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We present first preliminary results of a novel method for measuring independent isotopic fission yields (IIFYs) of spontaneous fission (SF) via direct mass measurements, at the FRS Ion Catcher (FRS-IC) at GSI. Fission products were generated from a 252Cf source installed in a cryogenic stopping cell, and were identified and counted with the multiple-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MR-TOF-MS) of the FRS-IC, utilizing well-established measurement and data analysis methods. The MR-TOF-MS resolves isobars unambiguously, even with limited statistics, and its non-scanning nature ensures minimal relative systematic uncertainties amongst fission products. The analysis for extracting IIFYs includes isotope-dependent efficiency corrections for all components of the FRS-IC. In particular, we applied a self-consistent technique that takes into account the element-dependent survival efficiencies in the CSC, due to chemical reactions with the buffer gas. Our IIFY results, which cover several tens of fission products in the less-accessible high-mass peak (Z = 56 to 63) down to fission yields at the level of 10−5, are generally similar to those of the nuclear database ENDF/B-VII.0. Nevertheless, they reveal some structures that are not observed in the database smooth trends. These are the first results of a planned campaign to investigate IIFY distributions of spontaneous fission at the FRS-IC. Upcoming experiments will extend our results to wider Z and N ranges, lower fission yields, and other spontaneously-fissioning actinides.

International audience; Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), based on primary ions within the MeV energy domain, also known as MeV-SIMS, is a subject of increasing scientific interest. The main drive for the interest in the development of MeV-SIMS is the ability to desorb high yields of large non-fragmented organic molecular ions from the sample surface. This makes MeV-SIMS particulary useful in imaging of biological tissues.Imaging methods based on scanning a focused primary ion beam are associated with demanding focusing of the heavy energetic ions. As an alternative, stigmatic imaging mode has been studied here, applying point-to-point imaging characteristics of secondary ions in the linear Time-Of-Flight mass spectrometer. In stigmatic imaging approaches, spatial resolution is independent of the focussed spot size of the ionising primary ion beam, but instead dependant on the ability of the ion optics to project an image of the ion distributions removed from the surface onto a position sensitive ion detector.

Mass measurements of the $^{69}$As, $^{70,71}$Se and $^{71}$Br isotopes, produced via fragmentation of a $^{124}$Xe primary beam at the FRS at GSI, have been performed with the multiple-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MR-TOF-MS) of the FRS Ion Catcher with an unprecedented mass resolving power of almost 1,000,000. For the $^{69}$As isotope, this is the first direct mass measurement. A mass uncertainty of 22 keV was achieved with only 10 events. For the $^{70}$Se isotope, a mass uncertainty of 2.6 keV was obtained, corresponding to a relative accuracy of $\delta$m/m = 4.0$\times 10^{-8}$, with less than 500 events. The masses of the $^{71}$Se and $^{71}$Br isotopes were measured with an uncertainty of 23 and 16 keV, respectively. Our results for the $^{70,71}$Se and $^{71}$Br isotopes agree with the 2016 Atomic Mass Evaluation, and our result for the $^{69}$As isotope resolves the discrepancy between previous indirect measurements. We measured also the mass of $^{14}$N$^{15}$N$^{40}$Ar (A=69) with a relative accuracy of $\delta$m/m = 1.7$\times 10^{-8}$, the highest yet achieved with a MR-TOF-MS. Our results show that the measured restrengthening of the proton-neutron interaction ($\delta$V$_{pn}$) for odd-odd nuclei at the N=Z line above Z=29 (recently extended to Z=37) is hardly evident at N-Z=2, and not evident at N-Z=4. Nevertheless, detailed structure of $\delta$V$_{pn}$ along the N-Z=2 and N-Z=4 lines, confirmed by our mass measurements, may provide a hint regarding the ongoing $\approx$500 keV discrepancy in the mass value of the $^{70}$Br isotope, which prevents including it in the world average of ${Ft}$-value for superallowed 0$^+\rightarrow$ 0$^+$ $\beta$ decays. The reported work sets the stage for mass measurements with the FRS Ion Catcher of nuclei at and beyond the N=Z line in the same region of the nuclear chart, including the $^{70}$Br isotope., Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication at Physical Review C

10th European Summer School on Experimental Nuclear Astrophysics , Catania, Italy, 16 Jun 2019 - 23 Jun 2019; The European physical journal / Web of Conferences 227, 02015 (2020). doi:10.1051/epjconf/202022702015, Published by EDP Sciences, Les Ulis

A compact portable aerosol sampling and measurement device was developed at Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI). A CeBr3 scintillation detector is positioned centrally within a concertinaed filter assembly. It provides continuous and via network communications on-line monitoring of low levels of airborne radioactive particulates. The evaluation of the response of the device to the natural background at controlled conditions with elevated radon concentrations, performed at the National Institute of Ionizing Radiation Metrology of ENEA, is presented.

Imaging Mass Spectroscopy (IMS) is a unique research tool providing localization and identification of a wide range of biomolecules as essential data to understand biochemical processes in living organisms. Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry with high-energy heavy ions (MeV-SIMS) is emerging as a promising IMS technique for chemical imaging of biological tissue.We measured the molecular mass spatial distributions in leaves of khat (Catha edulis). Khat is a natural drug plant, native to eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In these countries, fresh leaves are being chewed by significant part of population. It was reported that 80% of the adult population in Yemen chew the khat leaves. The main stimulating effects of khat are induced by a monoamine alkaloid called cathinone. During leaf ageing, cathinone is further metabolised to cathine and norephedrine. Earlier studies identified the alkaloids in khat, however little is known on their spatial distribution, reflecting the biosynthesis and accumulation in the tissue.Chemical mapping of alkaloids on cross-sections of khat leaves by MeV-SIMS was done at JSI by a pulsed 5.8 MeV Cl-35(6+) beam, focused to a diameter of 15 mu m, using a linear time-of-flight (TOF) spectrometer with a mass resolution of 500. In addition, measurements of MeV-SIMS mass spectra were performed at Kyoto University by a continuous broad beam of 6 MeV Cu-63(4+) ions at an orthogonal TOF spectrometer with a high mass resolution of 11,000. Sections of leaves were analysed and mass spectra obtained at both MeV-SIMS setups were compared. Tissue-level distributions of detected alkaloids are presented and discussed. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In the frame of the European metrological research project MetroERM, a compact portable aerosol sampling and measurement device was developed at Jožef Stefan Institute. The system incorporates a CeBr3 scintillation detector positioned centrally within a concertinaed filter assembly and an improved high flow rate air pump. It provides continuous on-line low level airborne radioactive particulate monitoring for field station use via 3 G network communications. The calibration of the device was performed at National Physical Laboratory (NPL) with filters, spiked with a certified mixed nuclide solution. Additionally first tests were performed in an environment with an elevated radon concentration.

The cross section for the 2H(p,$\gamma$)3He reaction was measured in the energy range E = 47–210 keV, relevant for primordial nucleosynthesis. A proton beam was incident on two deuterated titanium targets. The angular distribution of emitted $ \gamma$-rays was determined using two HPGe detectors, placed at $ 90^{\circ}$ and $ 135^{\circ}$ with respect to the incident beam direction. Results were compared with the latest ab initio theoretical calculation, including one- and many-body contributions. The predicted cross section and astrophysical S-factor are found to be in a very good agreement with measured values.

MeV-SIMS is an emerging mass spectrometry imaging method, which utilizes fast, heavy ions to desorb secondary molecules. High yields and low fragmentation rates of large molecules, associated with the electronic sputtering process, make it particularly useful in biomedical research, where insight into distribution of organic molecules is needed. Since the implementation of MeV-SIMS in to the micro-beam line at the tandem accelerator of Jožef Stefan Institute, MeV-SIMS provided some valuable observations on the distribution of biomolecules in plant tissue, as discussed by Jencic et al. (Nucl. Inst. Methods Phys. Res. B. 371, 205-210, 2016; Nucl. Inst. Methods Phys. Res. B. 404, 140-145, 2017). However, limited focusing ability of the chlorine ion beam only allowed imaging at the tissue level. In order to surpass shortcomings of the existing method, we introduced a new approach, where we employ a continuous, low-current primary beam. In this mode, we bombard thin samples with a steady chlorine ion flux of approx. 5000 ions/s. After desorbing molecules, chlorine ions penetrate through the thinly cut sample and trigger the time-of-flight "start" signal on a continuous electron multiplier detector, positioned behind the sample. Such bombardment is more effective than previously used pulsing-beam mode, which demanded several orders of magnitude higher primary ion beam currents. Sub-micrometer focusing of low-current primary ion beam allows imaging of biological tissue on a subcellular scale. Simultaneously, new time-of-flight acquisition approach also improves mass resolution by a factor of 5. Within the article, we compare the performance of both methods and demonstrate the application of continuous mode on biological tissue. We also describe the thin sample preparation protocol, necessary for measurements with low primary ion currents.

In this paper we propose a pulse shape based method for monitoring the interior temperature of a CsI(Tl) crystal in order to correct the temperature dependence in the energy calibration of the corresponding detector system. The gain dependence on temperature of the CsI(Tl) detector was measured using both, a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and an avalanche photodiode (APD) readout photosensor. The analysis shows that the gain shifts due to temperature variations can be corrected to a precision of better than 1% with both the PMT and the APD, well below the CsI(Tl) intrinsic energy resolution for ~1 MeV γ-rays.

When dealing with high count rate γ-ray spectrometry, the pile-up phenomenon is an important obstacle to high detection efficiency and good energy resolution. In traditional pulse processing piled-up events are rejected to preserve good energy resolution at the expense of detection efficiency. This is especially problematic in in-beam γ-ray spectrometry, where searching for coincidences between two different detection signals further accentuates the loss of efficiency. Consequently we want to detect as many events as possible and obtain the best possible energy resolution. We propose a method that reduces the number of piled-up events, using a parallel moving window deconvolution (MWD) block implementation where the shaping time parameter differs for every MWD block. With appropriate analysis logic we get more experimental information through reduced dead time, at the cost of controlled and selectively worsened energy resolution, on an event-by-event basis, thus achieving better overall detection efficiency. We tested our method on real experimental data for different count rates. At 500 kcps count rate the detection efficiency of our method is higher, by a factor of about 37, than the efficiency of a standard digital method commonly used in commercial systems with pile-up rejection.

The pile-up rejection in nuclear spectroscopy has been confronted recently by several pile-up correction schemes that compensate for distortions of the signal and subsequent energy spectra artifacts as the counting rate increases. We study here a real-time capability of the event-by-event correction method, which at the core translates to solving many sets of linear equations. Tight time limits and constrained front-end electronics resources make well-known direct solvers inappropriate. We propose a novel approach based on the Gauss-Seidel iterative method, which turns out to be a stable and cost-efficient solution to improve spectroscopic resolution in the front-end electronics. We show the method convergence properties for a class of matrices that emerge in calorimetric processing of scintillation detector signals and demonstrate the ability of the method to support the relevant resolutions. The sole iteration-based error component can be brought below the sliding window induced errors in a reasonable number of iteration steps, thus allowing real-time operation. An area-efficient hardware implementation is proposed that fully utilizes the method's inherent parallelism.

In digital nuclear calorimetry, the effect on measured pulse amplitudes by piling up of pulses can be compensated based on the pulses' respective timestamps, making use of the fact that, for stable pulse shapes, the amount of pile-up induced error at each pulse amplitude measurement is completely determined by the amplitudes and precise occurrences in time of the neighboring pulses. We propose here a compensation method, based on the above observation, suitable for real-time as well as off-line implementation. Successful tests performed off-line both on synthetic and experimental data are shown as a proof of principle. We further propose a draft architectural approach to real-time compensation schemes of this functionality and the corresponding interaction with the experimental controls. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Propagation of cosmic rays in intergalactic space has been simulated using the Monte Carlo technique. The measured cosmic ray spectrum is adequately reproduced in the energy range between 10 18 eV and the maximum measured energy of 3×10 20 eV assuming a uniform distribution of sources in the universe. The shape of the spectrum above the latter energy is also calculated predicting an additional ankle at 5×10 20 eV.

Reliable, autonomous, internally self-powered microfluidic pumps are in critical demand for rapid point-of-care (POC) devices, integrated molecular-diagnostic platforms, and drug delivery systems. Here we report on a Self-powered Imbibing Microfluidic Pump by Liquid Encapsulation (SIMPLE), which is disposable, autonomous, easy to use and fabricate, robust, and cost efficient, as a solution for self-powered microfluidic POC devices. The imbibition pump introduces the working liquid which is sucked into a porous material (paper) upon activation. The suction of the working liquid creates a reduced pressure in the analytical channel and induces the sequential sample flow into the microfluidic circuits. It requires no external power or control and can be simply activated by a fingertip press. The flow rate can be programmed by defining the shape of utilized porous material: by using three different paper shapes with circular section angles 20°, 40° and 60°, three different volume flow rates of 0.07 μL s(-1), 0.12 μL s(-1) and 0.17 μL s(-1) are demonstrated at 200 μm × 600 μm channel cross-section. We established the SIMPLE pumping of 17 μL of sample; however, the sample volume can be increased to several hundreds of μL. To demonstrate the design, fabrication, and characterization of SIMPLE, we used a simple, robust and cheap foil-laminating fabrication technique. The SIMPLE can be integrated into hydrophilic or hydrophobic materials-based microfluidic POC devices. Since it is also applicable to large-scale manufacturing processes, we anticipate that a new chapter of a cost effective, disposable, autonomous POC diagnostic chip is addressed with this technical innovation.

Excited states of nuclei near the doubly-magic nucleus Sn-100 were studied with the Ni-58+Cr-50 reaction. The experimental setup consisted of the GAMMASPHERE array augmented with light charged-particle and neutron detectors. Excited states were identified for the first time in the proton emitting nucleus Sb-105. Excitations across the N=Z=50 doubly closed shell were observed in Cd-99 and In-101. Some results of large-scale shell-model calculations are discussed.

In high count rate γ-ray spectrometry, the pile-up phenomenon turns out to be an important problem with respect to energy resolution and detection efficiency. Pile-up effects occur when two events are detected so close in time that instrumentation cannot properly extract information from both of them. Because this kind of data is incorrect and marginally useful, such data had to be rejected in traditional pulse processors. In times of digital pulse processing however, one can reconstruct piled-up pulse amplitudes by special algebraic approaches. In fully digital signal acquisition, the moving window deconvolution (MWD) method is commonly used. This method requires two parameters to be carefully set, namely the flattop time (dictated by the maximum rise time of the signal) and the shaping time, to accomplish the best possible energy resolution. In this way, the maximum energy resolution is accomplished, but a lot of piled-up events are rejected, reducing detection efficiency. We propose a method that restores some of the pile-up events, using a parallel block MWD implementation where the shaping time parameter differs for every MWD block. Careful detection of as many true events as possible, as well as determining their exact occurrence in time (their respective timestamps) is the key in getting the most out of the measured signal. With proper analysis logic we get more experimental information through reduced dead time, at the cost of controlled and selectively worsened energy resolution, on an event-by-event basis, achieving better overall detection efficiency. This method was tested on real experimental data where the detection efficiency of our method is higher, by a factor of 4.4(9), than the efficiency of a standard method with pile-up rejection at 500 kcps count rate.

In in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy experiments, we often look for coincident detection events. Among every N events detected, coincidence search is naively of principal complexity O(N2). When we limit the approximate width of the coincidence search window, the complexity can be reduced to O(N), permitting the implementation of the algorithm into real-time measurements, carried out indefinitely. We have built an algorithm to find simultaneous events between two detection channels. The algorithm was tested in an experiment where coincidences between X and γ rays detected in two HPGe detectors were observed in the decay of 61Cu. Functioning of the algorithm was validated by comparing calculated experimental branching ratio for EC decay and theoretical calculation for 3 selected γ-ray energies for 61Cu decay. Our research opened a question on the validity of the adopted value of total angular momentum of the 656 keV state (Jπ = 1/2−) in 61Ni.

Count rates in gamma-ray detectors are fundamentally limited at the high end by the physics of the detection process but should not be limited further by the design of read-out. Using intense stimuli, such as the ELI, it is desirable to extract the full wealth of information flow that sensors can deliver. We discuss the photon-statistical limitations of scintillation systems and charge-collection issues of solid-state detectors. With high-speed digitizing in particular, two promising approach architectures are those of posterior list mode corrections and of time-domain adaptive filters, introducing a "rich list mode with uncertainties" and thus a somewhat different look at experimental spectra. Real-time performance is also considered.

The 86Kr+238U reaction has been studied at krypton beam energies about 30 MeV above the Coulomb barrier. Reaction products were detected by an array of 32 photovoltaic cells coupled to the AFRODITE γ‐ray detector array at iThemba LABS. A symmetric fission component has been observed at about 600 MeV total kinetic energy. This could possibly be due to fusion‐fission with a cross section of 35±20 mb.

Due to the stochastic nature of the pulse creation in a scintillation detector the output pulses are not all of the same shape but rather 'noised' with statistical fluctuations on the pulse tails, which may induce false triggers. The current state of the art in solving this kind of problems is either introducing a deadtime after each pulse which makes the detector inefficient at higher count rates or raising the trigger threshold above the fluctuactions level, which on the other side, lowers the dynamic range of the detector from the low energy side. In order to meet the ever growing demand for high precision/efficient experiments the solutions to these limitations are highly desirable. We propose a new method, the adaptive triggering for scintillation signals.

High resolution spectra from fast proton radiative capture in {sup 208}Pb are presented for three energies of the incident protons: 14.8, 15.7, and 16.9 MeV. The collected spectra were analyzed with emphasis on the region of capture to unbound states in order to search for possible structure and to study the competition between two basically different phenomena: the statistical process versus the fluctuation effects in radiative capture to unbound final states. In the energy region of incoming protons considered in our experiment, the statistical processes modeled with a Hauser-Feshbach calculation dominate. The spectra of primary {gamma} rays, coincident with the low energy one from the decay of the f{sub 7/2} single-particle state, show a prominent structure which is predominantly of g{sub 9/2} character. The calculations of continuum spectra based on the extended direct-semidirect model and the Hauser-Feshbach statistical approach successfully reproduce the experimental data.

Gamma rays with energies up to 21 MeV were measured with Ge detectors. Such γ rays were produced in the 208Pb(p,γ)209Bi reaction. The position of the 2g9/2 single proton orbit in 209Bi has been determined indicating the size of the Z=126 shell gap.

Level schemes of Cd-99(48)51 and In-101(49)52 nuclei have been extended to high spin. The breakup of the doubly magic Sn-100 core has been observed. Large-scale shell model calculations based on realistic nucleon-nucleon interactions are in good agreement with the experimental data. These results provide a reliable basis to predict nuclear structure properties in Sn-100 and its neighbors. For example, the size of the N=50 shell gap and the energy of the first excited state in Sn-101 have been deduced.

Excited states in the proton emitter Sb-105 have been investigated for the first time. The nucleus was populated in the reaction Cr-50(Ni-58,1p2n). The GAMMASPHERE Ge-detector array was used together with Microball and the Neutron Shell for selection of the reaction channel. The experimental level scheme agrees well with results of a shell model calculation that uses realistic effective interactions derived from the CD-Bonn nucleon-nucleon interaction and Sn-100 as a closed-shell core.

Nuclei in the vicinity of the doubly-magic Sn-100 nucleus have been studied, and an extended level scheme for In-102 has been established. The level structure comprises both the negative parity states involving the nuh(11/2) orbital, and levels due to the breakup of the doubly-magic Sn-100 core. Results of a large-scale shell model calculation, using realistic and empirical effective interactions with Sr-88 as a core, are in very good agreement with the experimental data.

Using a 58Ni(46Ti, α2n) reaction, a total of 24 different residual nuclei were identified. Among them were 98Cd and 97Ag. The level scheme of 98Cd was extended to Jπ=(15+). An isomeric state at 6634 keV excitation energy was confirmed. This state decays by a 4207 keV transition feeding the known 8+ state. The level scheme of 97Ag was also extended to Jπ=(33/2+) and the half-lives of two isomeric states were measured. Experimental energies of the excited states were compared with the results of ab initio shell-model calculations based on a realistic two-nucleon interaction. The Gammasphere Ge array, coupled with the Microball and the Neutron Shell ancillary particle detectors, was used at the 88 inch cyclotron at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA.

High-energy γ rays produced by the 208 Pb ( p , γ) reaction were measured with the AFRODITE germanium detector array. The use of Ge instead of NaI detectors improved the energy resolution by more than a factor of 10 in the γ -ray energy range between 10 and 19 MeV. Proton captures into different single particles states in 209 Bi were thus clearly separated, most notably for the i 13/2 high-spin state. The measured excitation functions are in very good agreement with the predictions of the direct–semi-direct model, including captures to the i 13/2 state, for which the previous agreement had been poor.