The sub-Coulomb 12C + 12C resonances in a microscopic 12C+12C,α+20Ne, 8Be+16O cluster basis

The low-J resonances in the Coulomb barrier region of the ¹² C+¹²C system are investigated in the framework of a microscopic cluster model basis including ¹²C+¹²C, α+ ²⁰Ne, and su8 Be+ ¹⁶O fragment decompositions. Calculations are carried out in an orthogonality condition model approximation in which Pauli-forbidden components are properly excluded from the basis but in which the interaction among cluster fragments is approximated by a local potential, obtained from a gaussian NN interaction by a folding procedure leading to both spherical and Q · Q terms. Only minor adjustments of overall strength and fall-off parameters are introduced to gain a consistent picture of the low-energy spectrum in the separate rearrangement channels. The basis includes cluster relative motion excitations with oscillator quanta from 12 to 20 and is not quite rich enough to give a detailed quantitative comparison between theory and experiment. Predicted excitation energies are too high by ~ 3 MeV and predicted ¹²C partial widths are too small to indicate a well-developed surface-peaked molecular character; but it does appear possible to identify a 5 MeV region as the potential seat of the 0⁺, 2⁺, 4⁺ resonances. The number and approximate spacing of the resonance fine structure components are in agreement with experiment.     

16O, 24, 26Mg, 28Si, 32S, 40Ca(α, 12C) and multi-α-cluster transfer reactions

The (α, ¹²C) reaction has been studied on a variety of nuclei, A = 16 to 40, at E_α = 90.3 MeV. The data indicate a rapid fall-off of cross sections with increasing target mass, approximately as A_t^{?5 ± 1}. This and other systematics are used to estimate cross sections for multi-α-cluster transfer reactions in heavy nuclei and suggest σ_T < 10^?34 cm² consistent with present experimental limits. The data for ²⁴Mg(α, ¹²C)¹⁶O has been studied in more detail and indicates a selective population of final states including ¹⁶O g.s., with oscillatory angular distributions in some instances. Finite-range distorted-wave Born approximation calculations for direct ⁸Be pickup have been performed utilizing cluster overlap amplitudes obtained with zero-order SU(3) wave functions. The calculations are in qualitative, and often quantitative, agreement with shapes and absolute magnitudes of the measured angular distributions although the cross sections for certain α-cluster states (2⁺, E_x ≈ 7 MeV; 4⁺, E_x ≈ 10.3 MeV) are greatly overestimated with this model. Other more complicated mechanisms, such as successive α-transfer, cannot be excluded. The systematics of the calculated ⁸Be cluster overlaps and the calculated and measured (α, ¹²C) cross sections are investigated, and implications for multi-α-cluster transfer reactions are discussed.     

Reactions of 40Ar with 159Tb, 142Nd and 144Sm; New α-activities from 189Bi, 173Pt and 177Au

Reactions of ⁴⁰Ar ions with targets of ¹⁵⁹Tb, ¹⁴²Nd, and ¹⁴⁴Sm have been studied at energies below 300 MeV with a helium gas-jet system. Excitation functions for (Ar, xn) reactions, where x = 5–10, were obtained for the radioactive products that decay by α-emission. Based on the characteristics of these excitation functions and on the systematics of α-decay, evidence is presented for the existence of the nuclides ¹⁸⁹Bi with α-particle energy E_α = 6.67±0.01 MeV and half-life < 1.5 sec, and ¹⁷³Pt with E_α = 6.19±0.01 MeV; and for the emission from ¹⁷⁷Au of an α-particle with E_α = 6.15±0.01 MeV.     

The 12C(18O, α)26Mg and 12C(18O, 8Be)22Ne reaction

Excitation functions for α-emission leading to the ground and first excited states of ²⁶Mg and ⁸Be emission leading to the ground and first and second excited states of ²²Ne have been measured at several forward angles for E_c.m. = 15 to 22.4 MeV. There is little evidence for correlated structure. The angular distribution at 16.5 MeV for the α + ²⁶Mg(g.s.) channel is rather structureless while that for the ⁸Be+²²Ne(g.s.) channel appears to be dominated by a J = 13 contribution. Statistical model calculations indicate that much of the yield for both the α and ⁸Be exit channel is compound nuclear in origin, with some indication of a larger direct contribution for the ⁸Be channel at the lower end of the bombarding energy range.     

The α-transfer reactions 27Al(6Li,d)31P, 29Si(6Li,d)33S and 31P(6Li,d)35Cl at 36 MeV

The α-transfer reactions ²⁷Al(⁶Li, d)³¹P, ²⁹Si(⁶Li, d)³³S and ³¹P(⁶Li, d)³⁵Cl have been studied at a ⁶Li energy of 36 MeV. Absolute cross sections and angular distributions have been measured and an exact finite-range distorted-wave Born approximation analysis assuming a direct cluster transfer has been used to extract from the data α-particle spectroscopic strengths for levels populated in ³¹P, ³³S and ³⁵Cl in the three reactions respectively. The results show that in the case of most of the low-lying excited states of ³¹P, a single value of L of the transferred α-particle contributes, though a multiplicity of L-values are allowed by angular momentum selection rules. It is also found that the α-particle spectroscopic strength of the ground state of ³¹P is a factor of 2 more than the strengths of the ground states of ³³S and ³⁵Cl. The α-spectroscopic strengths of ground states of these, as well as other odd-A s-d shell nuclei, are compared with the presently available shell model calculations.     

Beta-decay of 32C1 and 40Sc

The β⁺ decays of ³²C1 and ⁴⁰Sc have been investigated with a rabbit system. New β-branches and γ-lines are reported. Branching ratios and log ft values are determined. The 6.66 MeV state of ³²S is shown to have J^π = 1⁺ or 2⁺.     

Doubly radiative neutron capture by 2H, 3He, 16O and 208Pb

Cross-sections for doubly radiative thermal neutron capture on ²H, ³He, ¹⁶O and²⁰⁸Pb are calculated to be 21, 1200, 41 and 50 nb, corresponding to branching ratios of σ(n, γγ)/σ(n, γ) = 4.0 × 10^?5, ～ × 10^?2, 2.2 × 10^?4 and 1.0 × 10^?4, respectively.     

Scattering and reactions of 14C + 14C and 14C + 14C

We have studied elastic scattering, inelastic scattering and several transfer channels of the systems ¹⁴C + ¹⁴C and ¹⁴C + ¹²C over a wide range of energies up to E_c.m. = 35 eMeV and 32 MeV, respectively. The reaction channels were identified by means of kinematic coincidences between solid-state detectors, γγ coincidences were measured to determine cross sections for mutual inelastic scattering of ¹⁴C + ¹⁴C.Pronounced regular gross structures, similar to those found for ¹⁶O + ¹⁶O, are observed in the elastic excitation function of ¹⁴C + ¹⁴C at θ_c.m. = 90°, The angular distributions measured at the energies of the maxima and an optical-model analysis suggest that one or a few surface partial waves dominate the scattering behaviour. Correlated structure of narrower width is found in the inelastic channels and, to a lesser degree, in the transfer channels which appear with rather small cross sections.In ¹⁴C + ¹²C elastic scattering the gross structures are strongly fragmented, in contrast to ¹⁴C + ¹⁴C but similar to ¹²C + ¹²C. While the ¹²C(2⁺) excitation is very weak, the observed strengths of the ¹⁴C(3^?) excitation and of neutron transfer point to a substantial role of these channels as coupling partners to the elastic configuration and to their influence on the elastic scattering behaviour. A correlated intermediate structure is observed near 23.5 MeV, where a dominance of l = 18 is suggested by the elastic scattering angular distribution. This unexpectedly high l-value exceeds l_graz at this energy by at least two units of ?.     

Angular momentum transfer in 12C-, 20Ne- and 40Ar-induced fission

Angular momentum transfer in a variety of ¹²C-, ²⁰Ne- and ⁴⁰Ar-induced fission reactions has been investigated using γ-ray multiplicity techniques. Fission fragments were detected in coincidence using a pair of solid-state detectors. The fragment masses were deduced from the kinetic energies and emission angles using two-body kinematics. The γ-ray multiplicities (M_γ) of the fission fragments were measured utilizing an array of eight NaI detectors. For most of the systems studied, M_γ is nearly independent of the exit-channel mass asymmetry. The strongest dependence on mass is observed in the systems ¹⁵⁴sm + 240 MeV ⁴⁰Ar, where a minimum exists at symmetry, and ¹⁹⁷Au + 164 MeV ²⁰Ne, where nuclear structure effects are suggested by the data. For all the reactions the quantity M_γ tends to decrease gradually with increasing fragment kinetic energy. The magnitude of M_γ generally appears to be larger than expected on the basis of rigid rotation, suggesting a spin enhancement effect. The data are compared with a simple model which assumes the statistical excitation of a variety of angular momentum bearing collective modes. Reasonable agreement is obtained with the experimental results. The roles of other collective effects, such as shape fluctuations and angular momentum fractionation, are also considered.     

Formation and deexcitation of the 32S compound nucleus via the 20Ne+12C and 16O+16O entrance channels

Reaction-product cross sections following ²⁰Ne+¹²C and ¹⁶O + ¹⁶O collisions at several incident energies have been measured with a E-ΔE counter telescope. They are compared to statistical model predictions. Fair agreement is obtained for the high-Z evaporation residue cross sections, but a strong discrepancy is observed for the lower-Z reaction products. Possible explanations are discussed. It is shown that the compound nucleus formation does not depend on the structure of the colliding ions in the entrance channel and also that it is not limited by the ³²S yrast line.     

Reorientation effect measurements in 124Te, 126Te and 128Te

Coulomb excitation probabilities of the first 2⁺ states of ¹²⁴Te, ¹²⁶Te and ¹²⁸Te have been determined. The measurement was performed by resolving the inelastically and elastically backward scattered ⁴He and ¹⁶O projectiles using an annular surface barrier detector. Quadrupole moments (Q₂₊) as well as the B(E2, 0⁺ → 2⁺) values were extracted by analyzing the excitation probabilities with the Winther-de Boer multiple Coulomb excitation program. The Q₂ deduced for the positive sign of the 2⁺ interference term are ?0.41 ± 0.08 e · b, ?0.144 ± 0.11 e · b and ?0.12 ± 0.09 e · b for ¹²⁴Te, ¹²⁶Te and ¹²⁸Te, respectively.     

The 1Σ+-X1Σ+ transition of the PN molecule

The recently observed ¹Σ⁺-X¹Σ⁺ transition of the PN molecule (J. Phys. B.13, 2251–2254 (1980)) has been photographed at high dispersion in the 1600–1900-Å region. A rotational analysis is carried out and shows 11 vibrational levels of the new ¹Σ⁺ state. These levels are perturbed and absolute vibrational numbering cannot be determined. Some perturbations can be accounted for by interactions with the A¹Π state. Weakening of lines are explained as accidental predissociations and allow us to discuss the dissociation energies of the X¹Σ⁺ and A¹Π states.     

Measurement of the parity non-conservation in nuclear forces in 75As, 171Tm,and 175Lu and of the polarized bremsstrahlung from 51Cr, 170Tm, 177Lu,and 198Au

The circular polarization P of γ-rays from unpolarized sources of ⁷⁵Se, ¹⁷¹Er, and ¹⁷⁵Yb of strengths ? 500 Ci has been measured with a Compton polarimeter of the radial transmission type. Eight NaI crystals and a four-fold current integration system were used to simultaneously record the data in four independent channels. The results are: P = ?(1.8 ± 6.0) × 10^?5 for the 401 keV transition in ⁷⁵As (the experimental error is ± 1.5 × 10^?5, the remaining part is due to the uncertainty in the decay scheme of ⁷⁵Se), P = (0.8 ± 1.5) × 10^?4 for the 296 keV and 308 keV transition in ¹⁷¹Tm, and P = (5.7 ± 0.8) × 10^?5 for the 396 keV transition in ¹⁷⁵Lu. The last value confirms the parity non-conservation in nuclear forces. The polarimeter was calibrated with bremsstrahlung from ¹⁷⁰Tm. The correction for polarized bremsstrahlung was given special attention. Correction factors are derived for ⁵¹Cr, ¹⁷⁷Lu, and ¹⁹⁸Au from a comparison of the measured and calculated bremsstrahlung yields.     

Energy dependence of the 24Mg(16O, 12C)28Si reaction

Excitation functions for the reaction ²⁴Mg(¹⁶O, ¹²C)²⁸Si(g.s., 2⁺₁) were measured at 5°(lab) in the energy range 32 < E_c.m. < 49 MeV. Although the resonant structure, previously observed at lower energies, becomes progressively weaker, three new correlated maxima have been observed near E_c.m. = 37.5, 40.2 and 43.5 MeV. Angular distribution measurements at these energies yield spin assignments, from P²_j(cos θ) comparisons, of 27, 29 and 31, respectively. Attempts to find a consistent optical-model fit to the elastic scattering in the entrance channel and an exact finite-range DWBA fit to the four-nucleon transfer reaction in this energy range were unsuccessful. Such a failure is to be expected if strong couplings between the elastic channel and inelastic channels of either the initial or final system are important. The features of the resonance phenomena in the transfer reaction are discussed within a band crossing model framework.     

Spectroscopy of intermediate 16F states with the reaction 14N(3He,np)15O

Excited states of ¹⁶F have been investigated with the reaction ¹⁴N(³He, np)¹⁵O at E = 10.5 and 12 MeV in kinematically complete experiments. Proton groups corresponding to the decays of intermediate ¹⁶F states were observed at various angles with counter telescopes in time coincidence with the associated neutrons detected at θ_n^lab = 0° with a time-of-flight spectrometer. Excitation energies and decay widths Γ_p0 of these states have been extracted from the proton spectra. Lower limits for the orbital angular momentum in the decay channel and for the spin of the states have been deduced from the obtained angular correlations. By comparison with the reaction ¹⁴N(³He, pp)¹⁵N measured at E = 13 MeV, pairs of $\text{T = 1}{}^{16}\text{F}$ parent/¹⁶O analog states have been identified. J^π assignments and shell-model configurations are discussed on the basis of the selectivity of the reactions measured.     

Study of 60Zn and 61Zn

The (¹²C, ¹⁰Be) and (¹²C, ⁹Be) reactions on ⁵⁸Ni were studied at 77 MeV. New levels were determined for both residual nuclei, ⁶⁰Zn and ⁶¹Zn. For ⁶¹Zn, levels and a new ground state mass were also measured with the ⁶⁴Zn(³He, ⁶He) reaction. A mass excess for ⁶¹Zn of ?56333±23 keV was obtained. Angular distributions for the ¹²C induced reactions are compared with finite range DWBA calculations and found to be insensitive to L? and J-transfer.     

High-spin yrast and non-yrast bands in 176Os, 178Os and 180Os

High-spin yrast and non-yrast states have been identified in ¹⁷⁶Os, ¹⁷⁸Os and ¹⁸⁰Os using (¹⁶O, xn) reactions, and γ-ray techniques. Band crossing anomalies are observed in each of the positive-parity yrast bands. The magnitude of these anomalies decreases with decreasing neutron number, an effect attributed to the change in the moment of inertia of the ground state rotational bands. A 23 ns isomer, predominantly K^π = 7^?, is identified at 1930 keV in ¹⁸⁰Os. The configuration of this isomer is discussed on the basis of the properties of its rotational band. Negative parity, odd and even spin, sideband sequences are observed in each isotope. Their relationship to rotation-aligned octupole and 2-quasiparticle bands is discussed from their excitation energies, band spacings, and decay properties. Detailed calculations for Coriolis mixed bands are carried out for the likely 2-quasiproton and 2-quasineutron configurations. An anomaly observed at spin 17 in the odd-spin negative-parity sequence in ¹⁸⁰Os is attributed to a band crossing with a fourquasiparticle configuration.     

Elastic π± scattering on 4He, 16C, 16O and 40Ca

A calculation of π⁺ and π^? elastic scattering in the resonance region by four spin-zero nuclei is presented. A non-static first order optical potential which includes binding corrections and short range correlations is used. The comparison with the experimental data shows rather good agreement at and above the resonance but elastic scattering at lower energies is largely overestimated. The calculated angular distributions are more sensitive to the variations of the rms radius than to variations of the surface thickness of the nucleus.     

Four-nucleon transfer with the 32S(16O, 12C)36Ar reaction

Angular distributions have been measured for the ³²S(¹⁶O,¹²C)³⁶Ar reaction at 45.5 MeV leading to excited states between E_x, = 0 and 8 MeV. Experimental cross sections are compared with exact finite-range DWBA calculations in combination with extensive shell-model calculations, which include sd- and fp-shell configurations. Transitions to low-energy positive-parity states and bound negative-parity states are well reproduced. The calculations, however, fail to describe some high-energy positive-parity states. Calculations with a complete cluster expansion for the four transferred nucleons give about 50% larger cross sections, but can not explain the observed discrepancies. Possible interference of reaction processes other than direct α-transfer and special structure effects are discussed.     

The 12C(9Be,n)20Ne reaction

A study of the ¹²C(⁹Be, n)²⁰Ne reaction has been carried out at bombarding energies of 16 and 24 MeV. The spectra at both incident energies are dominated by a consistent set of levels between an excitation energy of 7.3 ± 0.4 and 15.7 ± 0.3 MeV. The rotational band based on the K^π = 0₃⁺ state appears to be strongly populated. Based on this selectivity, additional evidence is provided in favor of identification of the 8⁺ state at 15.9 MeV with this 0₃⁺ band. Angular distributions measured at the higher bombarding energy are compared with statistical compound-nuclear calculations. It appears that a non-statistical mechanism is responsible for the reaction's selective population of states with 8p-4h configuration. Such a mechanism, involving the preferential breakup of the ⁹Be into ⁸Be plus a neutron, is discussed.