Intense thermal neutron source based on MCF

The conceptual scheme of an ecologically clean thermal neutron source (TNS) based on muon-catalyzed fusion (MCF) is proposed. The preliminary design shows that an MCF-based TNS can produce the maximum value of unperturbed thermal neutron flux 10¹⁵ n/cm² s using for muon production a beam power of about 14 MW supplied by an accelerator of the next generation.     

Beta decay of 103Sn

The β decay of ¹⁰³Sn, a three-neutron-particle nucleus with respect to the ¹⁰⁰Sn core, was investigated at the GSI on-line mass separator using an array of 17 germanium crystals and a total absorption spectrometer. A total of 31 β-delayed γ-rays (29 new) of the ¹⁰³Sn →¹⁰³ In decay were observed and, on the basis of β-γ-γ coincidences, the ¹⁰³Sn decay scheme was established for the first time. By means of total absorption spectroscopy, β intensities, the Gamow-Teller strength distribution and the summed Gamow-Teller strength value of 3.5±0.5 were determined for this decay. Its half-life and Q_EC value were found to be 7.0±0.2 s and 7.64±0.7 MeV, respectively. The β-delayed proton branching ratio was measured to be 1.2±0.1%. The results are discussed in comparison with shell-model predictions based on realistic and empirical interactions.     

Muon radiography technology for detecting high-Z materials

This paper studies the possibility of using the scattering of cosmic muons to identify threatening high-Z materials. Various scenarios of threat material detection are simulated with the Geant4 toolkit. PoCA （Point of Closest Approach） algorithm reconstructing muon track gives 3D radiography images of the target material. Z-discrimination capability, effects of the placement of high-Z materials, shielding materials inside the cargo, and spatial resolution of position sensitive detector for muon radiography are carefully studied. Our results show that a detector position resolution of 50 μm is good enough for shielded materials detection.     

Investigation of the Parameters of Muon-Catalyzed Fusion in Double D/T Mixture at High Temperature and Density

Experiments on the study of the muon catalyzed fusion (μCF) process in a double D/T mixture of hydrogen isotopes in the temperature range 300–800 K at densities 0.3–0.5 LHD are performed at the JINR phasotron. The values of the effective μCF parameters (cycling rate λ _c , neutron yield Y _n , muon losses w) are obtained. Tentative dtμ-molecule formation rates on D₂ and DT molecules (λ _dtμ−d and λ _dtμ−t ) are obtained for different mixture temperatures and densities. The results obtained show that λ _dtμ−t increases with temperature, but its value is smaller than theoretical predictions. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Precise Measurement of Muon Capture on the Proton

The aim of the μCap experiment is a 1% measurement of the singlet capture rate Λ _S for the basic electro-weak reaction μ + p → n + ν_μ. This observable is sensitive to the weak form-factors of the nucleon, in particular to the induced pseudoscalar coupling constant g _P . It will provide a rigorous test of theoretical predictions based on the Standard Model and effective theories of QCD. The present method is based on high precision lifetime measurements of μ⁻ in hydrogen gas and the comparison with the free μ⁺ lifetime. The μ⁻ experiment will be performed in ultra-clean, deuterium-depleted H₂ gas at 10 bar. Low density compared to liquid H₂ is chosen to avoid uncertainties due to ppμ formation. A time projection chamber acts as a pure hydrogen active target. It defines the muon stop position in 3D and detects rare background reactions. Decay electrons are tracked in cylindrical wire-chambers and a scintillator array covering 75% of 4π. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Proposal for muon and white neutron sources at CSNS

The China Spallation Neutron Source （CSNS） is a large scientific facility with the main purpose of serving multidisciplinary research on material characterization using neutron scattering techniques. The accelerator system is to provide a proton beam of 120 kW with a repetition rate of 25 Hz initially （CSNSⅠ）, progressively upgradeable to 240 kW （CSNS-Ⅱ） and 500 kW （CSNS-Ⅱ＇）. In addition to serving as a driving source for the spallation target, the proton beam can be exploited for serving additional functions both in fundamental and applied research. The expanded scientific application based on pulsed muons and fast neutrons is especially attractive in the overall consideration of CSNS upgrade options. A second target station that houses a muon-generating target and a fast-neutron-generating target in tandem, intercepting and removing a small part of the proton beam for the spallation target, is proposed. The muon and white neutron sources are operated principally in parasitic mode, leaving the main part of the beam directed to the spallation target. However, it is also possible to deliver the proton beam to the second target station in a dedicated mode for some special applications. Within the dual target configuration, the thin muon target placed upstream of the fast-neutron target will consume only about 5% of the beam traversed; the majority of the beam is used for fast-neutron production. A proton beam with a beam power of about 60 kW, an energy of 1.6 GeV and a repetition rate of 12.5 Hz will make the muon source and the white neutron source very attractive to multidisciplinary researchers.     

K-forbidden allowed $ \beta$ transitions in heavy nuclei

The role of the band quantum number K in influencing the character of allowed transitions in heavy deformed nuclei is examined. The conditions for the occurrence of K -forbidden decays in this region are explored. Specific cases of “allowed” decays proceeding via K = 2 to K = 6 channels are presented to illustrate the phenomenon. The listed K = 2 transitions, which by themselves contribute over 10% of all the presently known allowed transitions for A 228 nuclei, are seen to have an average , which is clearly outside the normal range for allowed transitions. It is concluded that, wherever the -connected states can be confidently labelled using the quantum numbers, the K -forbiddenness is in general as significant as that involving the other two (spin and parity) quantum numbers.     

Muon radiography and deformation analysis of the lava dome formed by the 1944 eruption of Usu, Hokkaido--contact between high-energy physics and volcano physics--

Lava domes are one of the conspicuous topographic features on volcanoes. The subsurface structure of the lava dome is important to discuss its formation mechanism. In the 1944 eruption of Volcano Usu, Hokkaido, a new lava dome was formed at its eastern foot. After the completion of the lava dome, various geophysical methods were applied to the dome to study its subsurface structure, but resulted in a rather ambiguous conclusion. Recently, from the results of the levelings, which were repeated during the eruption, "pseudo growth curves" of the lava dome were obtained. The curves suggest that the lava dome has a bulbous shape. In the present work, muon radiography, which previously proved effective in imaging the internal structure of Volcano Asama, has been applied to the Usu lava dome. The muon radiography measures the distribution of the "density length" of volcanic bodies when detectors are arranged properly. The result obtained is consistent with the model deduced from the pseudo growth curves. The measurement appears to afford useful method to clarify the subsurface structure of volcanoes and its temporal changes, and in its turn to discuss volcanic processes. This is a point of contact between high-energy physics and volcano physics.     

EC and α decays of 235Am

EC and decays of ²³⁵Am have been studied using a gas-jet coupled on-line isotope separator. Excited states in ²³⁵Pu have been established for the first time by means of -ray spectroscopy following the EC decay of ²³⁵Am. The deduced log ft value suggests that the ground state of ²³⁵Am should have the 5/2^-[523] configuration. The - coincidence result has revealed that the 5/2^-[523] state in ²³¹Np populated by the favored transition of ²³⁵Am is located at < 15 keV, which allows us to precisely determine the Q value of ²³⁵Am.     

New g－2 experiment at J-PARC

A new measurement of the anomalous magnetic moment of the positive muon αμ is proposed with a novel technique utilizing an ultra-cold muon beam accelerated to 300 MeV/c and a 66 cm-diameter muon storage ring without focusing-electric field. This measurement will be complimentary to the previous measurement that achieved 0.54 ppm accuracy with the magic energy of 3.1 GeV in a 14 m diameter storage ring. The proposed experiment aims to achieve the sensitivity down to 0.1 ppm.