Lerendegui-Marco, J., Balibrea-Correa, J., Babiano-Suarez, V., Ladarescu, I., & Domingo-Pardo, C. (2022). Towards machine learning aided real-time range imaging in proton therapy. Sci Rep, 12(1), 2735–17pp.
Abstract: Compton imaging represents a promising technique for range verification in proton therapy treatments. In this work, we report on the advantageous aspects of the i-TED detector for proton-range monitoring, based on the results of the first Monte Carlo study of its applicability to this field. i-TED is an array of Compton cameras, that have been specifically designed for neutron-capture nuclear physics experiments, which are characterized by gamma-ray energies spanning up to 5-6 MeV, rather low gamma-ray emission yields and very intense neutron induced gamma-ray backgrounds. Our developments to cope with these three aspects are concomitant with those required in the field of hadron therapy, especially in terms of high efficiency for real-time monitoring, low sensitivity to neutron backgrounds and reliable performance at the high gamma-ray energies. We find that signal-to-background ratios can be appreciably improved with i-TED thanks to its light-weight design and the low neutron-capture cross sections of its LaCl3 crystals, when compared to other similar systems based on LYSO, CdZnTe or LaBr3. Its high time-resolution (CRT similar to 500 ps) represents an additional advantage for background suppression when operated in pulsed HT mode. Each i-TED Compton module features two detection planes of very large LaCl3 monolithic crystals, thereby achieving a high efficiency in coincidence of 0.2% for a point-like 1 MeV gamma-ray source at 5 cm distance. This leads to sufficient statistics for reliable image reconstruction with an array of four i-TED detectors assuming clinical intensities of 10(8) protons per treatment point. The use of a two-plane design instead of three-planes has been preferred owing to the higher attainable efficiency for double time-coincidences than for threefold events. The loss of full-energy events for high energy gamma-rays is compensated by means of machine-learning based algorithms, which allow one to enhance the signal-to-total ratio up to a factor of 2.
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Massimi, C., Cristallo, S., Domingo-Pardo, C., & Lederer-Woods, C. (2022). n_TOF: Measurements of Key Reactions of Interest to AGB Stars. Universe, 8(2), 100–19pp.
Abstract: In the last 20 years, the neutron time-of-flight facility nTOF at CERN has been providing relevant data for the astrophysical slow neutron capture process (s process). At nTOF, neutron-induced radiative capture (n,gamma) as well as (n,p) and (n,alpha) reaction cross sections are measured as a function of energy, using the time-of-flight method. Improved detection systems, innovative ideas and collaborations with other neutron facilities have lead to a considerable contribution of the n_TOF collaboration to studying the s process in asymptotic giant branch stars. Results have been reported for stable and radioactive samples, i.e.,Mg- 24,Mg-25,Mg-26, Al-26, S-33,Fe- 54,Fe-57, Ni-58,Ni-59,Ni-62,Ni-63, Ge-70,Ge-72,Ge-73, Zr-90,Zr-91,Zr-92,Zr-93,Zr-94,Zr-96, La-139, Ce-140, Pm-147, Sm-151,Gd- 154,Gd-155,Gd-157, Tm-171, Os-186,Os-187,Os-188, Au-197, Tl-203,Tl-204,Pb- 204,Pb-206,Pb-207 and Bi-209 isotopes, while others are being studied or planned to be studied in the near future. In this contribution, we present an overview of the most successful achievements, and an outlook of future challenging measurements, including ongoing detection system developments.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Tagliente, G. et al), Domingo-Pardo, C., Giubrone, G., Tain, J. L., & Tarifeño-Saldivia, A. (2022). Zr-92(n, gamma) and (n,tot) measurements at the GELINA and n_TOF facilities. Phys. Rev. C, 105(2), 025805–14pp.
Abstract: Background: Stellar nucleosynthesis of elements heavier than iron is driven by neutron capture processes. Zr-92 is positioned at a strategic point along the slow nucleosynthesis path, given its proximity to the neutron magic number N = 50 and its position at the matching region between the weak and main slow processes. Purpose: In parallel with recent improved astronomical data, the extraction of accurate Maxwellian averaged cross sections (MACSs) derived from a more complete and accurate set of resonance parameters should allow for a better understanding of the stellar conditions at which nucleosynthesis takes place. Methods: Transmission and capture cross section measurements using enriched Zr-92 metallic samples were performed at the time-of flight facilities GELINA of JRC-Geel (BE) and nTOF of CERN (CH). The neutron beam passing through the samples was investigated in transmission measurements at GELINA using a Li-glass scintillator. The gamma rays emitted during the neutron capture reactions were detected by C6D6 detectors at both GELINA and nTOF. Results: Resonance parameters of individual resonances up to 81 keV were extracted from a combined resonance shape analysis of experimental transmissions and capture yields. For the majority of the resonances the parity was determined from an analysis of the transmission data obtained with different sample thicknesses. Average resonance parameters were calculated. Conclusions: Maxwellian averaged cross sections were extracted from resonances observed up to 81 keV. The MACS for kT = 30 keV is fully consistent with experimental data reported in the literature. The MACSs for kT less than or similar to 15 keV are in good agreement with those derived from the ENDF/B-VIII.0 library and recommended in the KADoNTS database. For kT higher than 30 keV differences are observed. A comparison with MACSs obtained with the cross sections recommended in the JEFF-3.3 and JENDL-4.0 libraries shows discrepancies even for kT less than or similar to 15 keV.
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Chiera, N. M., Maugeri, E. A., Danilov, I., Balibrea-Correa, J., Domingo-Pardo, C., Koster, U., et al. (2022). Preparation of PbSe targets for Se-79 neutron capture cross section studies. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 1029, 166443–7pp.
Abstract: A methodology for the production of PbSe targets for Se-79 neutron capture cross section studies is presented. PbSe material was synthesized by direct reaction of its constituents at high temperature, and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Thin PbSe targets, produced for cross section experiments with the surrogate reaction method, were obtained by applying a physical vapor deposition technique, and their morphology and composition were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. (PbSe)-Se-79 targets produced for cross section measurements with the Time of Flight method were characterized by gamma-ray spectroscopy. Finally, a procedure for the recovery of Se from PbSe is suggested. The purity of the retrieved Se was determined with Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy.
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Girard-Alcindor, V. et al, & Domingo-Pardo, C. (2022). New narrow resonances observed in the unbound nucleus F-15. Phys. Rev. C, 105(5), L051301–7pp.
Abstract: The structure of the unbound F-15 nucleus is investigated using the inverse kinematics resonant scattering of a radioactive O-14 beam impinging on a CH2 target. The analysis of H-1(O-14, p) O-14 and H-1(O-14, 2p) N-13 reactions allowed the confirmation of the previously observed narrow 1/2(-) resonance, near the two-proton decay threshold, and the identification of two new narrow 5/2(-) and 3/2(-) resonances. The newly observed levels decay by 1p emission to the ground of O-14, and by sequential 2p emission to the ground state of N-13 via the 1(-) resonance of O-14. Gamow shell model (GSM) analysis of the experimental data suggests that the wave functions of the 5/2(-) and 3/2(-) resonances may be collectivized by the continuum coupling to nearby 2p- and 1p-decay channels. The observed excitation function H-1(O-14, p) O-14 and resonance spectrum in F-15 are well reproduced in the unified framework of the GSM.
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