residual interaction on the unperturbed energies are calculated. Application to major closed-shell (fZ = 50, Z = 82) and to subshell (Z = 40, Z = 64) regions is performed. We especially concentrate on 0⁺ intruder states in the even-even Pb nuclei.     

Viscosity effect on the fluorescent and conformational properties of 2-N-piperidino-5-(2′,2′-dicyanovinyl)thiophene

The mechanism of deactivation of the electronic excitation energy of 2-N-piperidino-5-(2′,2′-dicyanovinyl)thiophene is studied by the methods of fluorescence and quantum chemical calculations. The increase in the fluorescence quantum yield from 0.0004 in n-hexane at room temperature to 1 in an EPA mixture at 77 K is determined by an increase in the viscosity (rigidity) of the medium hindering the rotation of molecular fragments. The efficient nonradiative process in a molecule with the probability ≤2.5×10¹¹ s^?1 results mainly from rotation about the C12–C13 bond and the transition to an intermediate state with a low-lying energy level.     

Laser-induced nuclear excitation

An analysis is presented of the Coulomb excitation of low-lying nuclear levels by the electrons produced by strong-field ionization of atoms. It is shown that the resulting short-lived radioactivity can be as high as on the order of 10³ Ci for certain isotopes excited by using modern laser systems. Relativistic effects are demonstrated that substantially increase radioactivity as compared to that predicted by nonrelativistic theory results.     

First observation of F

We measured the excitation function for ¹³O + p elastic scattering to obtain data on the unknown ¹⁴F nucleus. The ground state and several low-lying excited states in ¹⁴F were observed and spin/parity assignments were made. ¹⁴F appears to be much less unstable than was predicted. We compare theoretical predictions for the ¹⁴F level scheme with the experimental results.     

Empirical and theoretical fusion barriers for1H and4He: Connections to evaporation from hot nuclei

Fusion excitation functions for¹H and⁴He have been compared to a one-dimensional, barrier-penetration model. In contrast to fusion for heavier nuclei this simple model is completely adequate, except for the statically deformed targed²³³U. Empirical barrier heights are obtained and compared to those from two theoretical nuclear potentials. These empirical barriers (from cold reactants) are used as input for calculating evaporation spectra that arise from hot nuclear emitters. The excess of observed low-energy¹H and⁴He emission signals information content concerning distortions of the hot nuclei.     

多参考组态相互作用方法研究ZnHg低激发态(1∏，3∏)的势能曲线和解析势能函数

采用多参考组态相互作用方法计算了ZnHg二聚体两个低激发∏态(¹∏，³∏)的原子间相互作用势能曲线. 用Murrel-Sorbie函数拟合得到了相应的解析势能函数，并用其计算力常数，进而确定了光谱常数. 所得结果与仅有的理论工作进行了比较. 基于所得势能曲线，通过解分子中原子核运动的薛定谔方程预测了各电子态的振动能级. 关键词： 势能曲线 解析势能函数 光谱常数 振动能级     

A study of the 99Tc(p,d)98Tc reaction

The energy levels of ⁹⁸Tc were studied with the ⁹⁹Tc(p, d)⁹⁸Tc reaction at a bombarding energy of 22.9 MeV and 15 keV resolution (FWHM). The Q-value for this reaction was found to be ?6.755 ± 0.009 MeV and the ⁹⁸Tc mass excess was calculated to be ?86.421 ± 0.011 MeV. This reaction provided the excitation energies for 49 neutron hole states below 1.5 MeV excitation. Comparison of experimental angular distributions with DWBA calculations permitted assignment of lf-values and the extraction of spectroscopic factors for 44 of these levels. Extensive configuration mixing is observed except in the low-lying multiplet. Effective proton-particle, neutron-hole interaction matrix elements were obtained from the low-lying positive-parity multiplet of ⁹⁸Tc.     

Generating an Inversion on a Nuclear Transition – Photopumping of 103Rh

Quite a number of proposals for a gamma-ray laser have been made over the years. One first step on the way to a gamma-ray laser is an inversion between nuclear states. For the natural isotope ¹⁰³Rh we have the favorable condition that there are two low-lying nuclear levels at energies of 357 keV and 295 keV with lifetimes of 107 ps and 9.7 ps, respectively. With two Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence (NRF) measurements the population of these low-lying levels via feeding from higher-lying levels was investigated. Altogether 26 higher-lying nuclear levels that show a branching to one or even both interesting low-lying levels have been found. Summing over all contributions from these feeding levels this results in a population inversion between the levels at 357 keV and 295 keV of ¹⁰³Rh. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.