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Morfouace, P. et al, Benlliure, J., Cortina-Gil, D., & Nacher, E. (2025). An asymmetric fission island driven by shell effects in light fragments. Nature, 641, 339–344.
Abstract: Nuclear fission leads to the splitting of a nucleus into two fragments(1,2). Studying the distribution of the masses and charges of the fragments is essential for establishing the fission mechanisms and refining the theoretical models(3,4). It has value for our understanding of r-process nucleosynthesis(5,6), in which the fission of nuclei with extreme neutron-to-proton ratios is pivotal for determining astrophysical abundances and understanding the origin of the elements(7) and for energy applications(8,9). Although the asymmetric distribution of fragments is well understood for actinides (elements in the periodic table with atomic numbers from 89 to 103) based on shell effects(10), symmetric fission governs the scission process for lighter elements. However, unexpected asymmetric splits have been observed in neutron-deficient exotic nuclei(11), prompting extensive further investigations. Here we present measurements of the charge distributions of fission fragments for 100 exotic fissioning systems, 75 of which have never been measured, and establish a connection between the neutron-deficient sub-lead region and the well-understood actinide region. These new data comprehensively map the asymmetric fission island and provide clear evidence for the role played by the deformed Z = 36 proton shell of the light fragment in the fission of sub-lead nuclei. Our dataset will help constrain the fission models used to estimate the fission properties of nuclei with extreme neutron-to-proton ratios for which experimental data are unavailable.
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Cabanelas, P. et al, & Nacher, E. (2020). Performance recovery of long CsI(Tl) scintillator crystals with APD-based readout. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 965, 163845–6pp.
Abstract: CALIFA is the high efficiency and energy resolution calorimeter for the (RB)-B-3 experiment at FAIR, intended for detecting high energy light charged particles and gamma rays in scattering experiments, and is being commissioned during the Phase-0 experiments at FAIR, between 2018 and 2020. It surrounds the reaction target in a segmented configuration with 2432 detection units made of long CsI(Tl) finger-shaped scintillator crystals. CALIFA has a 10 year intended operational lifetime as the (RB)-B-3 calorimeter, necessitating measures to be taken to ensure enduring performance. In this paper we present a systematic study of two groups of 6 different detection units of the CALIFA detector after more than four years of operation. The energy resolution and light output yield are evaluated under different conditions. Tests cover the aging of the first detector units assembled and investigates recovery procedures for degraded detection units. A possible reason for the observed degradation is given, pointing to the crystal-APD coupling.
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Mistry, A. K. et al, Tain, J. L., Agramunt, J., Algora, A., Guadilla, V., Morales, A. I., et al. (2022). The DESPEC setup for GSI and FAIR. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 1033, 166662–18pp.
Abstract: The DEcay SPECtroscopy (DESPEC) setup for nuclear structure investigations was developed and commissioned at GSI, Germany in preparation for a full campaign of experiments at the FRS and Super-FRS. In this paper, we report on the first employment of the setup in the hybrid configuration with the AIDA implanter coupled to the FATIMA LaBr3(Ce) fast-timing array, and high-purity germanium detectors. Initial results are shown from the first experiments carried out with the setup. An overview of the setup and function is discussed, including technical advancements along the path.
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R3B Collaboration(Ponnath, L. et al), Benlliure, J., Cortina-Gil, D., & Nacher, E. (2025). Precise measurement of nuclear interaction cross sections towards neutron-skin determination with R3B. Nucl. Phys. A, 1056, 123022–5pp.
Abstract: The (RB)-B-3 (Reactions with Relativistic Radioactive Beams) experiment as a major instrument of the NUSTAR collaboration for the research facility FAIR in Darmstadt is designed for kinematically complete studies of reactions with high-energy radioactive beams. Part of the broad physics program of (RB)-B-3 is to constrain the asymmetry term in the nuclear equation-of-state and hence improve the description of highly asymmetric nuclear matter (e.g., in neutron stars). For a precise determination of the neutron-skin thickness – an observable which is directly correlated with the symmetry energy in theoretical calculations – by measuring absolute fragmentation cross sections, it is essential to quantify the uncertainty and challenge the reaction model under stable conditions. During the successful FAIR Phase-0 campaign of (RB)-B-3, we precisely measured the energy dependence of total interaction cross sections in C-12+C-12 collisions, for a direct comparison with calculations based on the eikonal reaction theory.
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R3B Collaboration(Benlliure, J. et al), Cortina-Gil, D., & Nacher, E. (2025). Fission studies using quasi-free NN scattering reactions in inverse kinematics. Nucl. Phys. A, 1063, 123173–5pp.
Abstract: The combined use of the inverse kinematics technique and the advanced detection setup R3B (Reactions with Relativistic Radioactive Beams) at GSI/FAIR provides unique opportunities to study the fission process. This approach provides access to the complete isotopic identification of the two fission fragments, the precise determination of their velocities and the measurement of the neutrons and gammas emitted in coincidence, for a wide range of unstable fissile nuclei. In addition, quasi-free NN scattering represents a surrogate reaction to induce fission, allowing the complete identification of the fissioning system in terms of isotopic composition and excitation energy. The manuscript describes the technical realisation of these experiments as well as the physics programme and some preliminary results.
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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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Estevez, E. et al, Algora, A., Rubio, B., Bernabeu, J., Nacher, E., Tain, J. L., et al. (2011). beta-decay study of (150)Er, (152)Yb, and (156)Yb: Candidates for a monoenergetic neutrino beam facility. Phys. Rev. C, 84(3), 034304–6pp.
Abstract: The beta decays of (150)Er, (152)Yb, and (156)Yb nuclei are investigated using the total absorption spectroscopy technique. These nuclei can be considered possible candidates for forming the beam of a monoenergetic neutrino beam facility based on the electron capture (EC) decay of radioactive nuclei. Our measurements confirm that for the cases studied the EC decay proceeds mainly to a single state in the daughter nucleus.
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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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Perez-Cerdan, A. B., Rubio, B., Gelletly, W., Algora, A., Agramunt, J., Nacher, E., et al. (2013). Deformation of Sr and Rb isotopes close to the N = Z line via beta-decay studies using the total absorption technique. Phys. Rev. C, 88(1), 014324–15pp.
Abstract: A study of the Gamow-Teller strength distributions B(GT) in the beta decay of Sr-78 and Rb-76,Rb-78 has been made using a total absorption spectrometer (TAS). Following the success in deducing the sign of the deformation for Sr-76, a similar approach is adopted for Sr-78 based on a comparison of the measured B(GT) with quasiparticle random-phase approximation calculations. This work confirms its previously expected prolate deformation in the ground state. Conclusions about the structure of the odd-odd Rb-76,Rb-78 isotopes have been drawn based on their measured B(GT) distributions.
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Briz, J. A., Nacher, E., Borge, M. J. G., Algora, A., Rubio, B., Dessagne, P., et al. (2015). Shape study of the N = Z nucleus Kr-72 via beta decay. Phys. Rev. C, 92(5), 054326–10pp.
Abstract: The beta decay of the N = Z nucleus Kr-72 has been studied with the total absorption spectroscopy technique at ISOLDE (CERN). A total B(GT) = 0.79(4)g(A)(2)/4 pi has been found up to an excitation energy of 2.7 MeV. The B(GT) distribution obtained is compared with predictions from state-of-the-art theoretical calculations to learn about the ground state deformation of Kr-72. Although a dominant oblate deformation is suggested by direct comparison with quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA) calculations, beyond-mean-field and shell-model calculations favor a large oblate-prolate mixing in the ground state.
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