n_TOF Collaboration(Tarrío, D. et al), Domingo-Pardo, C., Giubrone, G., & Tain, J. L. (2023). Neutron-induced fission cross sections of Th-232 and U-233 up to 1 GeV using parallel plate avalanche counters at the CERN n_TOF facility. Phys. Rev. C, 107(4), 044616–21pp.
Abstract: The neutron-induced fission cross sections of Th-232 and U-233 were measured relative to U-235 in a wide neutron energy range up to 1 GeV (and from fission threshold in the case of Th-232, and from 0.7 eV in case of U-233), using the white-spectrum neutron source at the CERN Neutron Time-of-Flight (nTOF) facility. Parallel plate avalanche counters (PPACs) were used, installed at the Experimental Area 1 (EAR1), which is located at 185 m from the neutron spallation target. The anisotropic emission of fission fragments were taken into account in the detection efficiency by using, in the case of U-233, previous results available in EXFOR, whereas in the case of Th-232 these data were obtained from our measurement, using PPACs and targets tilted 45 degrees with respect to the neutron beam direction. Finally, the obtained results are compared with past measurements and major evaluated nuclear data libraries. Calculations using the high-energy reaction models INCL++ and ABLA07 were performed and some of their parameters were modified to reproduce the experimental results. At high energies, where no other neutron data exist, our results are compared with experimental data on proton-induced fission. Moreover, the dependence of the fission cross section at 1 GeV with the fissility parameter of the target nucleus is studied by combining those ( p, f) data with our (n, f) data on Th-232 and U-233 and on other isotopes studied earlier at nTOF using the same experimental setup.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Torres-Sanchez, P. et al), Babiano-Suarez, V., Caballero, L., Domingo-Pardo, C., Ladarescu, I., & Tain, J. L. (2023). Measurement of the 14N(n, p) 14C cross section at the CERN n_TOF facility from subthermal energy to 800 keV. Phys. Rev. C, 107(6), 064617–15pp.
Abstract: Background: The 14N(n, p) 14C reaction is of interest in neutron capture therapy, where nitrogen-related dose is the main component due to low-energy neutrons, and in astrophysics, where 14N acts as a neutron poison in the s process. Several discrepancies remain between the existing data obtained in partial energy ranges: thermal energy, keV region, and resonance region. Purpose: We aim to measure the 14N(n, p) 14C cross section from thermal to the resonance region in a single measurement for the first time, including characterization of the first resonances, and provide calculations of Maxwellian averaged cross sections (MACS). Method: We apply the time-of-flight technique at Experimental Area 2 (EAR-2) of the neutron time-of-flight (n_TOF) facility at CERN. 10B(n, & alpha;) 7Li and 235U(n, f ) reactions are used as references. Two detection systems are run simultaneously, one on beam and another off beam. Resonances are described with the R-matrix code SAMMY. Results: The cross section was measured from subthermal energy to 800 keV, resolving the first two resonances (at 492.7 and 644 keV). A thermal cross section was obtained (1.809 & PLUSMN; 0.045 b) that is lower than the two most recent measurements by slightly more than one standard deviation, but in line with the ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JEFF-3.3 evaluations. A 1/v energy dependence of the cross section was confirmed up to tens of keV neutron energy. The low energy tail of the first resonance at 492.7 keV is lower than suggested by evaluated values, while the overall resonance strength agrees with evaluations. Conclusions: Our measurement has allowed determination of the 14N(n, p) cross section over a wide energy range for the first time. We have obtained cross sections with high accuracy (2.5%) from subthermal energy to 800 keV and used these data to calculate the MACS for kT = 5 to kT = 100 keV.
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AGATA Collaboration(Liu, X. et al), Gadea, A., Jurado, M., Domingo-Pardo, C., Huyuk, T., & Perez-Vidal, R. M. (2022). Evidence for spherical-oblate shape coexistence in Tc-87. Phys. Rev. C, 106(3), 034304–6pp.
Abstract: Excited states in the neutron-deficient nucleus Tc-87 have been studied via the fusion-evaporation reaction 54Fe(36Ar, 2n1p) Tc-87 at 115 MeV beam energy. The AGATA gamma-ray spectrometer coupled to the DIAMANT, NEDA, and Neutron Wall detector arrays for light-particle detection was used to measure the prompt coincidence of gamma rays and light particles. Six transitions from the deexcitation of excited states belonging to a new band in Tc-87 were identified by comparing gamma-ray intensities in the spectra gated under different reaction channel selection conditions. The constructed level structure was compared with the shell model and total Routhian surface calculations. The results indicate that the new band structure in 87Tc is built on a spherical configuration, which is different from that assigned to the previously identified oblate yrast rotational band.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Tagliente, G. et al), Domingo-Pardo, C., Giubrone, G., Tain, J. L., & Tarifeño-Saldivia, A. (2022). Zr-92(n, gamma) and (n,tot) measurements at the GELINA and n_TOF facilities. Phys. Rev. C, 105(2), 025805–14pp.
Abstract: Background: Stellar nucleosynthesis of elements heavier than iron is driven by neutron capture processes. Zr-92 is positioned at a strategic point along the slow nucleosynthesis path, given its proximity to the neutron magic number N = 50 and its position at the matching region between the weak and main slow processes. Purpose: In parallel with recent improved astronomical data, the extraction of accurate Maxwellian averaged cross sections (MACSs) derived from a more complete and accurate set of resonance parameters should allow for a better understanding of the stellar conditions at which nucleosynthesis takes place. Methods: Transmission and capture cross section measurements using enriched Zr-92 metallic samples were performed at the time-of flight facilities GELINA of JRC-Geel (BE) and nTOF of CERN (CH). The neutron beam passing through the samples was investigated in transmission measurements at GELINA using a Li-glass scintillator. The gamma rays emitted during the neutron capture reactions were detected by C6D6 detectors at both GELINA and nTOF. Results: Resonance parameters of individual resonances up to 81 keV were extracted from a combined resonance shape analysis of experimental transmissions and capture yields. For the majority of the resonances the parity was determined from an analysis of the transmission data obtained with different sample thicknesses. Average resonance parameters were calculated. Conclusions: Maxwellian averaged cross sections were extracted from resonances observed up to 81 keV. The MACS for kT = 30 keV is fully consistent with experimental data reported in the literature. The MACSs for kT less than or similar to 15 keV are in good agreement with those derived from the ENDF/B-VIII.0 library and recommended in the KADoNTS database. For kT higher than 30 keV differences are observed. A comparison with MACSs obtained with the cross sections recommended in the JEFF-3.3 and JENDL-4.0 libraries shows discrepancies even for kT less than or similar to 15 keV.
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Girard-Alcindor, V. et al, & Domingo-Pardo, C. (2022). New narrow resonances observed in the unbound nucleus F-15. Phys. Rev. C, 105(5), L051301–7pp.
Abstract: The structure of the unbound F-15 nucleus is investigated using the inverse kinematics resonant scattering of a radioactive O-14 beam impinging on a CH2 target. The analysis of H-1(O-14, p) O-14 and H-1(O-14, 2p) N-13 reactions allowed the confirmation of the previously observed narrow 1/2(-) resonance, near the two-proton decay threshold, and the identification of two new narrow 5/2(-) and 3/2(-) resonances. The newly observed levels decay by 1p emission to the ground of O-14, and by sequential 2p emission to the ground state of N-13 via the 1(-) resonance of O-14. Gamow shell model (GSM) analysis of the experimental data suggests that the wave functions of the 5/2(-) and 3/2(-) resonances may be collectivized by the continuum coupling to nearby 2p- and 1p-decay channels. The observed excitation function H-1(O-14, p) O-14 and resonance spectrum in F-15 are well reproduced in the unified framework of the GSM.
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