Fernandez, A., Hufschmidt, D., Colaux, J. L., Valiente-Dobon, J. J., Godinho, V., Jimenez de Haro, M. C., et al. (2020). Low gas consumption fabrication of He-3 solid targets for nuclear reactions. Mater. Des., 186, 108337–10pp.
Abstract: Nanoporous solids that stabilize trapped gas nanobubbles open new possibilities to fabricate solid targets for nuclear reactions. A methodology is described based on the magnetron sputtering (MS) technique operated under quasistatic flux conditions to produce such nanocomposites films with He-3 contents of up to 16 at.% in an amorphous-silicon matrix. In addition to the characteristic low pressure (3-6 Pa) needed for the gas discharge, the method ensures almost complete reduction of the process gas flow during film fabrication. The method could produce similar materials to those obtained under classical dynamic flux conditions for MS. The drastic reduction (>99.5%) of the gas consumption is fundamental for the fabrication of targets with scarce and expensive gases. Si:He-3 and W:He-3 targets are presented together with their microstructural (scanning and transmission electron microscopy, SEM and TEM respectively) and compositional (Ion Beam Analysis, IBA) characterization. The He-3 content achieved was over 1 x 10(18) at/cm(2) for film thicknesses between 1.5 and 3 μm for both Si and W matrices. First experiments to probe the stability of the targets for nuclear reaction studies in inverse kinematics configurations are presented.
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AGATA Collaboration(Goldkuhle, A. et al), Perez-Vidal, R. M., Domingo-Pardo, C., & Gadea, A. (2019). Lifetime measurements in Ti-52,Ti-54 to study shell evolution toward N=32. Phys. Rev. C, 100(5), 054317–12pp.
Abstract: Lifetimes of the excited states in the neutron-rich Ti-52,Ti-54 nuclei, produced in a multinucleon-transfer reaction, were measured by employing the Cologne plunger device and the recoil-distance Doppler-shift method. The experiment was performed at the Grand Accelerateur National d'Ions Lourds facility by using the Advanced Gamma Tracking Array for the gamma-ray detection, coupled to the large-acceptance variable mode spectrometer for an event-by-event particle identification. A comparison between the transition probabilities obtained from the measured lifetimes of the 2(1)(+) to 8(1)(+) yrast states in Ti-52,Ti-54 and that from the shell-model calculations based on the well-established GXPF1A, GXPF1B, and KB3G fp shell interactions support the N = 32 subshell closure. The B(E2) values for Ti-52 determined in this work are in disagreement with the known data, but are consistent with the predictions of the shell-model calculations and reduce the previously observed pronounced staggering across the even-even titanium isotopes.
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Ralet, D. et al, Gadea, A., & Perez, R. M. (2019). Evidence of octupole-phonons at high spin in Pb-207<bold> </bold>. Phys. Lett. B, 797, 134797–6pp.
Abstract: A lifetime measurement of the 19/2(-) state in Pb-207 has been performed using the Recoil Distance Doppler-Shift (RDDS) method. The nuclei of interest were produced in multi-nucleon transfer reactions induced by a Pb-208 beam impinging on a Mo-100 enriched target. The beam-like nuclei were detected<bold> </bold>and identified in terms of their atomic mass number in the VAMOS++ spectrometer while the prompt gamma rays were detected by the AGATA tracking array. The measured large reduced transition probability B(E3, 19/2(-) -> 13/2(+)) = 40(8) W.u. is the first indication of the octupole phonon at high spin in Pb-207. An analysis in terms of a particle-octupole-vibration coupling model indicates that the measured B(E3) value in Pb-207 is compatible with the contributions from single-phonon and single particle E3 as well as E3 strength arising from the double-octupole-phonon 6(+) state, all adding coherently. A crucial aspect of the coupling model, namely the strong mixing between single-hole and the phonon-hole states, is confirmed in a realistic shell-model calculation.
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AGATA Collaboration(Kaya, L. et al), & Gadea, A. (2019). Isomer spectroscopy in Ba-133 and high-spin structure of Ba-134. Phys. Rev. C, 100(2), 024323–18pp.
Abstract: The transitional nuclei Ba-134 and Ba-133 are investigated after multinucleon transfer employing the high-resolution Advanced GAmma Tracking Array coupled to the magnetic spectrometer PRISMA at the Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, Italy, and after fusion-evaporation reaction at the FN tandem accelerator of the University of Cologne, Germany. The J(pi) = 19/2(+) state at 1942 keV in Ba-133 is identified as an isomer with a half-life of 66.6(20) ns corresponding to a B(E1) value of 7.7(4) x 10(-6) e(2) fm(2) for the J(pi) = 19/2(+) to J(pi) = 19/2(-) transition. The level scheme of Ba-134 above the J(pi) = 10(+) isomer is extended to approximately 6 MeV. A pronounced backbending is observed at h omega = 0.38 MeV along the positive-parity yrast band. The results are compared to the high-spin systematics of the Z = 56 isotopes. Large-scale shell-model calculations employing the GCN50:82, SN100PN, SNV, PQM130, Realistic SM, and EPQQM interactions reproduce the experimental findings and elucidate the structure of the high-spin states. The shell-model calculations employing the GCN50:82 and PQM130 interactions reproduce alignment properties and provide detailed insight into the microscopic origin of this phenomenon in transitional Ba-134.
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Dudouet, J. et al, Gadea, A., & Perez-Vidal, R. M. (2019). Excitations of the magic N=50 neutron-core revealed in Ga-81. Phys. Rev. C, 100(1), 011301–6pp.
Abstract: The high-spin states of the neutron-rich Ga-81, with three valence protons outside a Ni-78 core, were measured. The measurement involved prompt gamma-ray spectroscopy of fission fragments isotopically identified using the combination of the variable mode spectrometer (VAMOS++) and the advanced gamma tracking array (AGATA). The new gamma-ray transitions, observed in coincidence with Ga-81 ions, and the corresponding level scheme do not confirm the high-spin levels reported earlier. The newly observed high-spin states in Ga-81 are interpreted using the results of state-of-the-art large-scale shell model (LSSM) calculations. The lower excitation energy levels are understood as resulting from the recoupling of three valence protons to the closed doubly magic core, while the highest excitation energy levels correspond to excitations of the magic N = 50 neutron core. These results support the doubly magic character of Ni-78 and the persistence of the N = 50 shell closure but also highlight the presence of strong proton-neutron correlations associated with the promotion of neutrons across the magic N = 50 shell gap, only few nucleons away from Ni-78.
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Capra, S., Mengoni, D., Dueñas, J. A., John, P. R., Gadea, A., Aliaga, R. J., et al. (2019). Performance of the new integrated front-end electronics of the TRACE array commissioned with an early silicon detector prototype. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 935, 178–184.
Abstract: The spectroscopic performances of the new integrated ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) preamplifiers for highly segmented silicon detectors have been evaluated with an early silicon detector prototype of the TRacking Array for light Charged Ejectiles (TRACE). The ASICS were mounted on a custom-designed PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and the detector plugged on it. Energy resolution tests, performed on the same detector before and after irradiation, yielded a resolution of 21 keV and 33 keV FWHM respectively. The output signals were acquired with an array of commercial 100-MHz 14-bit digitizers. The preamplifier chip is equipped with an innovative Fast-Reset device that has two functions: it reduces dramatically the dead time of the preamplifier in case of saturation (from milliseconds to microseconds) and extends the spectroscopic dynamic range of the preamplifier by more than one order of magnitude. Other key points of the device are the low noise and the wide bandwidth.
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Gottardo, A. et al, Gadea, A., & Algora, A. (2019). New spectroscopic information on Tl-211,Tl-213: A changing structure beyond the N=126 shell closure. Phys. Rev. C, 99(5), 054326–7pp.
Abstract: The neutron-rich isotopes Tl-211,Tl-213, beyond the N = 126 shell closure, have been studied for the first time in isomer gamma-ray decay, exploiting the fragmentation of a primary uranium beam at the Fragment Separator-Rare Isotopes Investigation at GSI setup. The observed isomeric states in Tl-211,Tl-213 show a deviation from the seniority-like scheme of Tl-209. The possible interpretation of the data is discussed on the basis of energy-level systematics and shell-model calculations.
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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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Valiente-Dobon, J. J. et al, Egea, J., Huyuk, T., Gadea, A., Aliaga, R., Jurado-Gomez, M. L., et al. (2019). NEDA-NEutron Detector Array. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 927, 81–86.
Abstract: The NEutron Detector Array, NEDA, will form the next generation neutron detection system that has been designed to be operated in conjunction with gamma-ray arrays, such as the tracking-array AGATA, to aid nuclear spectroscopy studies. NEDA has been designed to be a versatile device, with high-detection efficiency, excellent neutron-gamma discrimination, and high rate capabilities. It will be employed in physics campaigns in order to maximise the scientific output, making use of the different stable and radioactive ion beams available in Europe. The first implementation of the neutron detector array NEDA with AGATA 1 pi was realised at GANIL. This manuscript reviews the various aspects of NEDA.
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Soderstrom, P. A. et al, Agramunt, J., Egea, J., Gadea, A., & Huyuk, T. (2019). Neutron detection and gamma-ray suppression using artificial neural networks with the liquid scintillators BC-501A and BC-537. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 916, 238–245.
Abstract: In this work we present a comparison between the two liquid scintillators BC-501A and BC-537 in terms of their performance regarding the pulse-shape discrimination between neutrons and gamma rays. Special emphasis is put on the application of artificial neural networks. The results show a systematically higher gamma-ray rejection ratio for BC-501A compared to BC-537 applying the commonly used charge comparison method. Using the artificial neural network approach the discrimination quality was improved to more than 95% rejection efficiency of gamma rays over the energy range 150 to 1000 keV for both BC-501A and BC-537. However, due to the larger light output of BC-501A compared to BC-537, neutrons could be identified in BC-501A using artificial neural networks down to a recoil proton energy of 800 keV compared to a recoil deuteron energy of 1200 keV for BC-537. We conclude that using artificial neural networks it is possible to obtain the same gamma-ray rejection quality from both BC-501A and BC-537 for neutrons above a low-energy threshold. This threshold is, however, lower for BC-501A, which is important for nuclear structure spectroscopy experiments of rare reaction channels where low-energy interactions dominates.
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