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The reactions 13C( ; n)16O and 22Ne( ; n)25Mg are the primary sources of neutrons for the astrophysical s-process. The feasibility of cross section measurements within the respective Gamow windows is discussed in quantitative terms for a 4 neutron counter, based on 3He tubes and a neutron moderator, placed in an underground lab., Postprint (published version)

In this work beta-decay half-lives and neutron-emission probability values have been experimentally determined for first time in several nuclei beyond the neutron-shell closure at N=126. To this aim the accelerator complex at the GSI center for heavy ion research (Germany), in combination with the FRS fragment separator, were employed. The beta-decay detection system consisted of a charged particle detector named SIMBA, which served to detect both ion and beta-particles, surrounded by an array of He-3 based neutron counters named BELEN. The half-life values of eighteen isotopes of Au, Hg, Tl, Pb and Bi were determined, as well as the neutron-branching ratios (or upper limits) for seven nuclei. A comparison of the present results with previous half-life measurements in this mass-region shows a generally good agreement, thus reflecting the systematic validity of the decay data available in this region. Compared to theoretical models, our results show a reasonable agreement for half of the analyzed isotopes, and large discrepancies of up to a factor of 10 for the other half. The measured neutron-branching ratios represent the first set of experimental data available in this mass-region for several isotopes. Owing to the absence of previous experimental results, the values reported here can be only compared with theoretical predictions. In summary, a fair compatibility is found between FRDM+QRPA calculations, which however are underestimating by a factor of 5 the neutron-branching ratio of Tl-215, which is the most exotic nucleus measured in this work.

In this work beta-decay half-lives and neutron-emission probability values have been experimentally determined for first time in several nuclei beyond the neutron-shell closure at N=126. To this aim the accelerator complex at the GSI center for heavy ion research (Germany), in combination with the FRS fragment separator, were employed. The beta-decay detection system consisted of a charged particle detector named SIMBA, which served to detect both ion and beta-particles, surrounded by an array of He-3 based neutron counters named BELEN. The half-life values of eighteen isotopes of Au, Hg, Tl, Pb and Bi were determined, as well as the neutron-branching ratios (or upper limits) for seven nuclei. A comparison of the present results with previous half-life measurements in this mass-region shows a generally good agreement, thus reflecting the systematic validity of the decay data available in this region. Compared to theoretical models, our results show a reasonable agreement for half of the analyzed isotopes, and large discrepancies of up to a factor of 10 for the other half. The measured neutron-branching ratios represent the first set of experimental data available in this mass-region for several isotopes. Owing to the absence of previous experimental results, the values reported here can be only compared with theoretical predictions. In summary, a fair compatibility is found between FRDM+QRPA calculations, which however are underestimating by a factor of 5 the neutron-branching ratio of Tl-215, which is the most exotic nucleus measured in this work., En aquest treball s'han determinat, experimentalment i per primera vegada, vides mitjanes i valors de probabilitat d'emissió de neutrons de diversos nuclis amb més de 126 neutrons. Per tal d'obtenir les dades es va realitzar un experiment a les instal·lacions del centre d’investigació d'ions pesats GSI a (Alemanya), combinat amb el separador de fragments FRS. El sistema de detecció d'ions i desintegracions beta va consistir d'un detector de partícules carregades anomenat SIMBA, que estava envoltat per una matriu de comptadors proporcionals d’'He-3 que conformen el detector de neutrons BELEN. En total s'han determinat valors de vida mitjana de divuit isòtops d'or, mercuri, tal·li, plom i bismut, així com també la probabilitat d'emissió de neutrons (o llindars superiors) de set d'ells. Comparant els resultats amb les mesures de vides mitjanes anteriors en aquesta regió de nuclis s'observa un bon acord, reflectint la validesa de la sistemàtica de les dades existents. D’'altra banda, fent la comparació amb els models teòrics, els resultats mostren un acord raonable per la meitat dels isòtops analitzats, i grans discrepàncies, de fins a un factor 10, per l'altra meitat. Pel que fa a les probabilitats d'emissió de neutrons mesurades, essent la primera mesura experimental a la regió per a diversos nuclis, no és possible comparar amb altres els valors obtinguts. La única comparació que es pot avaluar és amb les prediccions teòriques. En resum, els resultats són compatibles amb el model FRDM + QRPA, no obstant s'observen discrepàncies considerables en alguns isòtops de fins a un factor 5, com és el cas del valor obtingut per Tl-215, que correspon al nucli més exòtic del qual s'’ha determinat la probabilitat d’'emissió de neutrons., Postprint (published version)

Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

The antineutrino spectra measured in recent experiments at reactors are inconsistent with calculations based on the conversion of integral beta spectra recorded at the ILL reactor. Rb-92 makes the dominant contribution to the reactor antineutrino spectrum in the 5-8 MeV range but its decay properties are in question. We have studied Rb-92 decay with total absorption spectroscopy. Previously unobserved beta feeding was seen in the 4.5-5.5 region and the GS to GS feeding was found to be 87.5(25)%. The impact on the reactor antineutrino spectra calculated with the summation method is shown and discussed., The antineutrino spectra measured in recent experiments at reactors are inconsistent with calculations based on the conversion of integral beta spectra recorded at the ILL reactor. Rb-92 makes the dominant contribution to the reactor antineutrino spectrum in the 5-8 MeV range but its decay properties are in question. We have studied Rb-92 decay with total absorption spectroscopy. Previously unobserved beta feeding was seen in the 4.5-5.5 region and the GS to GS feeding was found to be 87.5(25)%. The impact on the reactor antineutrino spectra calculated with the summation method is shown and discussed., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

A new accurate determination of beta-delayed neutron emission probabilities from nuclei in the low mass region of the light fission group has been performed. The measurements were carried out using the BELEN 4 pi neutron counter at the IGISOL-JYFL mass separator in combination with a Penning trap. The new results significantly improve the uncertainties of neutron emission probabilities for Br-91, As-86, As-85, and Ge-85 nuclei., Postprint (published version)

New measurements of very exotic nuclei in the neutron-rich region beyond N=126 have been performed at the GSI facility with the fragment separator (FRS). The aim of the experiment is to determine half-lives and beta-delayed neutron emission branching ratios of isotopes of Hg, Tl and Pb in this region. This contribution summarizes final counting statistics for identification and for implantation, as well as the present status of the data analysis of the half-lives. In summary, isotopes of Pt, Au, Hg, Ti, Pb, Bi, Po, At, Rn and Fr were clearly identified and several of them (Hg208-211, Tl211-215, Pb214-218) were implanted with enough statistics to determine their half-lives. About half of them are expected to be neutron emitters, in such cases it will become possible to obtain the neutron emission probabilities, P-n., Postprint (published version)

The elements heavier than iron are produced in the Universe mainly by means of the slow (s) and rapid (r) neutron capture processes (for a recent review see e.g. [1]). The latter nucleosynthesis mechanism occurs between the valley of stability and the neutron drip line, passing along the neutron shell closures where exceptionally long half-lives and small neutron capture cross sections yield the three characteristic abundance maxima at A ~ 80, 130 and 195., Postprint (published version)

A complete characterisation of the β-decay of neutron-rich nuclei can be obtained from the measurement of β -delayed gamma rays and, whenever the process is energetically possible, β -delayed neutrons. The accurate determination of the β-intensity distribution and the β -delayed neutron emission probability is of great relevance in the elds of reactor technology and nuclear astrophysics. A programme for combined measurements using the total absorption gamma-ray spectroscopy technique and both neutron counters and neutron time-of-flight spectrometers is presented., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

This work presents the Monte Carlo simulations performed with the MCNPX and GEANT4 codes for the design of a BEta deLayEd Neutron detector, BELEN-20. This detector will be used for the study of beta delayed neutron emission and consists of a block of polyethylene with dimensions 90x90x80 cm3 and 20 cylindrical 3He gas counters. The results of these simulations have been validated experimentally with a 252Cf source in the laboratory at UPC, Barcelona. Also the first experiment with this detector has been carried out in November 2009 in JYFL, Finland. In this experiment the neutron emission probability after beta decay of the fission products 88Br, 94;95Rb, and 138I has been measured; this data is still under analysis. Simulations with MCNPX and GEANT4 have been performed in order to obtain the efficiency of the BELEN-20 detector for each of the above nuclei using the neutron energy distribution corresponding to each nucleus., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

A prototype version of the BEta deLayEd Neutron detector, which is being developed for the FAIR/DESPEC experiment, has been used for the first time in an experiment at JYFL (Finland). This detector is based on 3He counters and its first run was primarily intended to commission the detector and verify the working principles for future experiments. A new triggerless DAQ has been developed for these measurements. This DAQ time-stamps the events and allows complete flexibility to construct correlations offline. An isotopically pure beam was obtained using the JYFLTRAP Penning trap setup at the IGISOL facility and it was implanted on a movable tape placed in the centre of the BELEN-20 detector. The measurements were performed for known delayed neutron emitters of interest for nuclear power generation: 88Br, 94,95Rb, 138I. The characteristics of the BELEN-20 detector and the first experiment at JYFL are presented in this paper., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

Un dels descobriments més interessants del passat SXX és el de les radiacions ionitzants. Es va verificar que la Terra està exposada a radiacions ionitzants d’alta energia provinents de l’espai exterior, i que en els elements bàsics del nostre medi ambient –sòl, aire i aigua‐ es troben radioisòtops en concentracions variables amb els quals la humanitat ha conviscut des de sempre. Les aplicacions de la tecnologia nuclear en l’activitat humana han anat en augment des del descobriment d’aquestes radiacions. Se’n podrien enumerar moltes i en camps molt variats que poden anar des de l’agricultura i l’alimentació a la indústria, passant per la medicina i la salut humana, la producció d’energia, el control de certs fenòmens naturals, etcètera. Malgrat tot, aquests beneficis comporten també un cert risc radiològic com a conseqüència d’accidents en els que s’alliberi material radioactiu a l’ambient; és per aquest motiu que s’han dissenyat xarxes de vigilància per a detectar contaminants radioactius, tant d’elements artificials d’origen antropogènic com d’origen natural, que a determinades concentracions també poden ser perjudicials per l’ésser humà. Aquestes xarxes de vigilància s’han desplegat en tot el territori com a conseqüència de l’abast geogràfic que poden arribar a tenir les fuites o accidents radioactius i els problemes mediambientals que se’n deriven. Inicialment, cada país va crear la seva pròpia xarxa però en els darrers anys, aquestes s’han anat connectant formant xarxes d’àmbit internacional. Es poden diferenciar dos tipus de xarxes; per una banda les Xarxes d’Estacions Automàtiques (REA), repartides per tot el territori de l’estat i que disposen també de les dades de les comunitats amb xarxa pròpia, i per altra banda les Xarxes d’Estacions de Mostreig (REM), que analitzen mostres atmosfèriques, terrestres i aquàtiques en laboratoris. Tan a l’estat espanyol com en un gran nombre de països