Fomichev, A. S., Mukha, I., Stepantsov, S. V., Grigorenko, L. V., Litvinova, E. V., Chudoba, V., et al. (2011). Lifetime of (26)S and a limit for its 2p decay energy. Int. J. Mod. Phys. E, 20(6), 1491–1508.
Abstract: The unknown isotope (26)S, expected to decay by two-proton (2p) emission, was studied theoretically and searched experimentally. The structure of this nucleus was examined within the relativistic mean field (RMF) approach. A method for taking into account the many-body structure in the three-body decay calculations was developed. The results of the RMF calculations were used as an input for the three-cluster decay model optimized for the study of a possible 2p decay branch of this nucleus. The experimental search for (26)S was performed by fragmentation of a 50.3 A MeV (32)S beam. No events of a particles table (26)S or (25)P (a presumably proton-unstable subsystem of (26)S) were observed. Based on the obtained production systematics, an upper half-life limit of T(1/2) < 79 ns was established from the time-of-flight through the fragment separator. Together with the theoretical lifetime estimates for two-proton decay, this gives a decay energy limit of Q(2p) > 640 keV for (26)S. Analogous limits for (25)P are found as T(1/2) < 38 ns and Q(p) > 110 keV. In the case that the one-proton emission is the main branch of the (26)S decay, a limit Q(2p) > 230 keV would follow for this nucleus. According to these limits, it is likely that (26)S resides in the picosecond life time range
|
HAWC Collaboration(Abeysekara, A. U. et al), & Salesa Greus, F. (2023). The High-Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory in Mexico: The primary detector. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 1052, 168253–18pp.
Abstract: The High-Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory is a second-generation continuously operated, wide field-of-view, TeV gamma-ray observatory. The HAWC observatory and its analysis techniques build on experience of the Milagro experiment in using ground-based water Cherenkov detectors for gamma-ray astronomy. HAWC is located on the Sierra Negra volcano in Mexico at an elevation of 4100 meters above sea level. The completed HAWC observatory principal detector (HAWC) consists of 300 closely spaced water Cherenkov detectors, each equipped with four photomultiplier tubes to provide timing and charge information to reconstruct the extensive air shower energy and arrival direction. The HAWC observatory has been optimized to observe transient and steady emission from sources of gamma rays within an energy range from several hundred GeV to several hundred TeV. However, most of the air showers detected are initiated by cosmic rays, allowing studies of cosmic rays also to be performed. This paper describes the characteristics of the HAWC main array and its hardware.
|
n_TOF Collaboration(Cano-Ott, D. et al), Domingo-Pardo, C., & Tain, J. L. (2011). Neutron Capture Measuremetns on Minor Actinides at the n_TOF Facility at CERN: Past, Present and Future. J. Korean Phys. Soc., 59(2), 1809–1812.
Abstract: The successful development of advanced nuclear systems for sustainable energy production and nuclear waste management depends on high quality nuclear data libraries. Recent sensitivity studies and reports [1-3] have identified the need for substantially improving the accuracy of neutron cross-section data for minor actinides. The n_TOF collaboration has initiated an ambitious experimental program for the measurement of neutron capture cross sections of minor actinides. Two experimental setups have been constructed for this purpose: a Total Absorption Calorimeter (TAC) [4] for measuring neutron capture cross-sections of low-mass and/or radioactive samples and a set of two low neutron sensitivity C(6)D(6) detectors for the less radioactive materials.
|
n_TOF Collaboration(Guerrero, C. et al), Giubrone, G., & Tain, J. L. (2011). Characterization of the New n_TOF Neutron Beam: Fluence, Profile and Resolution. J. Korean Phys. Soc., 59(2), 1624–1627.
Abstract: After a halt of four years, the nTOF spallation neutron facility at CERN has resumed operation in November 2008 with a new spallation target characterized by an improved safety and engineering design, resulting in a more robust overall performance and efficient cooling. The first measurement during the 2009 run has aimed at the full characterization of the neutron beam. Several detectors, such as calibrated fission chambers, the nTOF Silicon Monitor, a MicroMegas detector with (10)B and (235)U samples, as well as liquid and solid scintillators have been used in order to characterize the properties of the neutron fluence. The spatial profile of the beam has been studied with a specially designed “X-Y” MicroMegas which provided a 2D image of the beam as a function of neutron energy. Both properties have been compared with simulations performed. with the FLUKA code. The characterization of the resolution function is based on results from simulations which have been verified by the study of narrow capture resonances. of (56)Fe, which were measured as part of a new campaign of (n,gamma) measurements on Fe and Ni isotopes.
|
Guerrero, C., Tessler, M., Paul, M., Lerendegui-Marco, J., Heinitz, S., Maugeri, E. A., et al. (2019). The s-process in the Nd-Pm-Sm region: Neutron activation of Pm-147. Phys. Lett. B, 797, 134809–6pp.
Abstract: The Nd-Pm-Sm branching is of interest for the study of the s-process, related to the production of heavy elements in stars. As Sm-148 and Sm-150 are s-only isotopes, the understanding of the branching allows constraining the s-process neutron density. In this context the key physics input needed is the cross section of the three unstable nuclides in the region: Nd-147 (10.98 d half-life), Pm-147 (2.62 yr) and Pm-148 (5.37 d). This paper reports on the activation measurement of Pm-147, the longest-lived of the three nuclides. The cross section measurement has been carried out by activation at the SARAF LiLiT facility using a 56(2) μg target. Compared to the single previous measurement of Pm-147, the measurement presented herein benefits from a target 2000 times more massive. The resulting Maxwellian Averaged Cross Section (MACS) to the ground and metastable states in Pm-148 are 469(50) mb and 357(27) mb. These values are 41% higher (to the ground state) and 15% lower (to the metastable state) than the values reported so far, leading however to a total cross section of 826(107) mb consistent within uncertainties with the previous result and hence leaving unchanged the previous calculation of the s-process neutron density.
|