Tortajada, S., Albiol, F., Caballero, L., Albiol, A., & Leganes-Nieto, J. L. (2023). A portable geometry-independent tomographic system for gamma-ray, a next generation of nuclear waste characterization. Sci Rep, 13(1), 12284–10pp.
Abstract: One of the main activities of the nuclear industry is the characterisation of radioactive waste based on the detection of gamma radiation. Large volumes of radioactive waste are classified according to their average activity, but often the radioactivity exceeds the maximum allowed by regulators in specific parts of the bulk. In addition, the detection of the radiation is currently based on static detection systems where the geometry of the bulk is fixed and well known. Furthermore, these systems are not portable and depend on the transport of waste to the places where the detection systems are located. However, there are situations where the geometry varies and where moving waste is complex. This is especially true in compromised situations.We present a new model for nuclear waste management based on a portable and geometry-independent tomographic system for three-dimensional image reconstruction for gamma radiation detection. The system relies on a combination of a gamma radiation camera and a visible camera that allows to visualise radioactivity using augmented reality and artificial computer vision techniques. This novel tomographic system has the potential to be a disruptive innovation in the nuclear industry for nuclear waste management.
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Torres-Sanchez, P., Steiger, H. T. J., Mastinu, P., Wyss, J. L., Kayser, L., Silvestrin, L., et al. (2024). Fast neutron production at the LNL Tandem from the 7Li(14N,xn)X reaction. Eur. Phys. J. C, 84(4), 372–11pp.
Abstract: Fast neutron beams (E-n>1 MeV) are of relevance for many scientific and industrial applications. This paper explores fast neutron production using a TANDEM accelerator at the Legnaro National Laboratories, via an energetic ion beam (90 MeV N-14) onto a lithium target. The high energy models for nuclear collision of FLUKA foresee large neutron yields for reactions of this kind. The experiment aimed at validating the expected neutron yields from FLUKA simulations, using two separate and independent set-ups: one based on the multi-foil activation technique, and the other on the time of flight technique, by using liquid scintillator detectors. The results of the experiment show clear agreement of the measured spectra with the FLUKA simulations, both in the shape and the magnitude of the neutron flux at the mea-sured positions. The neutron spectrum is centered around the 8 MeV range with mild tails, and a maximum neutron energy spanning up to 50 MeV. These advantageous results provide a starting point in the development of fast neutron beams based on high energy ion beams from medium-sized accelerator facilities
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Torres-Sanchez, P., Lerendegui-Marco, J., Balibrea-Correa, J., Babiano-Suarez, V., Gameiro, B., Ladarescu, I., et al. (2025). The potential of the i-TED Compton camera array for real-time boron imaging and determination during treatments in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy. Appl. Radiat. Isot., 217, 111649–9pp.
Abstract: This paper explores the adaptation and application of i-TED Compton imagers for real-time dosimetry in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). The i-TED array, previously utilized in nuclear astrophysics experiments at CERN, is being optimized for detecting and imaging 478 keV gamma-rays, critical for accurate BNCT dosimetry. Detailed Monte Carlo simulations were used to optimize the i-TED detector configuration and enhance its performance in the challenging radiation environment typical of BNCT. Additionally, advanced 3D image reconstruction algorithms, including a combination of back-projection and List-Mode Maximum Likelihood Expectation Maximization (LM-MLEM), are implemented and validated through simulations. Preliminary experimental tests at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) demonstrate the potential of i-TED in simplified conditions, with ongoing experiments focusing on testing imaging capabilities in realistic BNCT conditions.
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Torres Bobadilla, W. J. et al, Driencourt-Mangin, F., & Rodrigo, G. (2021). May the four be with you: novel IR-subtraction methods to tackle NNLO calculations. Eur. Phys. J. C, 81(3), 250–61pp.
Abstract: In this manuscript, we report the outcome of the topical workshop: paving the way to alternative NNLO strategies (https://indico.ific.uv.es/e/WorkStop-ThinkStart_3.0), by presenting a discussion about different frameworks to perform precise higher-order computations for high-energy physics. These approaches implement novel strategies to deal with infrared and ultraviolet singularities in quantum field theories. A special emphasis is devoted to the local cancellation of these singularities, which can enhance the efficiency of computations and lead to discover novel mathematical properties in quantum field theories.
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Tonev, D. et al, & Gadea, A. (2021). Transition probabilities in P-31 and S-31: A test for isospin symmetry. Phys. Lett. B, 821, 136603–6pp.
Abstract: Excited states in the mirror nuclei P-31 and S-31 were populated in the 1p and 1n exit channels of the reaction Ne-20 + C-12, at a beam energy of 33 MeV. The Ne-20 beam was delivered for the first time by the Piave-Alpi accelerator of the Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro. Angular correlations of coincident gamma-rays and Doppler-shift attenuation lifetime measurements were performed using the multi-detector array GASP in conjunction with the EUCLIDES charged particle detector. In the observed B(E1) strengths, the isoscalar component, amounting to 24% of the isovector one, provides strong evidence for breaking of the isospin symmetry in the A = 31 mass region. Self-consistent beyond mean field calculations using Equation of Motion method based on a chiral potential and including two- and three-body forces reproduce well the experimental B(E1) strengths, reinforcing our conclusion. Coherent mixing from higher-lying states involving the Giant Isovector Monopole Resonance accounts well for the effect observed. The breaking of the isospin symmetry originates from the violation of the charge symmetry of the two- and three-body parts of the potential, only related to the Coulomb interaction.
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Tolosa-Delgado, A. et al, Tain, J. L., Agramunt, J., Algora, A., Domingo-Pardo, C., Morales, A. I., et al. (2025). Impact of Newly Measured β-Delayed Neutron Emitters around 78Ni on Light Element Nucleosynthesis in the Neutrino Wind Following a Neutron Star Merger. Phys. Rev. Lett., 134(17), 172701–11pp.
Abstract: Neutron emission probabilities and half-lives of 37 /3-delayed neutron emitters from 75Ni to 92Br were measured at the RIKEN Nishina Center in Japan, including 11 one-neutron and 13 two-neutron emission probabilities and six half-lives for the first time that supersede theoretical estimates. These nuclei lie in the path of the weak r process occurring in neutrino-driven winds from the accretion disk formed after the merger of two neutron stars synthesizing elements in the A 80 abundance peak. The presence of such elements dominates the accompanying kilonova emission over the first few days and have been identified in the AT2017gfo event, associated to the gravitational wave detection GW170817. Abundance calculations based on over 17 000 simulated trajectories describing the evolution of matter properties in the merger outflows show that the new data lead to an increase of 50%-70% in the abundance of Y, Zr, Nb, and Mo. This enhancement is large compared to the scatter of relative abundances observed in old very metal poor stars and thus is significant in the comparison with other possible astrophysical processes contributing to the light-element production. These results underline the importance of including experimental decay data for very neutron-rich /3-delayed neutron emitters into r-process models.
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Toledo, G., Ikeno, N., & Oset, E. (2021). Theoretical study of the D-0 -> K-pi(+)eta reaction. Eur. Phys. J. C, 81(3), 268–11pp.
Abstract: We develop a model to study the D-0 -> K-pi(+)eta weak decay, starting with the color favored external emission and Cabibbo favored mode at the quark level. A less favored internal emission decay mode is also studied as a source of small corrections. Some pairs of quarks are allowed to hadronize producing two pseudoscalar mesons, which posteriorly are allowed to interact to finally provide the K-pi(+)eta state. The chiral unitary approach is used to take into account the final state interaction of pairs of mesons, which has as a consequence the production of the kappa (K-0*(700)) and the a(0)(980) resonances, well visible in the invariant mass distributions. We also introduce the (K) over bar*(0)eta production in a phenomenological way and show that the s-wave pseudoscalar interaction together with this vector excitation mode are sufficient to provide a fair reproduction of the experimental data. The model provides the relative weight of the a(0)(980) to the kappa excitation, and their strength is clearly visible in the low energy part of the K pi spectrum.
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Timar, J. et al, & Algora, A. (2019). Experimental Evidence for Transverse Wobbling in Pd-105. Phys. Rev. Lett., 122(6), 062501–6pp.
Abstract: New rotational bands built on the nu(h(11/2)) configuration have been identified in Pd-105. Two bands built on this configuration show the characteristics of transverse wobbling: the Delta I = 1 transitions between them have a predominant E2 component and the wobbling energy decreases with increasing spin. The properties of the observed wobbling bands are in good agreement with theoretical results obtained using constrained triaxial covariant density functional theory and quantum particle rotor model calculations. This provides the first experimental evidence for transverse wobbling bands based on a one-neutron configuration, and also represents the first observation of wobbling motion in the A similar to 100 mass region.
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Thisse, D. et al, Algora, A., & Guadilla, V. (2023). Study of N=50 gap evolution around Z=32: new structure information for Ge-82. Eur. Phys. J. A, 59(7), 153–13pp.
Abstract: Medium spin states of light N = 50 isotones have been populated using fast neutron-induced fission of Th-232. Online prompt gamma spectroscopy has been performed using the hybrid gamma spectrometer nu-Ball coupled to the LICORNE directional neutron source at the ALTO facility of IJCLab. Medium spin states of the neutron-rich nucleus Ge-82 have been investigated using gamma-gamma and gamma-gamma-gamma coincidence data to exploit the resolving power of nu-Ball. Two new transitions were assigned to this nucleus and a new level was placed in the level scheme. We tentatively assigned to this new state a (7(+)) spin-parity, which is interpreted as a new N = 50 core breaking state. This provides further insight into the energy evolution of the N = 50 shell gap toward Ni-78.
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Testov, D. et al, & Gadea, A. (2019). The 4pi highly-efficient light-charged-particle detector EUCLIDES, installed at the GALILEO array for in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy. Eur. Phys. J. A, 55(4), 47–8pp.
Abstract: .In a fusion-evaporation reaction, nuclei are produced by evaporating light-charged particles and neutrons from the compound nucleus. Typically, a nucleus of interest is produced as a result of a part of the total cross-section and, in order to guarantee a good channel discrimination, a particle detector, like the EUCLIDES 4 Si-ball array, is necessary. EUCLIDES has been quoted in more than a hundred publications resulting from many experiments performed in combination with the EUROBALL and GASP -ray spectrometers. The present paper reports on the upgraded version of EUCLIDES, that is presently coupled to the new GALILEO -ray spectrometer, installed at the Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, INFN. The design, characteristics and performance of the EUCLIDES array are presented and discussed.
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