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Among the known isotope effects in chemistry, electron spin conversion by nuclear spin is a potent mechanism governing the reactions of radical pairs. For the electron transfer between nonradical(s), this spin conversion does not work, and other isotope effects have been presumed to have negligible contributions. However, we have observed a nuclear-state-dependence anomaly in ion charge state distributions in the thermalization of energetic atomic ions in helium gas, the process between nonradical(s). It could be understood to arise from the change in the stability of the intermediate quasi-molecule state of the electron transfer caused by the difference in nuclear states. This should prompt a reconsideration of the influence of atomic nuclei on interatomic and intermolecular interactions., Comment: 12 pages of the main part and 4 pages of supplementary, 5 figures and 3 tables

$^{187}$Ta ($Z=73$, $N=114$) is located in the neutron-rich $A \approx 190$ region where a prolate-to-oblate shape transition via triaxial softness is predicted to take place. A preceding work on the $K^{\pi} = (25/2^-)$ isomer and a rotational band to which the isomer decays carried out by the same collaboration revealed that axial symmetry is slightly violated in this nucleus. This paper focuses on a higher-lying isomer, which was previously identified at 2933(14) keV by mass measurements with the Experimental Storage Ring at GSI. The isomer of interest has been populated by a multi-nucleon transfer reaction with a $^{136}$Xe primary beam incident on a natural tungsten target, using the KEK Isotope Separation System at RIKEN. New experimental findings obtained in the present paper include the internal and external $\beta$-decay branches from the high-spin isomer and a revised half-life of 136(24) s. The evaluated hindrances for $K$-forbidden transitions put constraints on the spin-parity assignment, which can be interpreted as being ascribed to a prolate shape with a five-quasiparticle configuration by model calculations., Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures

We report the mass measurements of neutron-rich isotopes produced via spontaneous fission of ${}^{252}$Cf using a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph. The mass of ${}^{155}$Ce is determined experimentally for the first time. A discrepancy between the experimental and literature values was found for the mass of ${}^{127}$Sb, which was previously deduced through indirect measurements. In comparison with several theoretical predictions, both the values and the trend of the mass excesses of ${}^{152-155}$Ce cannot be consistently explained. The wide-range and simultaneous mass measurements of the multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph enable us to cross-check the existing mass data, and the conflict between the measured time-of-flight ratio and the extracted mass would imply the necessity of reexamining them., Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables

We have measured the absolute doubly differential angular sputtering yield for 20 keV Kr+ impacting a polycrystalline Cu slab at an incidence angle of {\theta}i = 45{\deg} relative to the surface normal. Sputtered Cu atoms were captured using collectors mounted on a half dome above the sample, and the sputtering distribution was measured as a function of the sputtering polar, {\theta}s, and azimuthal, phi, angles. Absolute results of the sputtering yield were determined from the mass gain of each collector, the ion dose, and the solid angle subtended, after irradiation to a total fluence of ~ 1 x 10^18 ions/cm^2. Our approach overcomes shortcomings of commonly used methods that only provide relative yields as a function of {\theta}s in the incidence plane (defined by the ion velocity and the surface normal). Our experimental results display an azimuthal variation that increases with increasing {\theta}s and is clearly discrepant with simulations using binary collision theory. We attribute the observed azimuthal anisotropy to ion-induced formation of micro- and nano-scale surface features that suppress the sputtering yield through shadowing and redeposition effects, neither of which are accounted for in the simulations. Our experimental results demonstrate the importance of doubly differential angular sputtering studies to probe ion sputtering processes at a fundamental level and to explore the effect of ion-beam-generated surface roughness., Comment: 29 pages, 9 figures

Multi-nucleon transfer reaction between 136Xe beam and 198Pt target was performed using the VAMOS++ spectrometer at GANIL to study the structure of n-rich nuclei around N=126. Unambiguous charge state identification was obtained by combining two supervised machine learning methods, deep neural network (DNN) and positional correction using a gradient-boosting decision tree (GBDT). The new method reduced the complexity of the kinetic energy calibration and outperformed the conventional method, improving the charge state resolution by 8%

One of the critical longstanding issues in nuclear physics is the origin of the heavy elements such as platinum and uranium. The r-process hypothesis is generally supported as the process through which heavy elements are formed via explosive rapid neutron capture. Many of the nuclei involved in heavy-element synthesis are unidentified, short-lived, neutron-rich nuclei, and experimental data on their masses, half-lives, excited states, decay modes, and reaction rates with neutron etc., are incredibly scarce. The ultimate goal is to understand the origin of uranium. The nuclei along the pathway to uranium in the r-process are in "Terra Incognita". In principle, as many of these nuclides have more neutrons than 238U, this region is inaccessible via the in-flight fragmentation reactions and in-flight fission reactions used at the present major facilities worldwide. Therefore, the multi-nucleon transfer (MNT) reaction, which has been studied at the KEK Isotope Separation System (KISS), is attracting attention. However, in contrast to in-flight fission and fragmentation, the nuclei produced by the MNT reaction have characteristic kinematics with broad angular distribution and relatively low energies which makes them non-amenable to in-flight separation techniques. KISS-II would be the first facility to effectively connect production, separation, and analysis of nuclides along the r-process path leading to uranium. This will be accomplished by the use of a large solenoid to collect MNT products while rejecting the intense primary beam, a large helium gas catcher to thermalize the MNT products, and an MRTOF mass spectrograph to perform mass analysis and isobaric purification of subsequent spectroscopic studies. The facility will finally allow us to explore the neutron-rich nuclides in this Terra Incognita., Comment: Editors: Yutaka Watanabe and Yoshikazu Hirayama

The atomic masses of $^{55}$Sc, $^{56,58}$Ti, and $^{56-59}$V have been determined using the high-precision multi-reflection time-of-flight technique. The radioisotopes have been produced at RIKEN's RIBF facility and delivered to the novel designed gas cell and multi-reflection system (ZD MRTOF), which has been recently commissioned downstream of the ZeroDegree spectrometer following the BigRIPS separator. For $^{56,58}$Ti and $^{56-59}$V the mass uncertainties have been reduced down to the order of $10\,\mathrm{keV}$, shedding new light on the $N=34$ shell effect in Ti and V isotopes by the first high-precision mass measurements of the critical species $^{58}$Ti and $^{59}$V. With the new precision achieved, we reveal the non-existence of the $N=34$ empirical two-neutron shell gaps for Ti and V, and the enhanced energy gap above the occupied $\nu p_{3/2}$ orbit is identified as a feature unique to Ca. We perform new Monte Carlo shell model calculations including the $\nu d_{5/2}$ and $\nu g_{9/2}$ orbits and compare the results with conventional shell model calculations, which exclude the $\nu g_{9/2}$ and the $\nu d_{5/2}$ orbits. The comparison indicates that the shell gap reduction in Ti is related to a partial occupation of the higher orbitals for the outer two valence neutrons at $N=34$.

A newly assembled multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph (MRTOF-MS) at RIKEN's RIBF facility became operational for the first time in spring 2020; further modifications and performance tests using stable ions were completed in early 2021. By using a pulsed-drift-tube technique to modify the ions' kinetic energy in a wide range, we directly characterize the dispersion function of the system for use in a new procedure for optimizing the voltages applied to the electrostatic mirrors. Thus far, a mass resolving power of $R_m > 1\,000\,000$ is reached within a total time-of-flight of only $12.5\,\mathrm{ms}$, making the spectrometer capable of studying short-lived nuclei possessing low-lying isomers. Detailed information about the setup and measurement procedure is reported, and an alternative in-MRTOF ion selection scheme to remove molecular contaminants in the absence of a dedicated deflection device is introduced. The setup underwent an initial on-line commissioning at the BigRIPS facility at the end of 2020, where more than 70 nuclear masses have been measured. A summary of the commissioning experiments and results from a test of mass accuracy will be presented., Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures

De-excitation $\gamma $ rays associated with an isomeric state of $^{186}$Ta were investigated. The isomers were produced in multinucleon transfer reactions between a $^{136}$Xe beam and a natural W target, and were collected and separated by the KEK Isotope Separation System. Two $\gamma $ transitions with energies of 161.1(2) and 186.8(1) keV associated with an isomeric decay were observed for the first time. The half-life of the isomeric state of the neutral atom $^{186 \rm m}$Ta was deduced as 17(2) s. Based on the comparison with the previous measurements of the isomeric state using the ESR storage ring at GSI Darmstadt and the coupling of angular momenta of individual particle orbitals in odd-odd nuclei, a decay scheme of $^{186 \rm m}$Ta was proposed.

The atomic masses of the isotopes $^{206,207}$Ra have been measured via decay-correlated mass spectroscopy using a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph equipped with an $\alpha$-TOF detector. The Ra isotopes were produced as fusion-evaporation products in the $^{51}$V+$^{159}$Tb reaction system and delivered by the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II at RIKEN. The $\alpha$-TOF detector provides for high-accuracy mass measurements by correlating time-of-flight signals with subsequent $\alpha$-decay events. The masses of $^{206}$Ra and $^{207g,m}$Ra were directly measured using a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph equipped with an $\alpha$-TOF detector. A mass excess of ME = 3538(15) keV/c$^2$ and an excitation energy of E$_{\rm ex}$ = 552(42) keV were determined. The $\alpha$-decay branching ratio of $^{207m}$Ra, b$\alpha$ = 0.26(20), was directly determined from decay-correlated time-of-flight signals, and the reduced alpha width of $^{207m}$Ra was calculated to be $\delta^2$ = 50+62-41 keV from the branching ratio. The spin-parity of $^{207m}$Ra was confirmed to be $J^\pi$ = 13/2$^-$ from decay correlated mass measurement results.

We study the electron-loss-to-continuum (ELC) cusp experimentally and theoretically by comparing the ionization of U$^{89+}$ projectiles in collisions with N$_2$ and Xe targets, at a beam energy of 75.91 MeV/u. The coincidence measurement between the singly ionized projectile and the energy of the emitted electron is used to compare the shape of the ELC cusp at weak and strong perturbations. A significant energy shift for the centroid of the electron cusp is observed for the heavy target of Xe as compared to the light target of N$_2$. Our results provide a stringent test for fully relativistic calculations of double-differential cross sections performed in the first-order approximation and in the continuum-distorted-wave approach.

Mass-separated 187Ta in a high-spin isomeric state has been produced for the first time by multi-nucleon transfer reactions, employing an argon gas stopping cell and laser ionisation. Internal gamma rays revealed a 7.3 s isomer at 1778 keV, which decays through a rotational band with perturbations associated with the approach to a prolate-oblate shape transition. Model calculations show less influence from triaxiality compared to heavier elements in the same mass region. The isomer decay reduced E2 hindrance factor of 27 supports the interpretation that axial symmetry is approximately conserved., Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures

Two independent beam stoppers have been developed for improving the beam separation of the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II. Performance evaluation of these supplemental beam stoppers was performed by using the 208Pb (18O,3n)223Th reaction. A160-fold enhancement of the signal-to-noise ratio at the GARIS-II focal plane was observed., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures

We present the first direct measurement of the atomic mass of a superheavy nuclide. Atoms of $^{257}$Db ($Z$=105) were produced online at the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science using the fusion-evaporation reaction $^{208}$Pb($^{51}$V, 2n)$^{257}$Db. The gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II was used to suppress both the unreacted primary beam and some transfer products, prior to delivering the energetic beam of $^{257}$Db ions to a helium gas-filled ion stopping cell wherein they were thermalized. Thermalized $^{257}$Db$^{3+}$ ions were then transferred to a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph for mass analysis. An alpha particle detector embedded in the ion time-of-flight detector allowed disambiguation of the rare $^{257}$Db$^{3+}$ time-of-flight detection events from background by means of correlation with characteristic $\alpha$-decays. The extreme sensitivity of this technique allowed a precision atomic mass determination from 11 events. The mass excess was determined to be $100\,063(231)_\textrm{stat}(132)_\textrm{sys}$~keV/c$^2$. Comparing to several mass models, we show the technique can be used to unambiguously determine the atomic number as $Z$=105 and should allow similar evaluations for heavier species in future work., Comment: Submitted to PRC as Rapid Comm., 5 pages, 4 figures

The Isobaric Multiplet Mass Equation (IMME) has been successful at predicting the masses of isobaric analogue states in the same multiplet, while its coefficients are known to follow trends as functions of mass number. The Atomic Mass Evaluation 2016 [Chin. Phys. C 41, 030003 (2017)] $^{44}$V mass value results in an negative $c$ coefficient for the IMME quadratic term. The $b$ and $c$ coefficients can provide constraints for construction of the isospin-nonconserving (INC) Hamiltonians for the $pf$ shell. The excitation energy of the $0^+, T=2$ level in $^{44}$V is currently unknown and can be used to constrain the $^{44}$Cr mass. The aim of the experiment was to perform high-precision mass measurements to resolve the difference between $^{44}$V isomeric and ground states, to test the IMME, and to provide ingredients for identifying the $0^+$, $T=2$ state in $^{44}$V. High-precision Penning trap mass spectrometry was performed at LEBIT, to measure the cyclotron frequency ratios of [$^{44g,m}$VO]$^+$ versus [$^{32}$SCO]$^+$, a reference mass, to extract both the isomeric and ground state masses of $^{44}$V. The mass excess of the ground and isomeric states in $^{44}$V were measured to be $-23\ 804.9(80)$ keV/$\text{c}^2$ and $-23\ 537.0(55)$ keV/$\text{c}^2$. This yielded a new proton separation energy of $S_p$ = 1\ 773(10) keV. The new mass values of $^{44}$V have been used to deduce the IMME $b$ and $c$ coefficients of the lowest $2^+$ and $6^+$ triplets in $A=44$. The $2^+$ $c$ coefficient is verified with the IMME trend and agrees with the shell-model predictions using charge-dependent Hamiltonians. The mirror energy differences were determined between $^{44}$V and $^{44}$Sc, in line with isospin-symmetry. The new value of the proton separation energy determined will be important for the determination of the $0^+$, $T=2$ state in $^{44}$V and for prediction of the mass of $^{44}$Cr., Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures

In applied forms of time-of-flight mass spectrometry utilizing ion storage devices prior to an analysis device, a non instantaneous electric ejection pulse applied in the region of ion storage is used to accelerate ions into the time-of-flight analyzer. The calculated mass value of the ions from the time-of-flight is dependent on the duration of the field transition up to full strength. For novel applications dedicated to precision measurements, such as multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometry of short-lived isotopes, the goal is to continuously decrease the measurement uncertainty while providing a mass accuracy on the same order. Even though dynamic-field models for time-of-flight mass spectrometry have been considered in the past for technological advances, it is important to study the accuracy of the measured mass in this context. Using a simplified linear model for the field transition, we provide a basic investigation of the scenario, and discuss the deviation from the classical "mass-over-charge" dependency of the ions' time-of-flight, which becomes violated. The emerging mass discrepancy depends on the distance between the mass of the ion used for calibration and that of the ion of interest and, in extreme cases, can increase to about one percent for systems with short times-of-flight. However, for typical conditions in single-reference multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometry, mass deviations caused by this effect typically remain below the 1 ppm level. If a mass calibration using two or more ion species is possible during the measurement, the effect becomes negligible for appropriate choices of reference masses., Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures

Absolute cross sections for electron-impact single ionisation (EISI) of multiply charged tungsten ions (W$^{q+}$) with charge states in the range $ 11 \leq q \leq 18$ in the electron-ion collision energy ranges from below the respective ionisation thresholds up to 1000~eV were measured employing the electron-ion crossed-beams method. In order to extend the results to higher energies, cross section calculations were performed using the subconfiguration-averaged distorted-wave (SCADW) method for electron-ion collision energies up to 150~keV. From the combined experimental and scaled theoretical cross sections rate coefficients were derived which are compared with the ones contained in the ADAS database and which are based on the configuration-averaged distorted wave (CADW) calculations of Loch et al. [Phys. Rev. A 72, 052716 (2005)]. Significant discrepancies were found at the temperatures where the ions investigated here are expected to form in collisionally ionised plasmas. These discrepancies are attributed to the limitations of the CADW approach and also the more detailed SCADW treatment which do not allow for a sufficiently accurate description of the EISI cross sections particularly at the ionisation thresholds., Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, 4 tabels

The performance of a newly built omega type electrostatic analyzer designed to act as an in-line charge-state purification system for ions in the keV energy range is reported. The analyzer consists of a set of four consecutive electrostatic 140{\deg} concentric cylindrical electrodes enclosed by Matsuda electrodes. This setup was recently tested and validated using $O^{5+}$ , $Ar^{9+}$ and $Xe^{20+}$ ion beams at an energy of 14 qkeV at the ARIBE facility. A resolving power of 10.5 and a transmission of 100 % of the desired charge state are measured allowing a good purification of incoming ion beams with charge states up to 10+ and a fairly good purification for charge states at least up to 20+. In comparison with other in-line solutions such as Wien filter, our system has the advantage of being purely electrostatic and therefore lacking common drawbacks as for example hysteresis.

We have developed a novel detector, referred to as an "$\alpha$-ToF detector", for correlated measurements of atomic masses and decay properties of low-yield, short-lived radioactive isotopes using a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph. By correlating measured time-of-flight signals with decay events, it will be possible to suppress background events and obtain accurate, high-precision mass values even in cases of very low event rates. An offline test of the $\alpha$-ToF detector has shown that the time-of-flight detection efficiency for 5.48~MeV $\alpha$-rays is more than 90\% and yields a time resolution of 251.5(68)~ps and an energy resolution of 141.1(9)~keV. Using a two-dimensional spectrum of the correlated $\alpha$-ray energy and time-of-flight, the $\alpha$-rays from mixed $\alpha$ sources could be fairly well resolved., Comment: 6pages, 10 figures

We introduce a design for an electronic device capable of superposing 8 bias voltages up to $\pm$48V on a voltage of up to 1.5~kV. Such a device has been implemented to provide biasing of a beam steerer-shifter system for use in aligning an ion beam with the optical axis of a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph. The device features a 16-bit digital interface both to set and to monitor the applied voltages, and can be built for less than \$500~USD. By selection of higher isolation components, the design could allow operation up to 10~kV or more., Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, electronics development

Achieving the highest possible mass resolving power in a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer requires very high-stability power supplies. To this end, we have developed a programmable high-voltage power supply that can achieve long-term stability on the order of parts-per-million. Herein we present the design of the stable high-voltage system and bench-top stability measurements up to 1~kV; the stabilization technique can, in principle, be applied up to 15~kV or more.. We demonstrate that in the $\le$1~Hz band the output stability is on the level of 1~part per million (ppm) during one hour, with only slightly more output variation across 3 days. We further demonstrate that the output is largely free of noise in the 1~Hz -- 200~Hz band. We also demonstrate settling to the ppm level within one minute following a 100~V step transition. Finally, we demonstrate that when these power supplies are used to bias the electrodes of a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph the measured time-of-flight is stable on the ppm-level for at least one hour., Comment: 10 pages, 12 figures, Report of electronics development

We introduce a new concomitant referencing mode for operating a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph (MRTOF-MS), wherein the reference and analyte ions are interleaved on a cycle by cycle bases. Using this mode, we demonstrate an improved technique for performing wide bandwidth mass measurements via MRTOF-MS. This new technique offers a simplified analysis and high-accuracy., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, follow-up for DOI:10.1016/j.ijms.2013.11.005

The masses of the exotic isotopes $^{210-214}$Ac and $^{210-214}$Ra have been measured with a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph. These isotopes were obtained in flight as fusion-evaporation products behind the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II at RIKEN. The new direct mass measurements serve as an independent and direct benchmark for existing $\alpha$-$\gamma$ spectroscopy data in this mass region. Further, new mass anchor points are set for U and Np nuclei close to the $N=126$ shell closure for a future benchmark of the $Z=92$ sub-shell for neutron-deficient heavy isotopes. Our mass results are in general in good agreement with the previously indirectly-determined mass values. Together with the measurement data, reasons for possible mass ambiguities from decay-data links between ground states are discussed.

The masses of $^{246}$Es, $^{251}$Fm and the transfermium nuclei $^{249-252}$Md, and $^{254}$No, produced by hot- and cold-fusion reactions, in the vicinity of the deformed $N=152$ neutron shell closure, have been directly measured using a multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph. The masses of $^{246}$Es and $^{249,250,252}$Md were measured for the first time. Using the masses of $^{249,250}$Md as anchor points for $\alpha$ decay chains, the masses of heavier nuclei, up to $^{261}$Bh and $^{266}$Mt, were determined. These new masses were compared with theoretical global mass models and demonstrated to be in good agreement with macroscopic-microscopic models in this region. The empirical shell gap parameter $\delta_{2n}$ derived from three isotopic masses was updated with the new masses and corroborate the existence of the deformed $N=152$ neutron shell closure for Md and Lr.

High-precision mass measurements of $^{63}$Cu, $^{64-66}$Zn, $^{65}$Ga, $^{65-67}$Ge, $^{67}$As, $^{78,81}$Br, $^{80}$Rb, and $^{79}$Sr were performed utilizing a multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph combined with the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II. In the case of $^{65}$Ga, a mass uncertainty of 2.1 keV, corresponding to a relative precision of $\delta m / m = 3.5\times10^{-8}$, was obtained and the mass value is in excellent agreement with the 2016 Atomic Mass Evaluation. For $^{67}$Ge and $^{81}$Br, where masses were previously deduced through indirect measurements, discrepancies with literature values were found. The feasibility of using this device for mass measurements of nuclides more neutron-deficient side, which have significant impact on the $rp$-process pathway, is discussed., Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, 1 table

Magnetic dipole moment and mean-square charge radius of $^{199}$Pt ($I^{\pi}=$ 5/2$^-$) have been evaluated for the first time from the investigation of the hyperfine splitting of the $\lambda_1=$ 248.792 nm transition by in-gas-cell laser ionization spectroscopy. Neutron-rich nucleus $^{199}$Pt was produced by multi-nucleon transfer reaction at the KISS where the nuclear spectroscopy in the vicinity of $N=$ 126 is planed from the aspect of an astrophysical interest as well as the nuclear structure. Measured magnetic dipole moment $+$0.63(13)$\mu_{\rm N}$ is consistent with the systematics of those of nuclei with $I^{\pi}=$ 5/2$^-$. The deformation parameter $|<\beta_2^2>^{1/2}|$ evaluated from the isotope shift indicates the gradual shape change to spherical shape of platinum isotopes with increasing neutron number toward $N=$ 126., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures

Using a mulit-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph (MRTOF-MS) located after a gas cell coupled with the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II, the masses of several heavy nuclei have been directly and precisely measured. The nuclei were produced via fusion-evaporation reactions and separated from projectile-like and target-like particles using GARIS-II before being stopped in a helium-filled gas cell. Time-of-flight spectra for three isobar chains, 205Fr-205Rn-205At-205Po, 206Fr-206Rn-206At and 201Rn-201At-201Po-201Bi, were observed. Precision atomic mass values were determined for 205,206Fr, 201At, and 201Po., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures

The photon-ion merged-beams technique has been employed at the new Photon-Ion spectrometer at PETRA III (PIPE) for measuring multiple photoionization of Xe$^{q+}$ (q=1-5) ions. Total ionization cross sections have been obtained on an absolute scale for the dominant ionization reactions of the type h\nu + Xe$^{q+}$ $\to$ Xe$^{r+}$ + (q-r) e$^-$ with product charge states q+2 $\le$ r $\le$ q+5. Prominent ionization features are observed in the photon-energy range 650-750 eV, which are associated with excitation or ionization of an inner-shell 3d electron. Single-configuration Dirac-Fock calculations agree quantitatively with the experimental cross sections for non-resonant photoabsorption, but fail to reproduce all details of the measured ionization resonance structures., Comment: 20 pages, 12 figures, submitted for publication to J. Phys. B

We characterize the mass bandwidth of the a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph, showing both the functional and useful mass bandwidth. We then demonstrate the use of a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph to perform mass measurements in mass bands much wider than the mass bandwidth., Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures

A radiofrequency quadrupole ion trap system for use with a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph (MRTOF) for short-lived nuclei has been developed. The trap system consists of two different parts, an asymmetric taper trap and a flat trap. The ions are cooled to a sufficient small bunch for precise mass measurement with MRTOF in only 2 ms cooling time in the flat trap, then orthogonally ejected to the MRTOF for mass analysis. A trapping efficiency of ~27% for 23Na+ and ~5.1% for 7Li+ has been achieved., Comment: 6 pages

A multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph, competitive with Penning trap mass spectrometers, has been built at RIKEN. We have performed a first online mass measurement, using 8Li+ (T1/2 = 838 ms). A new analysis method has been realized, with which, using only 12C+ references, the mass excess of 8Li was accurately determined to be 20947.6(15)(34) keV (dm/m = 6.6 x 10-7). The speed, precision and accuracy of this first online measurement exemplifies the potential for using this new type of mass spectrograph for precision measurements of short-lived nuclei., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures

For trans-uranium elements, stable atomic isobars do not exist. In order to provide isobaric reference ions for the mass measurement of trans-uranium elements, an electrospray ion source (ESI) was combined with an rf-carpet to collect molecular ions efficiently. The rf-carpet allows for simplification of the pumping system to transport ions from the ESI to a precision mass analyzer. Molecular ions appropriate for isobaric references of trans-uranium elements were extracted from the rf-carpet and analyzed by a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph (MRTOF-MS) with a resolving power of $\rm{R_m} \gtrsim100,000$.

A new laser ion source configuration based on resonant photoionization in a gas cell has been developed at RIBF RIKEN. This system is intended for the future PArasitic RI-beam production by Laser Ion-Source (PALIS) project which will be installed at RIKEN's fragment separator, BigRIPS. A novel implementation of differential pumping, in combination with a sextupole ion beam guide (SPIG), has been developed. A few small scroll pumps create a pressure difference from 1000 hPa - 10^-3 Pa within a geometry drastically miniaturized compared to conventional systems. This system can utilize a large exit hole for fast evacuation times, minimizing the decay loss for short-lived nuclei during extraction from a buffer gas cell, while sufficient gas cell pressure is maintained for stopping high energy RI-beams. In spite of the motion in a dense pressure gradient, the photo-ionized ions inside the gas cell are ejected with an assisting force gas jet and successfully transported to a high-vacuum region via SPIG followed by a quadrupole mass separator. Observed behaviors agree with the results of gas flow and Monte Carlo simulations.