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Olleros, P., Caballero, L., Domingo-Pardo, C., Babiano, V., Ladarescu, I., Calvo, D., et al. (2018). On the performance of large monolithic LaCl3(Ce) crystals coupled to pixelated silicon photosensors. J. Instrum., 13, P03014–17pp.
Abstract: We investigate the performance of large area radiation detectors, with high energy-and spatial-resolution, intended for the development of a Total Energy Detector with gamma-ray imaging capability, so-called i-TED. This new development aims for an enhancement in detection sensitivity in time-of-flight neutron capture measurements, versus the commonly used C6D6 liquid scintillation total-energy detectors. In this work, we study in detail the impact of the readout photosensor on the energy response of large area (50 x 50 mm(2)) monolithic LaCl3(Ce) crystals, in particular when replacing a conventional mono-cathode photomultiplier tube by an 8 x 8 pixelated silicon photomultiplier. Using the largest commercially available monolithic SiPM array (25 cm(2)), with a pixel size of 6 x 6 mm(2), we have measured an average energy resolution of 3.92% FWHM at 662 keV for crystal thick-nesses of 10, 20 and 30 mm. The results are confronted with detailed Monte Carlo (MC) calculations, where optical processes and properties have been included for the reliable tracking of the scintillation photons. After the experimental validation of the MC model, we use our MC code to explore the impact of a smaller photosensor segmentation on the energy resolution. Our optical MC simulations predict only a marginal deterioration of the spectroscopic performance for pixels of 3 x 3 mm(2).
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Algora, A. et al, Jordan, D., Tain, J. L., Rubio, B., Agramunt, J., Perez-Cerdan, A. B., et al. (2010). Reactor Decay Heat in Pu-239: Solving the gamma Discrepancy in the 4-3000-s Cooling Period. Phys. Rev. Lett., 105(20), 202501–4pp.
Abstract: The beta feeding probability of Tc-102,Tc- 104,Tc- 105,Tc- 106,Tc- 107, Mo-105, and Nb-101 nuclei, which are important contributors to the decay heat in nuclear reactors, has been measured using the total absorption technique. We have coupled for the first time a total absorption spectrometer to a Penning trap in order to obtain sources of very high isobaric purity. Our results solve a significant part of a long-standing discrepancy in the gamma component of the decay heat for Pu-239 in the 4-3000 s range.
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Catford, W. N. et al, Caballero, L., & Rubio, B. (2010). Migration of Nuclear Shell Gaps Studied in the d(Ne-24, p gamma)Ne-25 Reaction. Phys. Rev. Lett., 104(19), 192501–4pp.
Abstract: The transfer of neutrons onto Ne-24 has been measured using a reaccelerated radioactive beam of Ne-24 to study the (d, p) reaction in inverse kinematics. The unusual raising of the first 3/2(+) level in Ne-25 and its significance in terms of the migration of the neutron magic number from N = 20 to N = 16 is put on a firm footing by confirmation of this state's identity. The raised 3/2(+) level is observed simultaneously with the intruder negative parity 7/2(-) and 3/2(-) levels, providing evidence for the reduction in the N = 20 gap. The coincident gamma-ray decays allowed the assignment of spins as well as the transferred orbital angular momentum. The excitation energy of the 3/2(+) state shows that the established USD shell model breaks down well within the sd model space and requires a revised treatment of the proton-neutron monopole interaction.
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Caballero, L., Rubio, B., Kleinheinz, P., Yates, S. W., Algora, A., Dewald, A., et al. (2010). Two-phonon octupole excitation in Gd-146. Phys. Rev. C, 81(3), 031301–4pp.
Abstract: Based on experimental evidence from the Sm-144(alpha,2n) reaction, the 3484.7- keV 6(+) state in Gd-146 is identified as the highest-spin member of the 3(-) circle times 3(-) two-phonon octupole quartet. A previously unknown gamma line of 1905.8 keV and E3 character feeding the 3(-) octupole state has been observed. These results represent the first observation of a 6(+) -> 3(-) -> 0(+) cascade of two E3 transitions in an even-even nucleus and provide strong support for the interpretation of the 6(+) state as a two-phonon octupole excitation.
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Perez-Cerdan, A. B., Rubio, B., Gelletly, W., Algora, A., Agramunt, J., Burkard, K., et al. (2011). beta decay of (78)Sr. Phys. Rev. C, 84(5), 054311–15pp.
Abstract: The gamma rays and conversion electrons emitted in the beta decay of (78)Sr to levels in (78)Rb have been studied using Ge detectors and a mini-orange spectrometer. A reliable level scheme based on the results of these experiments has been established. The properties of the levels in (78)Rb have been compared with calculations based on deformed Hartree-Fock with Skyrme interactions and pairing correlations in the BCS approximation. This has allowed an interpretation of the nature of the observed sets of levels in the odd-odd nucleus (78)Rb.
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