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The nuclear level densities (NLDs) and the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray strength functions ($\ensuremath{\gamma}\mathrm{SFs}$) of $^{153,155}\mathrm{Sm}$ have been extracted from ($d,p\ensuremath{\gamma}$) coincidences using the Oslo method. The experimental NLD of $^{153}\mathrm{Sm}$ is higher than the NLD of $^{155}\mathrm{Sm}$, in accordance with microscopic calculations. The $\ensuremath{\gamma}\mathrm{SFs}$ of $^{153,155}\mathrm{Sm}$ are in fair agreement with QRPA calculations based on the D1M Gogny interaction. An enhancement is observed in the $\ensuremath{\gamma}\mathrm{SF}$ for both $^{153,155}\mathrm{Sm}$ nuclei around 3 MeV in excitation energy and is attributed to the $M1$ scissors resonance (SR). Their integrated strengths were found to be in the range 1.3--2.1 and 4.4--6.4 ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{N}^{2}$ for $^{153}\mathrm{Sm}$ and $^{155}\mathrm{Sm}$, respectively. The strength of the SR for $^{155}\mathrm{Sm}$ is comparable to those for deformed even-even Sm isotopes from nuclear resonance fluorescence measurements, while that of $^{153}\mathrm{Sm}$ is lower than expected.

Background: The rapid neutron capture process is one of the main nucleosynthesis processes of elements heavier than Fe. Uncertainties in nuclear properties, such as masses, half-lives, and $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed neutron probabilities can cause orders of magnitude of variation within astrophysical $r$-process simulations. Presently, theoretical models are used to make global predictions of various nuclear properties for the thousands of nuclei required for these simulations, and measurements are required to benchmark these models, especially far from stability.Purpose: $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay strength distributions can be used to not only inform astrophysical $r$-process simulations, but also to provide a stringent test for theoretical calculations. The aim of this work is to provide accurate strength distributions for $^{69,71}\mathrm{Co}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay.Method: The technique of total absorption spectroscopy was used to measure the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay of $^{69,71}\mathrm{Co}$ for the first time at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The ions were implanted in a double-sided silicon strip detector at the center of the Summing NaI(Tl) detector and identified using standard particle identification methods. The response of the detection system to the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay electron and subsequent $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray radiation was fit to the observed experimental data using a ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{2}$-minimization technique.Results: $\ensuremath{\beta}$-feeding intensities and Gamow-Teller strength distributions were extracted from the fits of the experimental data. The $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay intensities show that there is a large percentage of feeding to levels above 2 MeV, which have not been observed in previous studies. The resultant $\ensuremath{\beta}$-feeding intensities and Gamow-Teller strength distributions were compared to shell model and quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA) calculations.Conclusions: Comparing experimentally determined $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay strength distributions provides a test of models, which are commonly used for global $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay properties for astrophysical calculations. This work highlights the importance of performing detailed comparisons of models to experimental data, particularly far from stability and as close to the $r$-process path as possible.

The Oslo method has been applied to particle-$\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidences following the $^{239}\mathrm{Pu}(d,p)$ reaction to obtain the nuclear level density (NLD) and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray strength function ($\ensuremath{\gamma}\mathrm{SF}$) of $^{240}\mathrm{Pu}$. The experiment was conducted with a 12 MeV deuteron beam at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory. The low spin transfer of this reaction leads to a spin-parity mismatch between populated and intrinsic levels. This is a challenge for the Oslo method as it can have a significant impact on the extracted NLD and $\ensuremath{\gamma}\mathrm{SF}$. We have developed an iterative approach to ensure consistent results even for cases with a large spin-parity mismatch, in which we couple Green's function transfer calculations of the spin-parity dependent population cross-section to the nuclear decay code rainier. The resulting $\ensuremath{\gamma}\mathrm{SF}$ shows a pronounced enhancement between 2--4 MeV that is consistent with the location of the low-energy orbital $M1$ scissors mode.

The nuclear level density and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-decay strength of $^{192}\mathrm{Os}$ have been extracted using particle-$\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence data from the $^{192}\mathrm{Os}(\ensuremath{\alpha},{\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\gamma})^{192}\mathrm{Os}$ reaction by means of the Oslo method. The level density is found to be a rather smooth function of excitation energy, approximately following the constant temperature model. The $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-decay strength is compared to photoneutron cross-section data above the neutron separation energy, and to $E1$ and $M1$ strengths for nuclei in this mass region derived from primary transitions following neutron capture. Our results are in good agreement with these previous data and draw a consistent picture of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-strength function in the range ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\approx}1.5--6\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$. Using the measured nuclear level density and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-decay strength as input to the nuclear-reaction code talys, we provide the first experimentally constrained Maxwellian-averaged cross section (MACS) for the $^{191}\mathrm{Os}(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})^{192}\mathrm{Os}$ reaction relevant to $s$-process nucleosynthesis. The systematic uncertainties introduced by the normalization procedure of the level density and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-strength function were investigated and propagated to the calculated Maxwellian-averaged cross section. The obtained result of the Maxwellian-averaged cross section at ${k}_{B}T=30\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\mathrm{keV}$, ${\ensuremath{\langle}\ensuremath{\sigma}\ensuremath{\rangle}}_{n,\ensuremath{\gamma}}=1134\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}375\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mb}$, is in very good agreement with the theoretical estimate provided by the KADoNiS project, giving experimental support to the adopted KADoNiS value. Good agreement is also found with MACS values obtained from other libraries, such as TENDL-2017, ENDF/B-VII.0, and JEFF.

Background: The recent observation of a neutron-star merger finally confirmed one astrophysical location of the rapid neutron-capture process (r-process). Evidence of the production of $Al140$ nuclei was seen, but there is still little detailed information about how those lighter elements are produced in such an environment. Many of the questions surrounding the $A\ensuremath{\approx}80$ nuclei are likely to be answered only when the nuclear physics involved in the production of r-process nuclei is well understood. Neutron-capture reactions are an important component of the r-process, and neutron-capture cross sections of r-process nuclei, which are very neutron rich, have large uncertainties.Purpose: Indirectly determine the neutron-capture cross section and reaction rate of $^{73}\mathrm{Zn}(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})^{74}\mathrm{Zn}$.Methods: The nuclear level density (NLD) and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray strength function ($\ensuremath{\gamma}\mathrm{SF}$) of $^{74}\mathrm{Zn}$ were determined following a total absorption spectroscopy (TAS) experiment focused on the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay of $^{74}\mathrm{Cu}$ into $^{74}\mathrm{Zn}$ performed at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The NLD and $\ensuremath{\gamma}\mathrm{SF}$ were used as inputs in a Hauser-Feshbach statistical model to calculate the neutron-capture cross section and reaction rate.Results: The NLD and $\ensuremath{\gamma}\mathrm{SF}$ of $^{74}\mathrm{Zn}$ were experimentally constrained for the first time using $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays measured with TAS and the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-Oslo method. The NLD and $\ensuremath{\gamma}\mathrm{SF}$ were then used to constrain the neutron-capture cross section and reaction rate for the $^{73}\mathrm{Zn}(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})^{74}\mathrm{Zn}$ reaction.Conclusions: The uncertainty in the neutron-capture cross section and reaction rate of $^{73}\mathrm{Zn}(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})^{74}\mathrm{Zn}$ calculated in TALYS was reduced to under a factor of 2 from a factor of 5 in the cross section and a factor of 11 in the reaction rate using the experimentally obtained NLD and $\ensuremath{\gamma}\mathrm{SF}$.

We are also grateful for the financial support received from the Research Council of Norway (NFR). S.S. and G.M.T. acknowledge funding under NFR project Grants No. 210007 and No. 262952/F20. A.C.L. acknowledges financial support from the ERC-STG2014 under Grant No. 637686.

Lifetimes of several short-lived excited states in Nd138 were measured with the ROSPHERE array at IFIN-HH, Bucharest, using the recoil-distance Doppler shift technique following the Sb123(F19,4n) reaction. The resulting electromagnetic transition probabilities are compared to large-scale shell model calculations and to constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations with the Gogny D1S interaction, configuration mixing, and a five-dimensional collective Hamiltonian formalism. The onset of collectivity in Nd isotopes below the N=82 shell closure and the deformation induced by the alignment of protons and neutron holes in the h11/2 orbitals are discussed.

Neutron-capture reactions on very neutron-rich nuclei are essential for heavy-element nucleosynthesis through the rapid neutron-capture process, now shown to take place in neutron-star merger events. For these exotic nuclei, radiative neutron capture is extremely sensitive to their $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-emission probability at very low $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ energies. In this work, we present measurements of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}\text{-decay}$ strength of $^{70}\mathrm{Ni}$ over the wide range $1.3\ensuremath{\le}{E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\le}8$ MeV. A significant enhancement is found in the $\ensuremath{\gamma}\text{-decay}$ strength for transitions with ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}l3$ MeV. At present, this is the most neutron-rich nucleus displaying this feature, proving that this phenomenon is not restricted to stable nuclei. We have performed $E1$-strength calculations within the quasiparticle time-blocking approximation, which describe our data above ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\simeq}5$ MeV very well. Moreover, large-scale shell-model calculations indicate an $M1$ nature of the low-energy $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ strength. This turns out to be remarkably robust with respect to the choice of interaction, truncation, and model space, and we predict its presence in the whole isotopic chain, in particular the neutron-rich $^{72,74,76}\mathrm{Ni}$.

The $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decay of $^{65}\mathrm{Ni}$ has been studied from particle-$\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence data on the $^{64}\mathrm{Ni}(d,p\ensuremath{\gamma})^{65}\mathrm{Ni}$ reaction. $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectra at excitation energies below ${E}_{x}\ensuremath{\approx}2\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$ have been studied and compared with previous measurements. Coincidences corresponding to ${E}_{x}\ensuremath{\approx}4.4--6.1\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$ have been used to constrain the shape of the nuclear level density and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-strength function of $^{65}\mathrm{Ni}$ by means of the Oslo method. The experimental $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-strength function presents an enhancement at $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ energies below ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\approx}3\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$. In addition, a resonance-like structure centered at ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\approx}4.6\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$ is seen together with accumulated strength at ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\approx}2.6--3.6\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$. The obtained results contribute to the systematic study of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decay in the Ni isotopes, which is of great interest for the understanding of both single-particle and collective nuclear structure phenomena.

Author(s): Rose, SJ; Zeiser, F; Wilson, JN; Oberstedt, A; Oberstedt, S; Siem, S; Tveten, GM; Bernstein, LA; Bleuel, DL; Brown, JA; Crespo Campo, L; Giacoppo, F; Gorgen, A; Guttormsen, M; Hadynska, K; Hafreager, A; Hagen, TW; Klintefjord, M; Laplace, TA; Larsen, AC; Renstrom, T; Sahin, E; Schmitt, C; Tornyi, TG; Wiedeking, M | Abstract: Prompt-fission γ rays are responsible for approximately 5% of the total energy released in fission, and therefore important to understand when modeling nuclear reactors. In this work we present prompt γ-ray emission characteristics in fission as a function of the nuclear excitation energy of the fissioning system. Emitted γ-ray spectra were measured, and γ-ray multiplicities and average and total γ energies per fission were determined for the U(d,pf)233 reaction for excitation energies between 4.8 and 10 MeV, and for the Pu(d,pf)239 reaction between 4.5 and 9 MeV. The spectral characteristics show no significant change as a function of excitation energy above the fission barrier, despite the fact that an extra ∼5 MeV of energy is potentially available in the excited fragments for γ decay. The measured results are compared with model calculations made for prompt γ-ray emission with the fission model code gef. Further comparison with previously obtained results from thermal neutron induced fission is made to characterize possible differences arising from using the surrogate (d,p) reaction.

Particle-$\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence data have been analyzed to obtain the nuclear level density and the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-strength function of $^{64}\mathrm{Ni}$ by means of the Oslo method. The level density found in this work is in very good agreement with known energy levels at low excitation energies as well as with data deduced from particle-evaporation measurements at excitation energies above ${E}_{x}\ensuremath{\approx}5.5$ MeV. The experimental $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-strength function presents an enhancement at $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ energies below ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\approx}3$ MeV and possibly a resonancelike structure centered at ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\approx}9.2$ MeV. The obtained nuclear level density and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-strength function have been used to estimate the $(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})$ cross section for the $s$-process branch-point nucleus $^{63}\mathrm{Ni}$, of particular interest for astrophysical calculations of elemental abundances.

The level density and gamma-ray strength function (gammaSF) of 243Pu have been measured in the quasi-continuum using the Oslo method. Excited states in 243Pu were populated using the 242Pu(d,p) reaction. The level density closely follows the constant-temperature level density formula for excitation energies above the pairing gap. The gammaSF displays a double-humped resonance at low energy as also seen in previous investigations of actinide isotopes. The structure is interpreted as the scissors resonance and has a centroid of omega_{SR}=2.42(5)MeV and a total strength of B_{SR}=10.1(15)mu_N^2, which is in excellent agreement with sum-rule estimates. The measured level density and gammaSF were used to calculate the 242Pu(n,gamma) cross section in a neutron energy range for which there were previously no measured data.