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The ^{36}Ar(n,γ)^{37}Ar (t_{1/2}=35 d) and ^{38}Ar(n,γ)^{39}Ar (269 yr) reactions were studied for the first time with a quasi-Maxwellian (kT∼47 keV) neutron flux for Maxwellian average cross section (MACS) measurements at stellar energies. Gas samples were irradiated at the high-intensity Soreq applied research accelerator facility-liquid-lithium target neutron source and the ^{37}Ar/^{36}Ar and ^{39}Ar/^{38}Ar ratios in the activated samples were determined by accelerator mass spectrometry at the ATLAS facility (Argonne National Laboratory). The ^{37}Ar activity was also measured by low-level counting at the University of Bern. Experimental MACS of ^{36}Ar and ^{38}Ar, corrected to the standard 30 keV thermal energy, are 1.9(3) and 1.3(2) mb, respectively, differing from the theoretical and evaluated values published to date by up to an order of magnitude. The neutron-capture cross sections of ^{36,38}Ar are relevant to the stellar nucleosynthesis of light neutron-rich nuclides; the two experimental values are shown to affect the calculated mass fraction of nuclides in the region A=36-48 during the weak s process. The new production cross sections have implications also for the use of ^{37}Ar and ^{39}Ar as environmental tracers in the atmosphere and hydrosphere.

Despite the more than 1 order of magnitude difference between the measured dipole moments in ^{144}Ba and ^{146}Ba, the octupole correlations in ^{146}Ba are found to be as strong as those in ^{144}Ba with a similarly large value of B(E3;3^{-}→0^{+}) determined as 48(+21-29) W.u. The new results not only establish unambiguously the presence of a region of octupole deformation centered on these neutron-rich Ba isotopes, but also manifest the dependence of the electric dipole moments on the occupancy of different neutron orbitals in nuclei with enhanced octupole strength, as revealed by fully microscopic calculations.

Research efforts ranging from studies of solid helium to searches for a neutron electric dipole moment require isotopically purified helium with a ratio of ^3He to ^4He at levels below that which can be measured using traditional mass spectroscopy techniques. We demonstrate an approach to such a measurement using accelerator mass spectroscopy, reaching the 10^(−14) level of sensitivity, several orders of magnitude more sensitive than other techniques. Measurements of ^3He/^4He in samples relevant to the measurement of the neutron lifetime indicate the need for substantial corrections. We also argue that there is a clear path forward to sensitivity increases of at least another order of magnitude.

The isotope {sup 257}Rf was produced in the fusion-evaporation reaction {sup 208}Pb({sup 50}Ti,n){sup 257}Rf. Reaction products were separated and identified by mass. Delayed spectroscopy of {sup 257}Rf and its decay products was performed. A partial decay scheme with configuration assignments is proposed based on {alpha} hindrance factors. The excitation energy of the 1/2{sup +}[620] configuration in {sup 253}No is proposed. The energy of this 1/2{sup +} state in a series of N=151 isotones increases with nuclear charge, reflecting an increase in the N=152 gap. This gap is deduced to grow substantially from 850 to 1400 keV between Z=94 and 102. An isomeric state in {sup 257}Rf, with a half-life of 160{sub -31}{sup +42} {mu}s, was discovered by detecting internal conversion electrons followed by {alpha} decay. It is interpreted as a three-quasiparticle high-K isomer. A second group of internal conversion electrons, with a half-life of 4.1{sub -1.3}{sup +2.4} s, followed by {alpha} decay, was also observed. These events might originate from the decay of excited states in {sup 257}Lr, populated by electron-capture decay of {sup 257}Rf. Fission of {sup 257}Rf was unambiguously detected, with a branching ratio of b{sub Rf}{sup SF}=0.02{+-}0.01.

The {sup 44}Ti(t{sub 1/2}=59 yr) nuclide, an important signature of supernova nucleosynthesis, has recently been observed as live radioactivity by {gamma}-ray astronomy from the Cas A remnant. We investigate in the laboratory the major {sup 44}Ti production reaction {sup 40}Ca({alpha},{gamma}){sup 44}Ti (E{sub c.m.}{approx}0.6-1.2 MeV/u) by direct off-line counting of {sup 44}Ti nuclei. The yield, significantly higher than inferred from previous experiments, is analyzed in terms of a statistical model using microscopic nuclear inputs. The associated stellar rate has important astrophysical consequences, increasing the calculated supernova {sup 44}Ti yield by a factor {approx}2 over previous estimates and bringing it closer to Cas A observations.

The excitation energy, spin, and parity of the yrast superdeformed band in 152Dy have been firmly established. The evidence comes mainly from the measured properties of a 4011 keV single-step transition connecting the yrast superdeformed level fed by the 693 keV transition to the 27- yrast state. Four additional, weaker, linking gamma rays have been placed as well. The excitation energy of the lowest superdeformed band member is 10 644 keV and its spin and parity are determined to be 24+.