Bello Garrote, F. L. et al, & Morales, A. I. (2020). beta decay of Ni-75 and the systematics of the low-lying level structure of neutron-rich odd-A Cu isotopes. Phys. Rev. C, 102(3), 034314–13pp.
Abstract: Background: Detailed spectroscopy of neutron-rich odd-A Cu isotopes is of great importance for studying the shell evolution in the region of Ni-78. While there is experimental information on excited states in 69-73,77,79CU isotopes, the information concerning Cu-75 is very limited. Purpose: Experimentally observed single-particle, core-coupling, and proton-hole intruder states in Cu-75, will complete the systematics of these states in the chain of isotopes. Method: Excited states in Cu-75 were populated in the beta decay of Ni-75 isotopes. The Ni nuclei were produced by the in-flight fission of U-238 projectiles, and were separated, identified, and implanted in a highly segmented Si detector array for the detection of the beta-decay electrons. The beta-delayed gamma rays were detected in a HPGe cluster array. Monte Carlo shell model calculations were performed using the A3DA interaction built on the pf g(9/2)d(5/2) model space for both neutrons and protons. Results: A level scheme of Cu-75 was built up to approximate to 4 MeV by performing a gamma-gamma coincidence analysis. The excited states below 2 MeV were interpreted based on the systematics of neutron-rich odd-A Cu isotopes and the results of the shell model calculations. Conclusions: The evolution of the single-particle, core-coupling, and proton-hole intruder states in the chain of neutron-rich odd-A Cu isotopes is discussed in the present work, in connection with the newly observed level structure of Cu-75.
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Phong, V. H. et al, Agramunt, J., Algora, A., Domingo-Pardo, C., Morales, A. I., Tain, J. L., et al. (2019). Observation of a μs isomer in In-134(49)85: Proton-neutron coupling “southeast” of Sn-132(50)82. Phys. Rev. C, 100(1), 011302–6pp.
Abstract: We report on the observation of a microsecond isomeric state in the single-proton-hole, three-neutron-particle nucleus In-134. The nuclei of interest were produced by in-flight fission of a U-238 beam at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory at RIKEN. The isomer depopulates through a gamma ray of energy 56.7(1) keV and with a half-life of T-1/2 = 3.5(4) μs. Based on the comparison with shell-model calculations, we interpret the isomer as the I-pi = 5(-) member of the pi 0g(9/2)(-1) circle times nu 1f(7/2)(3) multiplet, decaying to the I-pi = 7(-) ground state with a reduced-transition probability of B(E2; 5(-) -> 7(-)) = 0.53(6) W.u. Observation of this isomer, and lack of evidence in the current work for a I-pi = 5(-) isomer decay in In-132, provides a benchmark of the proton-neutron interaction in the region of the nuclear chart “southeast” of Sn-132, where experimental information on excited states is sparse.
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Yokoyama, R. et al, Tain, J. L., Algora, A., Agramunt, J., Domingo-Pardo, C., Morales, A. I., et al. (2019). Strong one-neutron emission from two-neutron unbound states in beta decays of the r-process nuclei Ga-86,Ga-87. Phys. Rev. C, 100(3), 031302–6pp.
Abstract: beta-delayed one-neutron and two-neutron branching ratios (P-1n and P-2n) have been measured in the decay of A = 84 to 87 Ga isotopes at the Radioactive-Isotope Beam Factory (RIBF) at the RIKEN Nishina Center using a high-efficiency array of He-3 neutron counters (BRIKEN). Two-neutron emission was observed in the decay of Ga-84,Ga-85,Ga-87 for the first time and the branching ratios were measured to be P-2n = 1.6(2)%, 1.3(2)%, and 10.2(28)(stat)(5)(sys)%, respectively. One-neutron branching ratio of Ga-87 (P-1n = 81(9)(stat)(8)(sys)%) and half-life of 29(4) ms were measured for the first time. The branching ratios of Ga-86 were also measured to be P-1n = 74(2)(stat)(8)(sys)% and 16.2(9)(stat)(6)(sys)% with better precision than a previous study. The observation that P-1n > P-2n for both Ga-86,Ga-87 was unexpected and is interpreted as a signature of dominating one-neutron emission from the two-neutron unbound excited states in Ge-86,Ge-87. In order to interpret the experimental results, shell-model and Hauser-Feshbach statistical model calculations of delayed particle and gamma-ray emission probabilities were performed. This model framework reproduces the experimental results. The shell model alone predicts P-2n significantly larger than P-1n for the Ga-87 decay, and it is necessary to invoke a statistical description to successfully explain the observation that P-1n > P-2n. Our new results demonstrate the relevance and importance of a statistical description of neutron emission for the prediction of the decay properties of multineutron emitters and that it must be included in the r-process modeling.
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IDS Collaboration(Lica, R. et al), & Morales, A. I. (2018). Evolution of deformation in neutron-rich Ba isotopes up to A=150. Phys. Rev. C, 97(2), 024305–12pp.
Abstract: The occurrence of octupolar shapes in the Ba isotopic chain was recently established experimentally up to N = 90. To further extend the systematics, the evolution of shapes in the most neutron-rich members of the Z = 56 isotopic chain accessible at present, Ba-148,Ba-150, has been studied via beta decay at the ISOLDE Decay Station. This paper reports on the first measurement of the positive-and negative-parity low-spin excited states of 150Ba and presents an extension of the beta-decay scheme of Cs-148. Employing the fast timing technique, half-lives for the 2(1)(+) level in both nuclei have been determined, resulting in T-1/2 = 1.51(1) ns for Ba-148 and T-1/2 = 3.4(2) ns for Ba-150. The systematics of low-spin states, together with the experimental determination of the B(E2 : 2(+) -> 0(+)) transition probabilities, indicate an increasing collectivity in Ba148-150, towards prolate deformed shapes. The experimental data are compared to symmetry conserving configuration mixing (SCCM) calculations, confirming an evolution of increasingly quadrupole deformed shapes with a definite octupolar character.
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Morales, A. I. et al, Algora, A., Rubio, B., Orrigo, S. E. A., Agramunt, J., Gelletly, W., et al. (2017). Simultaneous investigation of the T=1(J(pi)=0(+)) and T=0(J(pi)=9(+)) beta decays in Br-70. Phys. Rev. C, 95(6), 064327–11pp.
Abstract: The beta decay of the odd-odd nucleus Br-70 has been investigated with the BigRIPS and EURICA setups at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory (RIBF) of the RIKEN Nishina Center. The T = 0(J(pi) = 9(+)) and T = 1(J(pi) = 0(+)) isomers have both been produced in in-flight fragmentation of Kr-78 with ratios of 41.6(8)% and 58.4(8)%, respectively. A half-life of t(1/2) = 2157(-49)(+53) ms has been measured for the J pi = 9(+) isomer from gamma-ray time decay analysis. Based on this result, we provide a new value of the half-life for the J pi = 0(+) ground state of Br-70, t(1/2) = 78.42 +/- 0.51 ms, which is slightly more precise, and in excellent agreement, with the best measurement reported hitherto in the literature. For this decay, we provide the first estimate of the total branching fraction decaying through the 2(1)(+) state in the daughter nucleus Se-70, R(2(1)(+)) = 1.3 +/- 1.1%. We also report four new low-intensity gamma-ray transitions at 661, 1103, 1561, and 1749 keV following the beta decay of the J pi = 9(+) isomer. Based on their coincidence relationships, we tentatively propose two new excited states at 3945 and 4752 keV in 70Se with most probable spins and parities of J(pi) = (6(+)) and (8(+)), respectively. The observed structure is interpreted with the help of shell-model calculations, which predict a complex interplay between oblate and prolate configurations at low excitation energies.
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IDS Collaboration(Lica, R. et al), & Morales, A. I. (2016). Fast-timing study of the l-forbidden 1/2(+) -> 3/2(+) M1 transition in Sn-129. Phys. Rev. C, 93(4), 044303–7pp.
Abstract: The levels in Sn-129 populated from the beta(-) decay of In-129 isomers were investigated at the ISOLDE facility of CERN using the newly commissioned ISOLDE Decay Station (IDS). The lowest 1/2(+) state and the 3/2(+) ground state in 129Sn are expected to have configurations dominated by the neutron s(1/2) (l = 0) and d(3/2) (l = 2) single-particle states, respectively. Consequently, these states should be connected by a somewhat slow l-forbidden M1 transition. Using fast-timing spectroscopy we havemeasured the half-life of the 1/2(+) 315.3-keV state, T-1/2 = 19(10) ps, which corresponds to a moderately fast M1 transition. Shell-model calculations using the CD-Bonn effective interaction, with standard effective charges and g factors, predict a 4-ns half-life for this level. We can reconcile the shell-model calculations to the measured T-1/2 value by the renormalization of the M1 effective operator for neutron holes.
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Blank, B. et al, Agramunt, J., Algora, A., Guadilla, V., Montaner-Piza, A., Morales, A. I., et al. (2016). New neutron-deficient isotopes from Kr-78 fragmentation. Phys. Rev. C, 93(6), 061301–5pp.
Abstract: In an experiment with the RIKEN projectile fragment separator called BigRIPS at the RIKEN Nishina Center, the fragmentation of a Kr-78 beam allowed the observation of new neutron-deficient isotopes at the proton drip line. Clean identification spectra could be produced and Se-63, Kr-67, and Kr-68 were identified for the first time. In addition, Ge-59 was also observed. Three of these isotopes, Ge-59, Se-63, and Kr-67, are potential candidates for ground-state two-proton radioactivity. In addition, the isotopes Ge-58, Se-62, and Kr-66 were also sought but without success. The present experiment also allowed the determination of production cross sections for some of the most exotic isotopes. These measurements confirm the trend already observed that the empirical parametrization of fragmentation cross sections, EPAX, significantly overestimates experimental cross sections in this mass region.
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Morales, A. I. et al, Gadea, A., & Algora, A. (2014). beta-decay studies of neutron-rich Tl, Pb, and Bi isotopes. Phys. Rev. C, 89(1), 014324–13pp.
Abstract: The fragmentation of relativistic uranium projectiles has been exploited at the Gesellschaft fur Schwerionenforschung laboratory to investigate the beta decay of neutron-rich nuclei just beyond Pb-208. This paper reports on beta-delayed gamma decays of Tl211-213, Pb-215, and Bi215-219 de-exciting states in the daughters Pb211-213, Bi-215, and Po215-219. The resulting partial level schemes, proposed with the help of systematics and shell-model calculations, are presented. The role of allowed Gamow-Teller and first-forbidden beta transitions in this mass region is discussed.
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Morales, A. I. et al, Algora, A., Molina, F., & Rubio, B. (2013). beta-delayed gamma-ray spectroscopy of Au-203,Au-204 and Pt200-202. Phys. Rev. C, 88(1), 014319–12pp.
Abstract: The beta decay of five heavy, neutron-rich nuclei, Pt-203,Pt-204 and Ir200-202, has been investigated following relativistic cold fragmentation reactions of lead projectiles using the FRS + RISING setup at GSI. This paper reports on the study of the low-lying states in the decay daughter nuclei Au-203,Au-204 and Pt200-202. The characteristic gamma rays for each nucleus have been determined using beta-delayed gamma-ray spectroscopy. Tentative level schemes, relative intensities, and apparent beta feedings are provided. These data are compared with shell-model calculations, which indicate a substantial contribution to the total beta strength from high-energy first-forbidden beta-decay transitions in this mass region.
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Morales, A. I. et al, Agramunt, J., Algora, A., Gadea, A., Molina, F., & Rubio, B. (2011). Synthesis of N=127 isotones through (p,n) charge-exchange reactions induced by relativistic (208)Pb projectiles. Phys. Rev. C, 84(1), 011601–5pp.
Abstract: The production cross sections of four N = 127 isotones ((207)Hg, (206)Au, (205)Pt, and (204)Ir) have been measured using (p,n) charge-exchange reactions, induced in collisions of a (208)Pb primary beam at 1 A GeV with a Be target. These data allow one to investigate the use of a reaction mechanism to extend the limits of the chart of nuclides toward the important r-process nuclei in the region of the third peak of elemental abundance distribution.
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