Search

In several recent measurements the symmetric fission of 24 Mg has been reported. In this paper the results of a search for similar processes in 28 Si and 32 S are presented. In contrast to the results for 24 Mg, no evidence is seen for the fission of 28 Si to 16 O+ 12 C or 32 S to 16 O+ 16 O following inelastic excitation. However, these processes are observed to occur following pickup onto 24 Mg. The results are consistent with a simple model of the fission process developed by Harvey and suggest the existence of large scale cluster structure in all three nuclei.

We report the operation and performance of a compact, high-efficiency 8Be detector designed for use in breakup reaction studies. It offers a number of advantages over previous detectors in allowing accurate kinematical identification of 8Be excited states and scattering angle as well as allowing large solid angle coverage.

A detection system has been constructed to measure the alpha and proton decays of short-lived (> μs) nuclear species lying in the proximity of the proton drip line. Proton-rich nuclei produced in fusion-evaporation reactions at angles around 0° are mass separated in flight using the Daresbury Recoil Mass Separator. A two-dimensionally position sensitive silicon surface barrier detector is used to measure evaporation residue implantations and decays. The position information is used to identify the mass of the parent nucleus and to correlate causally related events. The operation and performance of the detection system are described.

16O+8Be breakup of 24Mg has been identified following inelastic scattering of 24Mg projectiles. The spectrum of states observed is compared to that previously measured in the 12C+12C breakup channel to obtain information on the partial decay widths.