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The astrophysical $^{25}\mathrm{Al}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{26}\mathrm{Si}$ reaction represents one of the key remaining uncertainties in accurately modeling the abundance of radiogenic $^{26}\mathrm{Al}$ ejected from classical novae. Specifically, the strengths of key proton-unbound resonances in $^{26}\mathrm{Si}$, that govern the rate of the $^{25}\mathrm{Al}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})$ reaction under explosive astrophysical conditions, remain unsettled. Here, we present a detailed spectroscopy study of the $^{26}\mathrm{Si}$ mirror nucleus $^{26}\mathrm{Mg}$. We have measured the lifetime of the ${3}^{+}$, 6.125-MeV state in $^{26}\mathrm{Mg}$ to be $19(3)\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\mathrm{fs}$ and provide compelling evidence for the existence of a ${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state in the $T=1,\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}A=26$ system, indicating a previously unaccounted for $\ensuremath{\ell}=1$ resonance in the $^{25}\mathrm{Al}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})$ reaction. Using the presently measured lifetime, together with the assumption that the likely ${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state corresponds to a resonance in the $^{25}\mathrm{Al}+p$ system at 435.7(53) keV, we find considerable differences in the $^{25}\mathrm{Al}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})$ reaction rate compared to previous works. Based on current nova models, we estimate that classical novae may be responsible for up to $\ensuremath{\approx}15%$ of the observed galactic abundance of $^{26}\mathrm{Al}$.

Author(s): McNeel, DG; Wuosmaa, AH; Kuvin, SA; Smith, J; Back, BB; Chen, J; Hoffman, CR; Kay, BP; Wilson, GL; Sharp, DK; Clark, RM; Crawford, HL; Fallon, P; Macchiavelli, AO | Abstract: We have studied the Mg26(t,p)Mg28 reaction. The nucleus Mg28 lies between Mg24 and Mg32, the latter of which is central to the "island of inversion"characterized by low-lying neutron fp-shell configurations. The present results show that the second-excited 0+ state in Mg28 contains large fp-shell occupation for the neutrons. The experiment was performed in inverse kinematics using the HELIcal Orbit Spectrometer (HELIOS) at Argonne National Laboratory. Shell-model calculations using the SDPF-MU interaction yielded level energies and two-neutron transfer amplitudes that were used in one-step distorted-wave Born approximation calculations to provide theoretical predictions of the proton angular distributions. In many, but not all cases, the data were in good agreement with theoretical predictions.

Employing the Argonne Fragment Mass Analyzer and the implantation-decay-decay correlation technique, a weak 0.50(21)% proton decay branch was identified in 108I for the first time. The 108I proton-decay width is consistent with a hindered l = 2 emission, suggesting a d 5 2 origin. Using the extracted 108I proton-decay Q value of 597(13) keV, and the Q α values of the 108I and 107Te isotopes, a proton-decay Q value of 510(20) keV for 104Sb was deduced. Similarly to the 112,113Cs proton-emitter pair, the Q p ( I 108 ) value is lower than that for the less-exotic neighbor 109I, possibly due to enhanced proton-neutron interactions in N ≈ Z nuclei. In contrast, the present Q p ( Sb 104 ) is higher than that of 105Sb, suggesting a weaker interaction energy. For the present Q p ( Sb 104 ) value, network calculations with the one-zone X-ray burst model Mazzocchi et al. (2007) [18] predict no significant branching into the Sn-Sb-Te cycle at 103Sn.

7 pags., 5 figs., 2 tabs., The single-particle properties of Mg29 have been investigated via a measurement of the Mg28(d,p)Mg29 reaction, in inverse kinematics, using the ISOLDE Solenoidal Spectrometer. The negative-parity intruder states from the fp shell have been identified and used to benchmark modern shell-model calculations. The systematic data on the single-particle centroids along the N=17 isotones show good agreement with shell-model predictions in describing the observed trends from stability toward O25. However, there is also evidence that the effect of the finite geometry of the nuclear potential is playing a role on the behavior of the p orbitals near the particle-emission threshold., This work wassupported by the U.K. Science and Technology Facilities Council [Grants No. ST/P004598/1, No. ST/N002563/1, No. ST/M00161X/1 (Liverpool), No. ST/P004423/1 (Manchester), No. ST/P005314/1 (Surrey), the ISOL-SRS Grant (Daresbury), No. ST/R004056/1 (Ernest Rutherford Fellowship - Gaffney), and No. ST/T004797/1 (Ernest Rutherford Fellowship - Sharp)], the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Nuclear Physics, under Contracts No. DE-AC02-06CH11357 (ANL) and No. DE-SC-0014552 (UConn), the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No. 654002 (ENSAR2), the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 665779, the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium), the European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013)/ERC Grant Agreement No. 617156, and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under Grants No. PGC2018-095640- B-I00“ELEGANT” and No. PID2019-104390GB-I00. This research used targets provided by the Center for Accelerator Target Science at Argonne National Laboratory. The FSU shell-model calculations were performed using the computational facility of the nuclear physics theory group, Florida State University, supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science (DE-SC-0009883 (FSU).

Author(s): Salathe, M; Crawford, HL; Macchiavelli, AO; Kay, BP; Hoffman, CR; Ayangeakaa, AD; Campbell, CM; Clark, RM; Cromaz, M; Fallon, P; Jones, MD; Kuvin, SA; Sethi, J; Wiedeking, M; Winkelbauer, JR; Wuosmaa, AH | Abstract: The excitation energy of deformed intruder states (specifically the 2p2h bandhead) as a function of proton number Z along N=20 is of interest both in terms of better understanding the evolution of nuclear structure between spherical Ca40 and the Island of Inversion nuclei, and for benchmarking theoretical descriptions in this region. At the center of the N=20 Island of Inversion, the npnh (where n=2,4,6) neutron excitations across a diminished N=20 gap result in deformed and collective ground states, as observed in Mg32. In heavier isotones, npnh excitations do not dominate in the ground states but are present in the relatively low-lying level schemes. With the aim of identifying the expected 2p2h - s1/2+ state in P35, the only N=20 isotone for which the neutron 2p2h excitation bandhead has not yet been identified, the S36(d,He3)P35 reaction has been revisited in inverse kinematics with the HELical Orbit Spectrometer (HELIOS) at the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS). While a candidate state has not been located, an upper limit for the transfer reaction cross section to populate such a configuration within a 2.5 to 3.6 MeV energy range provides a stringent constraint on the wave function compositions in both S36 and P35.

Spectroscopic factors to low-lying negative-parity states in $^{11}$Be extracted from the $^{12}$B($d$,$^3$He)$^{11}$Be proton-removal reaction are interpreted within the rotational model. Earlier predictions of the $p$-wave proton removal strengths in the strong coupling limit of the Nilsson model underestimated the spectroscopic factors to the $3/2^-_1$ and $5/2^-_1$ states and suggested that deviations in the $1^+$ ground state of the odd-odd $^{12}$B due to Coriolis coupling should be further explored. In this work we use the Particle Rotor Model to take into account these effects and obtain a good description of the level scheme in $^{11}$B, with a moderate $K$-mixing of the proton Nilsson levels [110]1/2 and [101]3/2. This mixing, present in the $1^+$ bandhead of $^{12}$B, is key to explaining the proton pickup data., 5 Pages, 2 Figures, to be submitted to Phys. Rev. C

Detailed spectroscopy of the neutron-unbound nucleus 28 F has been performed for the first time following proton/neutron removal from 29 Ne / 29 F beams at energies around 230 MeV / nucleon . The invariant-mass spectra were reconstructed for both the 27 F ( * ) + n and 26 F ( * ) + 2 n coincidences and revealed a series of well-defined resonances. A near-threshold state was observed in both reactions and is identified as the 28 F ground state, with S n ( 28 F ) = − 199 ( 6 ) keV , while analysis of the 2 n decay channel allowed a considerably improved S n ( 27 F ) = 1620 ( 60 ) keV to be deduced. Comparison with shell-model predictions and eikonal-model reaction calculations have allowed spin-parity assignments to be proposed for some of the lower-lying levels of 28 F . Importantly, in the case of the ground state, the reconstructed 27 F + n momentum distribution following neutron removal from 29 F indicates that it arises mainly from the 1 p 3 / 2 neutron intruder configuration. This demonstrates that the island of inversion around N = 20 includes 28 F , and most probably 29 F , and suggests that 28 O is not doubly magic.

Excited states in $^{160}\mathrm{Gd}$ were populated via $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay from the low- and high-spin isomers in $^{160}\mathrm{Eu}$. The high-spin, ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={5}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state feeds several two-quasiparticle levels, as well as a sequence associated with a $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ vibration and a ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={4}^{+}$, hexadecapole vibrational structure. The decay scheme was significantly improved with the observation of new transitions and states when compared with the two competing level schemes from over four decades ago. Configuration assignments for some of the multiquasiparticle levels have been suggested, based upon decay properties, systematics from neighboring nuclei, and comparisons with theoretical calculations. In addition, 15 new low-spin states and approximately 60 new transitions were observed resulting from the decay of the low-spin $^{160}\mathrm{Eu}$ isomer.

The nuclei below lead but with more than 126 neutrons are crucial to an understanding of the astrophysical r process in producing nuclei heavier than A∼190. Despite their importance, the structure and properties of these nuclei remain experimentally untested as they are difficult to produce in nuclear reactions with stable beams. In a first exploration of the shell structure of this region, neutron excitations in ^{207}Hg have been probed using the neutron-adding (d,p) reaction in inverse kinematics. The radioactive beam of ^{206}Hg was delivered to the new ISOLDE Solenoidal Spectrometer at an energy above the Coulomb barrier. The spectroscopy of ^{207}Hg marks a first step in improving our understanding of the relevant structural properties of nuclei involved in a key part of the path of the r process. ispartof: Physical Review Letters vol:124 issue:6 ispartof: location:United States status: published

Low-lying negative-parity states in $^{11}\mathrm{Be}$ having dominant $p$-wave neutron configurations were studied using the $^{12}\mathrm{B}(d,^{3}\mathrm{He})\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{11}\mathrm{Be}$ proton-removal reaction in inverse kinematics. The $1/{2}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state at 0.32 MeV, the $3/{2}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state at 2.56 MeV, and one or both of the states including the $5/{2}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ level at 3.89 MeV and the $3/{2}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ level at 3.96 MeV were populated in the present reaction. Spectroscopic factors were determined from the differential cross sections using a distorted wave Born approximation method. The $p$-wave proton removal strengths were well described by the shell model calculations while the Nilsson model calculation underestimates the spectroscopic factors for the higher excited states. Results from both variational Monte Carlo and no-core shell-model calculations were also compared with the experimental observations.

A high-count-rate ionization chamber design with position-sensitivity has been developed and deployed at several accelerator facilities. Counting rates of ≥ 500 kHz with good Z -separation (up to 5% energy resolution) for particle identification have been demonstrated in a series of commissioning experiments. A position-sensitive capability, with a resolution of 3 mm, has been implemented for the first time to record position information and suppress pileup. The design and performance of the detectors are described.

The structure of 71Zn was investigated by one-neutron transfer and heavy-ion induced complex (deep-inelastic) reactions using the GRETINA-CHICO2 and the Gammasphere setups, respectively. The observed inversion between the 9/2+ and 1/2− states is explained in terms of the role of neutron pairing correlations. Non-collective sequences of levels were delineated above the 9/2+ isomeric state. These are interpreted as being associated with a modest oblate deformation in the framework of Monte-Carlo shell-model calculations carried out with the A3DA-m Hamiltonian in the p f g 9 / 2 d 5 / 2 valence space. Similarities with the structure of Ni 40 28 68 were observed and the shape-coexistence mechanism in the N = 40 region of neutron-rich nuclei is discussed in terms of the so-called Type-II shell evolution, with an emphasis on proton–neutron correlations between valence nucleons, especially those involving the shape-driving g 9 / 2 neutron orbital.

A large number of (α,p)(α,p) and (α,n)(α,n) reactions are known to play a fundamental role in nuclear astrophysics. This work presents a novel technique to study these reactions with the active target system MUSIC whose segmented anode allows the investigation of a large energy range of the excitation function with a single beam energy. In order to verify the method, we performed direct measurements of the previously measured reactions 17O (α,n)(α,n)20Ne, 23Na (α,p)(α,p)26Mg, and 23Na (α,n)(α,n)26Al. These reactions were investigated in inverse kinematics using 4He gas in the detector to study the excitation functions in the energy range of about 2–6 MeV in the center of mass. We found good agreement between the cross sections of the 17O (α,n)(α,n)20Ne reaction measured in this work and previous measurements. Furthermore we have successfully performed a simultaneous measurement of the 23Na (α,p)(α,p)26Mg and 23Na (α,n)(α,n)26Al reactions.

The 22Ne($ \alpha$, n) reaction is expected to provide the dominant neutron source for the weak s process in massive stars and intermediate-mass (IM) Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars. However, the production of neutrons in such environments is hindered by the competing 22Ne($\alpha$,$\gamma$)26Mg reaction. Here, the 11B(16O,p) fusion-evaporation reaction was used to identify $\gamma$-decay transitions from 22Ne + $\alpha$ resonant states in 26Mg. Spin-parity restrictions have been placed on a number of $ \alpha$-unbound excited states in 26 Mg and their role in the 22Ne($\alpha$,$\gamma$)26Mg reaction has been investigated. In particular, a suspected natural-parity resonance at Ec.m. = 557(3) keV, that lies above the neutron threshold in 26Mg, and is known to exhibit a strong $ \alpha$-cluster character, was observed to $ \gamma$ decay. Furthermore, a known resonance at $ E_{c.m.} = 466(4)$ keV has been definitively assigned 2+ spin and parity. Consequently, uncertainties in the 22Ne($ \alpha$,$ \gamma$) stellar reaction rate have been reduced by a factor of ∼ 20 for temperatures ∼ 0.2 GK.

We report the first observation of the ^{108}Xe→^{104}Te→^{100}Sn α-decay chain. The α emitters, ^{108}Xe [E_{α}=4.4(2) MeV, T_{1/2}=58_{-23}^{+106} μs] and ^{104}Te [E_{α}=4.9(2) MeV, T_{1/2}

As zirconium gains neutrons, its nucleus morphs in shape---changing from a soccer ball to an American football---and researchers have found the exact moment of the transition.

Yrast and near-yrast levels up to an I=17ℏ spin value and a 6-MeV excitation energy have been delineated in the “two-neutron” 210Pb nucleus following deep-inelastic reactions involving 208Pb targets and a number of heavy-ion beams at energies ∼25% above the Coulomb barrier. The level scheme was established on the basis of multifold prompt and delayed coincidence relationships measured with the Gammasphere array. In addition to the previously known states, many new levels were identified. For most of the strongly populated states, spin-parity assignments are proposed on the basis of angular distributions. The reinvestigation of the ν(g9/2)2, 8+ isomeric decay results in the firm identification of the low-energy E2 transitions involved in the 8+→6+→4+ cascade, and in a revised 6+ level half-life of 92(10) ns, nearly a factor of 2 longer than previously measured. Among the newly identified states figure spin I=4–10ℏ levels associated with the νg9/2i11/2 multiplet, as well as yrast states involving νg9/2j15/2, νi11/2j15/2, and ν(j15/2)2 neutron couplings. The highest-spin excitations are understood as 1p−1h core excitations and the yrast population is found to be fragmented to the extent that levels of spin higher than I=17ℏ could not be reached. Four E3 transitions are present in the 210Pb yrast decay; three of these involve the g9/2→j15/2 octupole component, as reflected in the 21(2) and >10 Weisskopf unit enhancements of the B(E3) rates of the first two. The fourth, 16+→13−E3 transition corresponds to the 3− core octupole excitation built on the νi11/2j15/2 state, in analogy to a similar E3 coupling to the νj15/2 level in 209Pb. Shell-model calculations performed for two-neutron states and 1p−1h 208Pb core excitations are in good agreement with the data. Evidence was found for the existence of a hitherto unknown high-spin β-decaying isomer in 210Tl. Shell-model calculations of the 210Tl levels suggest the possibility of a 11+ long-lived, β-decaying state, and the delayed yields observed in various reactions fit rather well with a 210Tl assignment.

The single-neutron configurations of several low-lying states in $^{22}\mathrm{F}$ have been determined from neutron-adding cross sections of a ($d,p$) reaction using a $^{21}\mathrm{F}$ radioactive beam in inverse kinematics. Final states in $^{22}\mathrm{F}$ consisting of a proton in the $\ensuremath{\pi}0{d}_{5/2}$ orbital coupled to a neutron in either the $\ensuremath{\nu}0{d}_{5/2}$, $\ensuremath{\nu}1{s}_{1/2}$, or $\ensuremath{\nu}0{d}_{3/2}$ orbitals were observed up to an excitation energy of $\ensuremath{\sim}5$ MeV. Spectroscopic factors and strengths were determined from the angular distribution of the cross sections using a distorted wave Born approximation method. The distribution of the $\ensuremath{\nu}0{d}_{5/2}$ and $\ensuremath{\nu}1{s}_{1/2}$ strength was well described by all USD effective shell model interactions, while only the more recent USDA/USDB interactions showed a marked improvement in describing the observed $\ensuremath{\nu}0{d}_{3/2}$ strength. Diagonal two-body matrix elements of the ${(0{d}_{5/2})}_{J=0--5}^{2}$ effective nucleon-nucleon interaction were extracted from the data and compared with previous determinations of the same matrix elements from particle-particle and hole-hole spectra, as well as the calculated results of the USDA interactions. No significant discrepancies were observed. Inspection of the monopole energies showed that an improved agreement between the different empirical matrix elements is found if a mass dependence is included.

A sequence of low-energy levels in _{32}^{78}Ge_{46} has been identified with spins and parity of 2^{+}, 3^{+}, 4^{+}, 5^{+}, and 6^{+}. Decays within this band proceed strictly through ΔJ=1 transitions, unlike similar sequences in neighboring Ge and Se nuclei. Above the 2^{+} level, members of this sequence do not decay into the ground-state band. Moreover, the energy staggering of this sequence has the phase that would be expected for a γ-rigid structure. The energies and branching ratios of many of the levels are described well by shell-model calculations. However, the calculated reduced transition probabilities for the ΔJ=2 in-band transitions imply that they should have been observed, in contradiction with the experiment. Within the calculations of Davydov, Filippov, and Rostovsky for rigid-triaxial rotors with γ=30°, there are sequences of higher-spin levels connected by strong ΔJ=1 transitions which decay in the same manner as those observed experimentally, yet are calculated at too high an excitation energy.

In massive stars, the $^{41}\mathrm{Ca}(n,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{38}\mathrm{Ar}$ and $^{41}\mathrm{K}(p,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{38}\mathrm{Ar}$ reactions have been identified as the key reactions governing the abundance of $^{41}\mathrm{Ca}$, which is considered as a potential chronometer for solar system formation. So far, due to experimental limitations, the $^{41}\mathrm{Ca}(n,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{38}\mathrm{Ar}$ reaction rate is solely based on statistical model calculations. In the present study, we have measured the time-inverse $^{38}\mathrm{Ar}(\ensuremath{\alpha},n)^{41}\mathrm{Ca}$ and $^{38}\mathrm{Ar}(\ensuremath{\alpha},p)^{41}\mathrm{K}$ reactions using an active target detector. The reactions were studied in inverse kinematics using a 133-MeV $^{38}\mathrm{Ar}$ beam and $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ as the active-gas target. Both excitation functions were measured simultaneously in the energy range of $6.8\ensuremath{\le}{E}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}\ensuremath{\le}9.3$ MeV. Using detailed balance the $^{41}\mathrm{Ca}(n,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{38}\mathrm{Ar}$ and $^{41}\mathrm{K}(p,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{38}\mathrm{Ar}$ reaction rates were determined, which suggested a 20% increase in the $^{41}\mathrm{Ca}$ yield from massive stars.

The structure of deformed neutron-rich nuclei in the rare-earth region is of significant interest for both the astrophysics and nuclear structure fields. At present, a complete explanation for the observed peak in the elemental abundances at $A\ensuremath{\sim}160$ eludes astrophysicists, and models depend on accurate quantities, such as masses, lifetimes, and branching ratios of deformed neutron-rich nuclei in this region. Unusual nuclear structure effects are also observed, such as the unexpectedly low energies of the first ${2}^{+}$ levels in some even-even nuclei at $N=98$. In order to address these issues, mass and $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay spectroscopy measurements of the $^{160}{\mathrm{Eu}}_{97}$ and $^{162}{\mathrm{Eu}}_{99}$ nuclei were performed at the Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade radioactive beam facility at Argonne National Laboratory. Evidence for a gap in the single-particle neutron energies at $N=98$ and for large deformation (${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{2}\ensuremath{\sim}0.3$) is discussed in relation to the unusual phenomena observed at this neutron number.

A beam containing a substantial component of both the J^{π}=5^{+}, T_{1/2}=162 ns isomeric state of ^{18}F and its 1^{+}, 109.77-min ground state is utilized to study members of the ground-state rotational band in ^{19}F through the neutron transfer reaction (d,p) in inverse kinematics. The resulting spectroscopic strengths confirm the single-particle nature of the 13/2^{+} band-terminating state. The agreement between shell-model calculations using an interaction constructed within the sd shell, and our experimental results reinforces the idea of a single-particle-collective duality in the descriptions of the structure of atomic nuclei.

Reaction rates involving α-particles are known to be important in different astrophysical scenarios. Direct measurements of these reactions at relevant astrophysical energies are experimentally challenging. This is due to the typically small cross sections of these reactions and the experimental difficulties associated with low intensity radioactive beams needed to study them. As a consequence, most of these reaction rates are still unknown. The MUlti-Sampling Ionization Chamber (MUSIC) detector, a simple and highly efficient active target system, has been developed for measurements of (α, n) and (α, p) reactions. Recent results on the direct measurement of (α, p) and (α, n) reactions in the MUSIC detector and future possibilities are presented in this work.

Fast-rotating N = 151 isotones 245 Pu, 247 Cm and 249 Cf have been studied through inelastic excitation and transfer reactions with radioactive targets. While all have a ground-state band built on a ν j 15 / 2 [ 734 ] 9 / 2 − Nilsson configuration, new excited bands have also been observed in each isotone. These odd- N excited bands allow a comparison of the alignment behavior for two different configurations, where the ν j 15 / 2 alignment is either blocked or allowed. The effect of higher order deformations is explored through cranking calculations, which help clarify the elusive nature of ν j 15 / 2 alignments.

Background: The $^{31}\mathrm{S}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{32}\mathrm{Cl}$ reaction becomes important for sulfur production in novae if the $^{31}\mathrm{P}(p,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{28}\mathrm{Si}$ reaction rate is somewhat greater than currently accepted. The rate of the $^{31}\mathrm{S}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{32}\mathrm{Cl}$ reaction is uncertain, primarily due to the properties of resonances at ${E}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}=156$ and 549 keV.Purpose: We precisely determined the excitation energies of states in $^{32}\mathrm{Cl}$ through high-resolution $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ spectroscopy including the two states most important for the $^{31}\mathrm{S}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{32}\mathrm{Cl}$ reaction at nova temperatures.Method: Excited states in $^{32}\mathrm{Cl}$ were populated using the $^{10}\mathrm{B}(^{24}\mathrm{Mg},2n)\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{32}\mathrm{Cl}$ reaction with a $^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$ beam from the ATLAS facility at Argonne National Laboratory. The reaction channel of interest was selected using recoils in the Fragment Mass Analyzer, and precise level energies were determined by detecting $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays with Gammasphere.Results: We observed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays from the decay of six excited states in $^{32}\mathrm{Cl}$. The excitation energies for two unbound levels at ${E}_{x}=1738.1$ (6) keV and 2130.5 (10) keV were determined and found to be in agreement with a previous high-precision measurement of the $^{32}\mathrm{S}(^{3}\mathrm{He},t)^{32}\mathrm{Cl}$ reaction [1].Conclusions: An updated $^{31}\mathrm{S}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{32}\mathrm{Cl}$ reaction rate is presented. With the excitation energies of important levels firmly established, the dominant uncertainty in the reaction rate at nova temperatures is due to the strength of the resonance corresponding to the 2131-keV state in $^{32}\mathrm{Cl}$.

The existence of $^{26}\mathrm{Al}$ (${t}_{1/2}=7.17\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{yr}$) in the interstellar medium provides a direct confirmation of ongoing nucleosynthesis in the Galaxy. The presence of a low-lying ${0}^{+}$ isomer (${^{26}\mathrm{Al}}^{m}$), however, severely complicates the astrophysical calculations. We present for the first time a study of the ${^{26}\mathrm{Al}}^{m}(d,p)^{27}\mathrm{Al}$ reaction using an isomeric $^{26}\mathrm{Al}$ beam. The selectivity of this reaction allowed the study of $\ensuremath{\ell}=0$ transfers to $T=1/2$, and $T=3/2$ states in $^{27}\mathrm{Al}$. Mirror symmetry arguments were then used to constrain the ${^{26}\mathrm{Al}}^{m}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})^{27}\mathrm{Si}$ reaction rate and provide an experimentally determined upper limit of the rate for the destruction of isomeric $^{26}\mathrm{Al}$ via radiative proton capture reactions, which is expected to dominate the destruction path of ${^{26}\mathrm{Al}}^{m}$ in asymptotic giant branch stars, classical novae, and core collapse supernovae.

Excited states in Re186 with spins up to J=12 were investigated in two separate experiments using W186(d,2n) reactions at beam energies of 12.5 and 14.5 MeV. Two- and threefold γ-ray coincidence data were collected using the CAESAR and CAGRA spectrometers, respectively, each composed of Compton-suppressed high-purity germanium detectors. Analysis of the data revealed rotational bands built on several two-quasiparticle intrinsic states, including a long-lived Kπ=(8+) isomer. Configuration assignments were supported by an analysis of in-band properties, such as gK-gR values. The excitation energies of the observed intrinsic states were compared with results from multi-quasiparticle blocking calculations, based on the Lipkin-Nogami pairing approach, that included contributions from the residual proton-neutron interactions.

International audience; The 12C+12C fusion reaction is one of the most important for nuclear astrophysics since it determines the carbon ignition in stellar environments. Two experiments which make use of the gamma-particle coincidence technique to measure the 12C+12C S-factors at deep sub barrier energies are discussed. Results are presented showing a decrease of the S-factor below Ec.m. = 3 MeV.

The nucleus ${}^{208}$Pb provides an iconic test of the nuclear shell model because its 82 protons and 126 neutrons are both magic numbers. When excited levels are discovered and characterized, this nucleus provides a means to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the generation of angular momentum and, ultimately, for the development of collectivity. This experiment is a tour de force that reveals extensive new information on ${}^{208}$Pb about high-angular-momentum states, isomeric states, and collective states of octupole nature; thus it serves as a showcase for shell-model descriptions. Many of the states explored show good overall agreement with theory, but others at the highest energies reveal discrepancies, pointing to the need for improved calculations. Above the highest-lying ${28}^{-}$ isomer $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ transitions arising from yet higher spin levels could be identified in two separate experiments as displayed in the figure.

The apparent splitting between orbitals that are spin-orbit partners can be substantially influenced by the effects of finite binding. In particular, such effects can account for the observed decrease in separation of the neutron $1p_{3/2}$ and $1p_{1/2}$ orbitals between the $^{41}$Ca and $^{35}$Si isotopes. This behavior has been the subject of recent experimental and theoretical works and cited as evidence for a proton "bubble" in $^{34}$Si causing an explicit weakening of the spin-orbit interaction. The results reported here suggest that the change in the separation between the $1p_{3/2}$ and $1p_{1/2}$ partners occurs dominantly because of the behavior of the energies of these $1p$ neutron states near zero binding., 4 pages, 3 figures

International audience; Neutron-rich isotopes are an important source of new information on nuclear physics. Specifically, the spin-isospin components in the nucleon-nucleon (NN) interaction, e.g., the proton-neutron tensor force, are expected to modify shell structure in exotic nuclei. These potential changes in the intrinsic shell structure are of fundamental interest. The study of the excitation energy of states corresponding to specific configurations in even-even isotopes, together with the single-particle character of the first excited states of odd-A, neutron-rich Ni isotopes, probes the evolution of the neutron orbitals around the Fermi surface as a function of the neutron number a step forward in the understanding of the region and the nature of the NN interaction at large N/Z ratios. In an experiment carried out at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory [1], new spectroscopic information was obtained for 68Ni and the distribution of single-particle strengths in 67,69Ni was characterized by means of single-neutron knockout from 68,70Ni secondary beams. The spectroscopic strengths, deduced from the measured partial cross sections to the individual states tagged by their de-exciting gamma rays, is used to identify and quantify configurations that involve neutron excitations across the N = 40 harmonic oscillator shell closure. The de-excitation γ rays were measured with the GRETINA tracking array [2]. The results challenge the validity of the most current shell-model Hamiltonians and effective interactions, highlighting shortcomings that cannot yet be explained. These results suggest that our understanding of the low-energy states in such nuclei is not complete and requires further investigation.

The octupole strength present in the neutron-rich, radiocative nucleus $^{146}$Ba has been experimentally determined for the first time using Coulomb excitation. To achieve this, $A$=146 fission fragments from CARIBU were post-accelerated by the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) and impinged on a thin $^{208}$Pb target. Using the GRETINA $\gamma$-ray spectrometer and the CHICO2 heavy-ion counter, the reduced transition probability $B(E3;3^-$$\rightarrow$$0^+)$ was determined as 48($^{+21}_{-29}$) W.u. The new result provides further experimental evidence for the presence of a region of octupole deformation surrounding the neutron-rich barium isotopes.

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.

Carbon burning plays a crucial role in stellar evolution, where this reaction is an important route for the production of heavier elements. A particle-γ coincidence technique that minimizes the backgrounds to which this reaction is subject and provides reliable cross sections has been used at the Argonne National Laboratory to measure fusion cross-sections at deep sub-barrier energies in the 12 C+12 C system. The corresponding excitation function has been extracted down to a cross section of about 6 nb. This indicates the existence of a broad S-factor maximum for this system. Experimental results are presented and discussed.

Moving toward an understanding of nuclei at the threshold of nuclear binding is a major theme of contemporary experimental and theoretical nuclear physics. The challenge to the former is to probe nuclei at the limits of existence requiring a variety of different techniques such as nucleon transfer, nucleon knockout, and Coulomb dissociation, and so on. And to the latter, a question of framing the problem: What role does finite binding play? What role does the continuum play? How can the action of these effects be isolated when interpreting the experimental data? Is it even possible to disentangle these?

The $^{23}\mathrm{Na}(\ensuremath{\alpha},p)^{26}\mathrm{Mg}$ and $^{23}\mathrm{Na}(\ensuremath{\alpha},n)^{26}\mathrm{Al}$ reactions are important for our understanding of the $^{26}\mathrm{Al}$ abundance in massive stars. The aim of this work is to report on a direct and simultaneous measurement of these astrophysically important reactions using an active target system. The reactions were investigated in inverse kinematics using $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ as the active target gas in the detector. We measured the excitation functions in the energy range of about 2 to 6 MeV in the center of mass. We have found that the cross sections of the $^{23}\mathrm{Na}(\ensuremath{\alpha},p)^{26}\mathrm{Mg}$ and the $^{23}\mathrm{Na}(\ensuremath{\alpha},n)^{26}\mathrm{Al}$ reactions are in good agreement with previous experiments and with statistical-model calculations. The astrophysical reaction rate of the $^{23}\mathrm{Na}(\ensuremath{\alpha},n)^{26}\mathrm{Al}$ reaction has been reevaluated and it was found to be larger than the recommended rate.

Properties of neutron-rich nuclei in the A˜160 region are important for achieving a better understanding of the nuclear structure in this region where little is known owing to diffculties in the production of these nuclei at the present nuclear physics facilities. These properties are essential ingredients in the interpretation of the rareearth peak at A˜160 in the r process abundance distribution, since theoretical models are sensitive to nuclear structure input. Predicated on these ideas, we have initiated a new experimental program at Argonne National Laboratory. During the first experiment, beams from the Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade radioactive beam facility were used in conjunction with the SATURN decay station and the X-array. We focused initially on several odd-odd nuclei, where β decays of both the ground state and an excited isomer were investigated. Because of the spin difference, a variety of structures in the daughter nuclei were selectively populated and characterized based on their decay properties. Mass measurements using the Canadian Penning Trap aimed at establishing the excitation energy of the β-decaying isomers were also carried out. Evidence was found for a change in the single-particle structure, which in turn results in the formation of a sizable N=98 sub-shell gap at large deformation. Results from the first experimental campaign using the newly-commissioned β-decay station at Gammasphere are also presented.

New, low-lying levels in the odd-odd, N=Z nucleus 62Ga have been identified using a sensitive technique, where in-beam γ rays from short-lived nuclei are tagged with β decays following recoil mass identification. A comparison of the results with shell-model and IBM-4 calculations demonstrates good agreement between theory and experiment, with the majority of predicted low-lying, low-spin T=0 states now identified. There is a dramatic change in the level density at low excitation energies for the N=Z nucleus 62Ga when compared with neighbouring odd-odd Ga isotopes where, in contrast, the low-lying level structure is dominated by configurations with T=1 pairing interactions between excess neutrons. This illustrates the distinctively different aspects of nuclear structure exhibited by nuclei with N=Z. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

The distribution of single-particle strength in 67,69Ni was characterized with one-neutron knockout reactions from intermediate-energy 68,70Ni secondary beams, selectively populating neutron-hole configurations at N = 39 and 41, respectively. The spectroscopic strengths deduced from the measured partial cross sections to the individual final states, as tagged by their γ-ray decays, are used to identify and quantify neutron configurations in the wave functions. While 69Ni compares well to shell-model predictions, the results for 67Ni challenge the validity of current effective shell-model Hamiltonians by revealing discrepancies that cannot be explained so far. These results suggest that our understanding of the low-lying states in the neutron-rich, semi-magic Ni isotopes may be incomplete and requires further investigation on both the experimental and theoretical sides.

{\bf Background:} Level sequences of rotational character have been observed in several nuclei in the $A=60$ mass region. The importance of the deformation-driving $\pi f_{7/2}$ and $\nu g_{9/2}$ orbitals on the onset of nuclear deformation is stressed.\\ {\bf Purpose:} A measurement was performed in order to identify collective rotational structures in the relatively neutron-rich $^{62}$Ni isotope. \\ {\bf Method:} The $^{26}$Mg($^{48}$Ca,2$\alpha$4$n\gamma$)$^{62}$Ni complex reaction at beam energies between 275 and 320~MeV was utilized. Reaction products were identified in mass ($A$) and charge ($Z$) with the Fragment Mass Analyzer (FMA) and $\gamma$ rays were detected with the Gammasphere array. \\ {\bf Results:} Two collective bands, built upon states of single-particle character, were identified and sizable deformation was assigned to both sequences based on the measured transitional quadrupole moments, herewith quantifying the deformation at high spin. \\ {\bf Conclusions:} Based on Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations and comparisons with deformed bands in the $A=60$ mass region, the two rotational bands are understood as being associated with configurations involving multiple $f_{7/2}$ protons and $g_{9/2}$ neutrons, driving the nucleus to sizable prolate deformation.

Here, the decay of a Kπ = 8– isomer in 244Pu and the collective band structures populating the isomer were studied using deep inelastic excitations with 47Ti and 208Pb beams, respectively. Precise measurements of M1/E2 branching ratios in the band confirm a 9/2–[734]νⓍ7/2+[624]ν configuration assignment for the isomer, validating the systematics of Kπ = 8–, two-quasineutron isomers observed in even-Z, N = 150 isotones. These isomers around the deformed shell gap at N = 152 provide critical benchmarks for theoretical predictions of single-particle energies in this gateway region to superheavy nuclei.

A survey of the available single-proton data in $A\ensuremath{\le}17$ nuclei was completed. These data, along with calculations using a Woods-Saxon potential, show that the ordering of the $0{d}_{5/2}$ and $1{s}_{1/2}$ proton orbitals are determined primarily by the proximity of the $s$-state proton energy to the Coulomb barrier. This is analogous to the dependence of the corresponding neutron orbitals in proximity to the neutron threshold, which was previously discussed.

The change in the configuration of valence protons between the initial and final states in the neutrinoless double-$\beta$ decay of $^{130}$Te $\rightarrow$ $^{130}$Xe and of $^{136}$Xe $\rightarrow$ $^{136}$Ba has been determined by measuring the cross sections of the ($d$,$^3$He) reaction with 101-MeV deuterons. Together with our recent determination of the relevant neutron configurations involved in the process, a quantitative comparison with the latest shell-model and interacting-boson-model calculations reveals significant discrepancies. These are the same calculations used to determine the nuclear matrix elements governing the rate of neutrinoless double-$\beta$ decay in these systems.

International audience; Superheavy nuclei exist solely due to quantum shell effects,which create a pocket in the potential-energy surface of the nucleus, thusproviding a barrier against spontaneous fission. Determining the height ofthe fission barrier and its angular-momentum dependence is important toquantify the role that microscopic shell corrections play in enhancing andextending the limits of nuclear stability. In this talk, the first measurement ofa fission barrier in the very heavy nucleus 254No will be presented.

The neutron-rich nucleus $^{144}$Ba ($t_{1/2}$=11.5 s) is expected to exhibit some of the strongest octupole correlations among nuclei with mass numbers $A$ less than 200. Until now, indirect evidence for such strong correlations has been inferred from observations such as enhanced $E1$ transitions and interleaving positive- and negative-parity levels in the ground-state band. In this experiment, the octupole strength was measured directly by sub-barrier, multi-step Coulomb excitation of a post-accelerated 650-MeV $^{144}$Ba beam on a 1.0-mg/cm$^2$ $^{208}$Pb target. The measured value of the matrix element, $\langle 3_1^- \| \mathcal{M}(E3) \| 0_1^+ \rangle=0.65(^{+17}_{-23})$ $e$b$^{3/2}$, corresponds to a reduced $B(E3)$ transition probability of 48($^{+25}_{-34}$) W.u. This result represents an unambiguous determination of the octupole collectivity, is larger than any available theoretical prediction, and is consistent with octupole deformation., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, 1 table, Physical Review Letters 2016

The quadrupole collectivity of low-lying states and the anomalous behavior of the $0^+_2$ and $2^+_3$ levels in $^{72}$Ge are investigated via projectile multi-step Coulomb excitation with GRETINA and CHICO-2. A total of forty six $E2$ and $M1$ matrix elements connecting fourteen low-lying levels were determined using the least-squares search code, gosia. Evidence for triaxiality and shape coexistence, based on the model-independent shape invariants deduced from the Kumar-Cline sum rule, is presented. These are interpreted using a simple two-state mixing model as well as multistate mixing calculations carried out within the framework of the triaxial rotor model. The results represent a significant milestone towards the understanding of the unusual structure of this nucleus., Comment: 7 pages and 7 figures

Background: Neutron-rich, even-mass chromium and iron isotopes approaching neutron number $N=40$ have been important benchmarks in the development of shell-model effective interactions incorporating the effects of shell evolution in the exotic regime. Odd-mass manganese nuclei have received less attention, but provide important and complementary sensitivity to these interactions.Purpose: We report the observation of two new $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray transitions in $^{63}\mathrm{Mn}$, which establish the $(9/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ and $(11/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ levels on top of the previously known $(7/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ first-excited state. The lifetime for the $(7/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ and $(9/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ excited states were determined for the first time, while an upper limit could be established for the $(11/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ level.Method: Excited states in $^{63}\mathrm{Mn}$ have been populated in inelastic scattering from a $^{9}\mathrm{Be}$ target and in the fragmentation of $^{65}\mathrm{Fe}$. $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence relationships were used to establish the decay level scheme. A Doppler line-shape analysis for the Doppler-broadened $(7/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, $(9/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}(7/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}),$ and $(11/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}(9/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ transitions was used to determine (limits for) the corresponding excited-state lifetimes.Results: The low-lying level scheme and the excited-state lifetimes were compared with large-scale shell-model calculations using different model spaces and effective interactions in order to isolate important aspects of shell evolution in this region of structural change.Conclusions: While the theoretical $(7/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ and $(9/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ excitation energies show little dependence on the model space, the calculated lifetime of the $(7/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ level and calculated energy of the $(11/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ level reveal the importance of including the neutron ${g}_{9/2}$ and ${d}_{5/2}$ orbitals in the model space. The LNPS effective shell-model interaction provides the best overall agreement with the new data.

The near-term radioactive beam capabilities of ATLAS include radioactive beams produced in flight in a gas cell, or starting in the fall of 2009, re-accelerated beams of 252 Cf fission fragments provided by the new CARIBU injector. The availability of such exotic beams will allow for detailed studies of the single-particle aspects of nuclear structure in neutron-rich nuclei reaching out to the astrophysical r-process path by employing light-ion reactions in inverse kinematics. The HELIOS spectrometer is based on a new concept that is especially well suited for such studies. This concept was recently demonstrated using the reactions D (28 Si , p )29 Si with a (stable) 168 MeV 28 Si beam. Since then D (12 B , p )13 B , D (17 O , p )18 O , and D (15 C , p )16 C have been studied successfully. The combination of neutron-rich beams from CARIBU and the HELIOS spectrometer opens a fertile research area of precision studies of the single particle strengths and collective excitations in exotic nuclei, and is likely to have applications in other reactions as well.

Two isomers decaying by electromagnetic transitions with half-lives of 4.7(1.1) and 247(73) μs have been discovered in the heavy ^{254}Rf nucleus. The observation of the shorter-lived isomer was made possible by a novel application of a digital data acquisition system. The isomers were interpreted as the K^{π}=8^{-}, ν^{2}(7/2^{+}[624],9/2^{-}[734]) two-quasineutron and the K^{π}=16^{+}, 8^{-}ν^{2}(7/2^{+}[624],9/2^{-}[734])⊗8^{-}π^{2}(7/2^{-}[514],9/2^{+}[624]) four-quasiparticle configurations, respectively. Surprisingly, the lifetime of the two-quasiparticle isomer is more than 4 orders of magnitude shorter than what has been observed for analogous isomers in the lighter N=150 isotones. The four-quasiparticle isomer is longer lived than the ^{254}Rf ground state that decays exclusively by spontaneous fission with a half-life of 23.2(1.1) μs. The absence of sizable fission branches from either of the isomers implies unprecedented fission hindrance relative to the ground state.