Search

Accurate neutron-capture cross sections on unstable nuclei near the line of beta stability are crucial for understanding the s-process nucleosynthesis. However, neutron-capture cross sections for short-lived radionuclides are difficult to measure due to the fact that the measurements require both highly radioactive samples and intense neutron sources. Essential ingredients for describing the γ decays following neutron capture are the γ-ray strength function and level densities. We will compare different indirect approaches for obtaining the most relevant observables that can constrain Hauser-Feshbach statistical-model calculations of capture cross sections. Specifically, we will consider photon scattering using monoenergetic and 100% linearly polarized photon beams. Challenges that exist on the path to obtaining neutron-capture cross sections for reactions on isotopes near and far from stability will be discussed.

Neutron inelastic scattering cross sections measured directly through (n,n) or deduced from γ-ray production cross sections following inelastic neutron scattering (n,n′γ) are a focus of basic and applied research at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory (www.pa.uky.edu/accelerator). For nuclear data applications, angle-integrated cross sections are desired over a wide range of fast neutron energies. Several days of experimental beam time are required for a data set at each incident neutron energy, which limits the number of angular distributions that can be measured in a reasonable amount of time. Approximations can be employed to generate cross sections with a higher energy resolution, since at 125o, the a2P2 term of the Legendre expansion is identically zero and the a4P4 is assumed to be very small. Provided this assumption is true, a single measurement at 125o would produce the γ-ray production cross section. This project tests these assumptions and energy dependences using the codes CINDY/SCAT and TALYS/ECIS06/SCAT. It is found that care must be taken when interpreting γ-ray excitation functions as cross sections when the incident neutron energy is < 1000 keV above threshold or before the onset of feeding.

The nuclear structure of 122Xe has been investigated with measurements of the β+/EC decay of 122Cs with the 8 π γ-ray spectrometer at the TRIUMF-ISAC facility. The data collected have enabled the determination of relative B(E2) values of some low-energy transitions, and the in-band transitions of the excited 0+ bands have been observed. As a result, the 2+ rotational band members for the 0+2 and 0+3 states have been firmly identified.

Elastic and inelastic neutron differential cross sections are measured at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory (www.pa.uky.edu/accelerator/) at incident energies in the fast neutron region. The labo- ratorys facilities and instrumentation will be described and our measurement and analysis procedures outlined. Many corrections are required for neutron scattering experiments and the analysis utilizes information from many other cross section data sets and model calculations. Exploring and understanding the limitations of the foundational information and procedures are important for controlling the accuracy of the cross section results. We are examining the limitations in neutron detection efficiency, the normalization of (n,n′γ) cross sections,background reduction, spectrum stripping techniques, and attenuation and multiple scattering corrections. The resulting differential cross sections provide information on the compound elastic and coupled channels reaction mechanisms important for advanced reactor designs

A series of photon scattering experiments has been performed on the double-beta decay partners 76Ge and 76Se, in order to investigate their dipole response up to the neutron separation threshold. Gamma-ray beams from bremsstrahlung at the S-DALINAC and from Compton-backscattering at HIGS have been used to measure absolute cross sections and parities of dipole excited states, respectively. The HIGS data allows for indirect measurement of averaged branching ratios, which leads to significant corrections in the observed excitation cross sections. Results are compared to statistical calculations, to test photon strength functions and the Axel-Brink hypothesis

Elastic and inelastic neutron scattering differential cross sections and γ-ray production cross sections have been measured on 54,56Fe at several incident energies in the fast neutron region between 1.5 and 4.7 MeV. All measurements were completed at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory (UKAL) using a 7-MV Model CN Van de Graaff accelerator, along with the neutron production and neutron and γ-ray detection systems located there. The facilities at UKAL allow the investigation of both elastic and inelastic scattering with nearly mono-energetic incident neutrons. Time-of-flight techniques were used to detect the scattered neutrons for the differential cross section measurements. The measured cross sections are important for fission reactor applications and also for testing global model calculations such as those found at ENDF, since describing both the elastic and inelastic scattering is important for determining the direct and compound components of the scattering mechanism. The γ-ray production cross sections are used to determine cross sections to unresolved levels in the neutron scattering experiments. Results from our measurements and comparisons to model calculations are presented.

Highly enriched (> 99.9%) 132Xe and 134Xe gases were converted to solid 132XeF2 and 134XeF2 and were used as scattering samples for inelastic neutron scattering measurements at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory (UKAL). Lifetimes of levels up to 3.5MeV in excitation energy in these xenon isotopes were measured using the Doppler-shift attenuation method, allowing the determination of reduced transition probabilities. Gamma rays corresponding to new transitions and levels have been observed. In particular, tentative new excited 0+ states and associated decays have been examined in an effort to elucidate the structure of these nuclei in a transitional region, and comparisons have been drawn with models which seek to describe such nuclei, e.g., the E(5) critical-point symmetry of the IBM. Newly identified potential interferences for neutrinoless double-beta decay searches involving 136Xe are also discussed.

Inelastic neutron scattering on solid 130XeF2 and 136XeF2 targets was utilized to populate excited levels in 130Xe and 136Xe. When calculating nuclear matrix elements vital to the understanding of double-beta decay, it is important to have a clear understanding of the low-lying level structure of both the parent and daughter nucleus. Of particular relevance to double-beta decay searches are the assignments of 0+ states. We show here that in the case of 130Xe there are several discrepancies in the adopted level structure. We found that one previous 0+ candidate level (1590 keV) can be ruled out and assigned two additional candidates (2223 and 2242 keV). In 136Xe we question the previous assignment of a 0+ level at 2582 keV. Excitation function and angular distribution measurements were utilized to make spin and parity assignments of levels and place new transitions.

The DESCANT array (Deuterated Scintillator Array for Neutron Tagging) consists of up to 70 detectors, each filled with approximately 2 liters of deuterated benzene. This scintillator material o_ers pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) capabilities to distinguish between neutrons and γ-rays interacting with the scintillator material. In addition, the anisotropic nature of n – d scattering allows for the determination of the neutron energy spectrum directly from the pulse height spectrum, complementing the traditional time-of-flight (ToF) information. DESCANT can be coupled either to the TIGRESS (TRIUMF-ISAC Gamma-Ray Escape Suppressed Spectrometer) γ-ray spectrometer [1] located in the ISAC-II [2] hall of TRIUMF for in-beam experiments, or to the GRIFFIN (Gamma-Ray Infrastructure For Fundamental Investigations of Nuclei) γ-ray spectrometer [3] located in the ISAC-I hall of TRIUMF for decay spectroscopy experiments.

Measurements of neutron elastic and inelastic scattering from 23Na have been performed for sixteen incident neutron energies above 1.5 MeV with the 7-MV University of Kentucky Accelerator using the 3H(p,n) reaction as the neutron source. These measurements were complemented by γ-ray excitation functions using the (n,n'γ) reaction. The time-of-flight technique is employed for background reduction in both neutron and γ- ray measurements and for determining the energy of the scattered neutrons. Cross section determinations support fuel cycle and structural materials research and development. Previous reaction model evaluations [1] relied primarily on total cross sections and four (n,n0) and (n,n1) angular distributions in the En = 5 to 9 MeV range. The inclusion of more inelastic channels at lower neutron energies provides additional information on direct couplings between elastic and inelastic scattering as a function of angular momentum transfer. Reaction model calculations examining direct collective and statistical properties were performed.

A neutron tagging array based upon liquid deuterated scintillators is being developed for the study of neutron-rich systems. The DEuterated SCintillator Array for Neutron Tagging, or DESCANT, will serve as an auxiliary detector for both the TIGRESS and GRIFFIN γ-ray spectrometers located at TRIUMF’s ISAC radioactive ion beam facility. DESCANT is comprised of 70 pseudohexaconical detectors of five varieties. The array is fully close-packed, subtends a downstream angle of θ = 65° and covers 92.6% of this solid angle or 1.08π sr. Each detector is 150 mm thick and filled with Bicron BC-537 liquid deuterated scintillator. The white, red and blue detectors are viewed by 127 mm diameter Hamamatsu R4155 photomultiplier tubes while the yellow and green detectors are viewed by 78 mm diameter ET Enterprises 9822B photomultiplier tubes. The aim of this work is to report on the mechanical design of DESCANT and the performance of a prototype detector measured using mono-energetic neutrons.

Excited states in 106Pd and 106Cd have been studied using the (n,n′γ) reaction. The data include level lifetimes, spins, branching ratios, and multipole mixing ratios, and give a comprehensive view of excitations with spin ≤6ħ. The determined E2 strengths show serious discrepancies with the quadrupole phonon structure expected in these nuclei.

A study of the 110In β+/EC decay was performed at the TRIUMF Isotope Separator and Accelerator (ISAC) facility to probe the nuclear structure of 110Cd. The data were collected in scaled-down γ-ray singles, γ − γ coincidence, and γ-electron coincidence mode. The data were sorted and a random-background subtracted γ − γ matrix was created containing a total of 850 million events. We expanded the level scheme of 110Cd significantly by identifying 75 levels under 3.8 MeV, including 12 new ones, and increased the number of previously observed transitions from these levels to 273. The γ-ray branching intensities have been extracted through an analysis of the coincidence intensities. The branching ratios were combined with a reanalysis of lifetimes measurements obtained in an (n, n'γ) reaction with monoenergetic neutrons for the calculation of B(E2) values and these results have lead to the proposal of a γ-soft rotor, or O(6) nucleus, rather than a vibrational, or U(5) pattern for the nature of the low-lying, low-spin levels in 110Cd.