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The Zirconium (Z = 40) isotopic chain has attracted interest for more than four decades. The abrupt lowering of the energy of the first $2^+$ state and the increase in the transition strength B(E2; $2_1^\rightarrow 0_1^+$ going from $^{98}$Zr to $^{100}$Zr has been the first example of "quantum phase transition" in nuclear shapes, which has few equivalents in the nuclear chart. Although a multitude of experiments have been performed to measure nuclear properties related to nuclear shapes and collectivity in the region, none of the measured lifetimes were obtained using the Recoil Distance Doppler Shift method in the $\gamma\gamma$-coincidence mode where a gate on the direct feeding transition of the state of interest allows a strict control of systematical errors. This work reports the results of lifetime measurements for the first yrast excited states in $^{98-104}$Zr carried out to extract reduced transition probabilities. The new lifetime values in $\gamma\gamma$-coincidence and $\gamma$-single mode are compared with the results of former experiments. Recent predictions of the Interacting Boson Model with Configuration Mixing, the Symmetry Conserving Configuration Mixing model based on the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach and the Monte Carlo Shell Model are presented and compared with the experimental data.

The $^{111,112,113}$Sn isotopes have been studied with ($p,d \gamma$), ($p,p^{\prime} \gamma$), and ($d,p \gamma$) reactions to extract the nuclear level densities (NLDs) and $\gamma$-ray strength functions (GSFs) of these nuclei below the neutron separation energy by means of the Oslo method. The experimental NLDs for all three nuclei demonstrate a trend compatible with the constant-temperature model below the neutron separation energy while also being in good agreement with the NLDs of neighboring Sn isotopes, obtained previously with the Oslo-type and neutron evaporation experiments. The extracted microcanonical entropies yield $\approx 1.5$ $k_B$ entropy of a valence neutron in both $^{111}$Sn and $^{113}$Sn. Moreover, the deduced microcanonical temperatures indeed suggest a clear constant-temperature behavior above $\approx$ 3 MeV in $^{111,113}$Sn and above $\approx$ 4.5 MeV in $^{112}$Sn. We observe signatures for the first broken neutron pairs between 2 and 4 MeV in all three nuclei. The GSFs obtained with the Oslo method are found to be in good agreement below the neutron threshold with the strengths of $^{112,114}$Sn extracted in the ($p,p^{\prime}$) Coulomb excitation experiments., Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures

The only proposed observation of a discrete, hexacontatetrapole ($E6$) transition in nature occurs from the T$_{1/2}$ = 2.54(2)-minute decay of $^{53m}$Fe. However, there are conflicting claims concerning its $\gamma$-decay branching ratio, and a rigorous interrogation of $\gamma$-ray sum contributions is lacking. Experiments performed at the Australian Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility were used to study the decay of $^{53m}$Fe. For the first time, sum-coincidence contributions to the weak $E6$ and $M5$ decay branches have been firmly quantified using complementary experimental and computational methods. Agreement across the different approaches confirms the existence of the real $E6$ transition; the $M5$ branching ratio and transition rate have also been revised. Shell model calculations performed in the full $pf$ model space suggest that the effective proton charge for high-multipole, $E4$ and $E6$, transitions is quenched to approximately two-thirds of the collective $E2$ value. Correlations between nucleons may offer an explanation of this unexpected phenomenon, which is in stark contrast to the collective nature of lower-multipole, electric transitions observed in atomic nuclei., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, to be published in Physical Review Letters

Medium-spin excited states of the neutron-rich nucleus $^{87}$Br were observed and studied for the first time. They were populated in fission of $^{235}$U induced by the cold-neutron beam of the PF1B facility of the Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble. The measurement of $\gamma$ radiation following fission has been performed using the EXILL array of Ge detectors. The observed level scheme was compared with results of large valence space shell model calculations. The medium-spin level scheme consists of three band-like structures, which can be understood as bands built on the ${\pi}f_{5/2}$, ${\pi}(p_{3/2}+f_{5/2})$ and ${\pi}g_{9/2}$ configurations. The behavior of the observed ${\pi}g_{9/2}$ band at high spins shows a considerable deviation from the shell model predictions. This deviation in this band is probably the result of an increased collectivity, which can be understood assuming that the ${\pi}g_{9/2}$ high-$\it j$ proton polarizes the core.

The cascading 3.21 MeV and 4.44 MeV electric quadrupole transitions have been observed from the Hoyle state at 7.65 MeV excitation energy in $^{12}$C, excited by the $^{12}$C(p,p$^{\prime}$) reaction at 10.7 MeV proton energy. From the proton-$\gamma$-$\gamma$ triple coincidence data, a value of ${\Gamma_{\rm rad}}/{\Gamma}=6.2(6) \times 10^{-4}$ was obtained for the radiative branching ratio. Using our results, together with ${\Gamma_{\pi}^{E0}}/{\Gamma}$ from Eriksen et al., Phys. Rev. C 102, 024320 and the currently adopted $\Gamma_{\pi}(E0)$ values, the radiative width of the Hoyle state is determined as $\Gamma_{\rm rad}=5.1(6) \times 10^{-3}$ eV. This value is about 34% higher than the currently adopted value and will impact on models of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis., Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures

Stellar carbon synthesis occurs exclusively via the $3\alpha$ process, in which three $\alpha$ particles fuse to form $^{12}$C in the excited Hoyle state, followed by electromagnetic decay to the ground state. The Hoyle state is above the $\alpha$ threshold, and the rate of stellar carbon production depends on the radiative width of this state. The radiative width cannot be measured directly, and must instead be deduced by combining three separately measured quantities. One of these quantities is the $E0$ decay branching ratio of the Hoyle state, and the current $10$\% uncertainty on the radiative width stems mainly from the uncertainty on this ratio. The $E0$ branching ratio was deduced from a series of pair conversion measurements of the $E0$ and $E2$ transitions depopulating the $0^+_2$ Hoyle state and $2^+_1$ state in $^{12}$C, respectively. The excited states were populated by the $^{12}$C$(p,p^\prime)$ reaction at 10.5 MeV beam energy, and the pairs were detected with the electron-positron pair spectrometer, Super-e, at the Australian National University. The deduced branching ratio required knowledge of the proton population of the two states, as well as the alignment of the $2^+_1$ state in the reaction. For this purpose, proton scattering and $\gamma$-ray angular distribution experiments were also performed. An $E0$ branching ratio of $\Gamma^{E0}_{\pi}/\Gamma=8.2(5)\times10^{-6}$ was deduced in the current work, and an adopted value of $\Gamma^{E0}_{\pi}/\Gamma=7.6(4)\times10^{-6}$ is recommended based on a weighted average of previous literature values and the new result. The new recommended value for the $E0$ branching ratio is about 14% larger than the previous adopted value of $\Gamma^{E0}_{\pi}/\Gamma=6.7(6)\times10^{-6}$, while the uncertainty has been reduced from 9% to 5%., Comment: Accepted for publication as a Regular Article in Phys. Rev. C on July 29 2020

Excited states in $^{58,60,62}$Ni were populated via inelastic proton scattering at the Australian National University as well as via inelastic neutron scattering at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory. The Super-e electron spectrometer and the CAESAR Compton-suppressed HPGe array were used in complementary experiments to measure conversion coefficients and $\delta(E2/M1)$ mixing ratios, respectively, for a number of $2^+ \rightarrow 2^+$ transitions. The data obtained were combined with lifetimes and branching ratios to determine $E0$, $M1$, and $E2$ transition strengths between $2^+$ states. The $E0$ transition strengths between $0^+$ states were measured using internal conversion electron spectroscopy and compare well to previous results from internal pair formation spectroscopy. The $E0$ transition strengths between the lowest-lying $2^+$ states were found to be consistently large for the isotopes studied.

Transient-field $g$-factor measurements in inverse kinematics were performed for the first-excited states of the stable, even isotopes of Ge and Se. The $g$ factors of $^{74}$Ge and $^{74}$Se were measured simultaneously using a cocktail beam, which eliminates most possible sources of systematic error in a relative $g$-factor measurement. The results are $g(^{74}{\rm Se})/g(^{74}{\rm Ge})=1.34(7)$, $g(^{70}{\rm Ge})/g(^{74}{\rm Ge}) = 1.16(15)$, $g(^{72}{\rm Ge})/g(^{74}{\rm Ge})=0.92(13)$, $g(^{76}{\rm Ge})/g(^{74}{\rm Ge})=0.88(5)$, $g(^{76}{\rm Se})/g(^{74}{\rm Se})=0.96(7)$, $g(^{78}{\rm Se})/g(^{74}{\rm Se})=0.82(5)$, $g(^{80}{\rm Se})/g(^{74}{\rm Se})=0.99(7)$ and $g(^{82}{\rm Se})/g(^{74}{\rm Se})=1.19(6)$. The measured $g$-factor ratios are in agreement with ratios from previous measurements, despite considerable variation in previous reported absolute values. The absolute values of the $g$ factors remain uncertain, however the Rutgers parametrization was used to set the transient-field strength and then compare the experimental $g$ factors with shell-model calculations based on the JUN45 and jj44b interactions. Modest agreement was found between experiment and theory for both interactions. The shell model calculations indicate that the $g(2^+_1)$ values and trends are determined largely by the balance of the spin carried by orbital motion of the protons., Comment: 13 pages; 12 figures. Published as Phys. Rev. C 100, 044317 (2019). URL: https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevC.100.044317

The Oslo Method has been applied to particle-$\gamma$ coincidences following the $^{239}\mathrm{Pu}$(d,p) reaction to obtain the nuclear level density (NLD) and $\gamma$-ray strength function ($\gamma$SF) of $^{240}\mathrm{Pu}$. The experiment was conducted with a 12 MeV deuteron beam at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory. The low spin transfer of this reaction leads to a spin-parity mismatch between populated and intrinsic levels. This is a challenge for the Oslo Method as it can have a significant impact on the extracted NLD and $\gamma$SF. We have developed an iterative approach to ensure consistent results even for cases with a large spin-parity mismatch, in which we couple Green's Function Transfer calculations of the spin-parity dependent population cross-section to the nuclear decay code RAINIER. The resulting $\gamma$SF shows a pronounced enhancement between 2-4 MeV that is consistent with the location of the low-energy orbital $M1$ scissors mode.

In this paper we present the first systematic analysis of the impact of the populated vs. intrinsic spin distribution on the nuclear level density and $\gamma$-ray strength function retrieved through the Oslo Method. We illustrate the effect of the spin distribution on the recently performed $^{239}\mathrm{Pu}$(d,p$\gamma$)$^{240}\mathrm{Pu}$ experiment using a 12 MeV deuteron beam performed at the Oslo Cyclotron Lab. In the analysis we couple state-of-the-art calculations for the populated spin-distributions with the Monte-Carlo nuclear decay code RAINIER to compare Oslo Method results to the known input. We find that good knowledge of the populated spin distribution is crucial and show that the populated distribution has a significant impact on the extracted nuclear level density and $\gamma$-ray strength function for the $^{239}\mathrm{Pu}$(d,p$\gamma$)$^{240}\mathrm{Pu}$ case., Comment: Presented at the 6th International Workshop on Compound-Nuclear Reactions and Related Topics

In this work, we present new data on the $^{89}$Y($\gamma$,n) cross section studied with a quasi-monochromatic photon beam produced at the NewSUBARU synchrotron radiation facility in Japan contributing torwards resolving a long standing discrepancy between existing measurements of this cross section. Results for $\gamma$-ray strength function below threshold obtained by applying the Oslo method to $^{89}$Y($p,p'\gamma$)$^{89}$Y coincidences combined with the $^{89}$Y($\gamma$,n) data this providing experimental data for the $\gamma$-ray strength function of $^{89}$Y for $\gamma$ energies in the range of $\approx 1.6$ Mev to $\approx$ 20 MeV. A low-energy enhancement is seen for $\gamma$-rays below $\approx 2.5$ MeV. Shell-model calculations indicate that this feature is caused by strong, low-energy $M1$ transitions at high excitation energies. The nuclear level density and $\gamma$-ray strength function have been extracted from $^{89}$Y($d,p \gamma$)$^{90}$Y coincidences using the Oslo method. Using the ($\gamma,n$) and ($d,p\gamma$) data as experimental constraints, we have calculated the $^{89}$Y($n,\gamma$)$^{90}$Y cross section with the TALYS reaction code. Our results have been compared with directly measured (n,$\gamma$) cross sections and evaluations. The $N=50$ isotope $^{89}$Y is an important bottleneck in the s-process and the magnitude of the $^{89}$Y(n,$\gamma)$ cross section is key to understanding how s-process stars produce heavy isotopes., Comment: 18 pages (including references) and 16 figures, to be submitted to PRC

The $E0$ transition strength in the $2^+_2 \rightarrow 2^+_1$ transitions of $^{58,60,62}$Ni have been determined for the first time following a series of measurements at the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Kentucky (UK). The CAESAR Compton-suppressed HPGe array and the Super-e solenoid at ANU were used to measure the $\delta(E2/M1)$ mixing ratio and internal conversion coefficient of each transition following inelastic proton scattering. Level half-lives, $\delta(E2/M1)$ mixing ratios and $\gamma$-ray branching ratios were measured at UK following inelastic neutron scattering. The new spectroscopic information was used to determine the $E0$ strengths. These are the first $2^+ \rightarrow 2^+$ $E0$ transition strengths measured in nuclei with spherical ground states and the $E0$ component is found to be unexpectedly large; in fact, these are amongst the largest $E0$ transition strengths in medium and heavy nuclei reported to date.

Auger electrons emitted after nuclear decay have potential application in targeted cancer therapy. For this purpose it is important to know the Auger electron yield per nuclear decay. In this work we describe a measurement of the ratio of the number of conversion electrons (emitted as part of the nuclear decay process) to the number of Auger electrons (emitted as part of the atomic relaxation process after the nuclear decay) for the case of $^{125}$I. Results are compared with Monte-Carlo type simulations of the relaxation cascade using the BrIccEmis code. Our results indicate that for $^{125}$I the calculations based on rates from the Evaluated Atomic Data Library (EADL) underestimate the K Auger yields by 20\%., Comment: 9 pages 2 fugures

The Time Differential Perturbed Angular Distribution technique with LaBr$_3$ detectors has been applied to the $I^\pi = \frac{11}{2}^-$ isomeric state ($E_x = 846$ keV, $\tau=107$~ns) in $^{107}$Cd, which was populated and recoil-implanted into a gadolinium host following the $^{98}$Mo($^{12}$C, $3n$)$^{107}$Cd reaction. The static hyperfine field strength of Cd recoil implanted into gadolinium was thus measured, together with the fraction of nuclei implanted into field-free sites, under similar conditions as pertained for a previous implantation perturbed angular distribution $g$-factor measurement on the $I^\pi = 10^+$ state in $^{110}$Cd. The $^{110}$Cd $g(10^+)$ value was thereby re-evaluated, bringing it into agreement with the value expected for a seniority-two $\nu h_{\frac{11}{2}}$ configuration.

Prompt fission $\gamma$-rays are responsible for approximately 5\% of the total energy released in fission, and therefore important to understand when modelling nuclear reactors. In this work we present prompt $\gamma$-ray emission characteristics in fission, for the first time as a function of the nuclear excitation energy of the fissioning system. Emitted $\gamma$-ray spectra were measured, and $\gamma$-ray multiplicities and average and total $\gamma$ energies per fission were determined for the $^{233}$U(d,pf) reaction for excitation energies between 4.8 and 10 MeV, and for the $^{239}$Pu(d,pf) reaction between 4.5 and 9 MeV. The spectral characteristics show no significant change as a function of excitation energy above the fission barrier, despite the fact that an extra $\sim$5 MeV of energy is potentially available in the excited fragments for $\gamma$-decay. The measured results are compared to model calculations made for prompt $\gamma$-ray emission with the fission model code GEF. Further comparison with previously obtained results from thermal neutron induced fission is made to characterize possible differences arising from using the surrogate (d,p) reaction.

Experimental results of the $^{237}$Np($d, p \gamma)^{238}$Np reaction are presented, which verifies the generalized Brink-Axel (gBA) hypothesis for $\gamma$ transitions between states in the quasi-continuum. The gBA hypothesis holds not only for specific collective resonances, but for the full dipole strength below the neutron separation energy. We discuss the validity of the gBA hypothesis also for lighter systems like $^{92}$Zr where the concept of a unique $\gamma$-ray strength function ($\gamma$SF) is problematic due to large Porter-Thomas fluctuations. Methods for studying the $\gamma$SF and the fluctuations as function of excitation energy are presented., Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, PoS proceedings for The 26th International Physics Conference 11-16 September, 2016, Adelaide, Australia

Nuclear level densities and $\gamma$-ray strength functions of $^{56,57}$Fe have been extracted from proton-$\gamma$ coincidences. A low-energy enhancement in the $\gamma$-ray strength functions up to a factor of 30 over common theoretical E1 models is confirmed. Angular distributions of the low-energy enhancement in $^{57}$Fe indicate its dipole nature, in agreement with findings for $^{56}$Fe. The high statistics and the excellent energy resolution of the large-volume LaBr$_{3}$(Ce) detectors allowed for a thorough analysis of $\gamma$ strength as function of excitation energy. Taking into account the presence of strong Porter-Thomas fluctuations, there is no indication of any significant excitation-energy dependence in the $\gamma$-ray strength function, in support of the generalized Brink-Axel hypothesis., Comment: 24 pages, 17 figures, accepted for publication in J. Phys. G: Nucl. Phys; Special Issue

One of the greatest questions for modern physics to address is how elements heavier than iron are created in extreme, astrophysical environments. A particularly challenging part of that question is the creation of the so-called p-nuclei, which are believed to be mainly produced in some types of supernovae. The lack of needed nuclear data presents an obstacle in nailing down the precise site and astrophysical conditions. In this work, we present for the first time measurements on the nuclear level density and average strength function of $^{92}$Mo. State-of-the-art p-process calculations systematically underestimate the observed solar abundance of this isotope. Our data provide stringent constraints on the $^{91}$Nb$(p,{\gamma})^{92}$Mo reaction rate, which is the last unmeasured reaction in the nucleosynthesis puzzle of $^{92}$Mo. Based on our results, we conclude that the $^{92}$Mo abundance anomaly is not due to the nuclear physics input to astrophysical model calculations., Comment: Submitted to PRC

The electromagnetic structure of $^{140}$Sm was studied in a low-energy Coulomb excitation experiment with a radioactive ion beam from the REX-ISOLDE facility at CERN. The $2^+$ and $4^+$ states of the ground-state band and a second $2^+$ state were populated by multi-step excitation. The analysis of the differential Coulomb excitation cross sections yielded reduced transition probabilities between all observed states and the spectroscopic quadrupole moment for the $2_1^+$ state. The experimental results are compared to large-scale shell model calculations and beyond-mean-field calculations based on the Gogny D1S interaction with a five-dimensional collective Hamiltonian formalism. Simpler geometric and algebraic models are also employed to interpret the experimental data. The results indicate that $^{140}$Sm shows considerable $\gamma$ softness, but in contrast to earlier speculation no signs of shape coexistence at low excitation energy. This work sheds more light on the onset of deformation and collectivity in this mass region., Comment: 15 pages, 12 figures

We investigated the 238U(d,p) reaction as a surrogate for the n + 238U reaction. For this purpose we measured for the first time the gamma-decay and fission probabilities of 239U* simultaneously and compared them to the corresponding neutron-induced data. We present the details of the procedure to infer the decay probabilities, as well as a thorough uncertainty analysis, including parameter correlations. Calculations based on the continuum-discretized coupled-channels and distorted-wave Born approximations were used to correct our data from detected protons originating from elastic and inelastic deuteron breakup. In the region where the fission and gamma-decay probabilities compete, the corrected fission probability is in agreement with neutron-induced data, whereas the gamma-decay probability is much higher than the neutron-induced data. The performed statistical-model calculations are not able to explain these results., Comment: Includes modifications due to referee remarks

The level density and gamma-ray strength function (gammaSF) of 243Pu have been measured in the quasi-continuum using the Oslo method. Excited states in 243Pu were populated using the 242Pu(d,p) reaction. The level density closely follows the constant-temperature level density formula for excitation energies above the pairing gap. The gammaSF displays a double-humped resonance at low energy as also seen in previous investigations of actinide isotopes. The structure is interpreted as the scissors resonance and has a centroid of omega_{SR}=2.42(5)MeV and a total strength of B_{SR}=10.1(15)mu_N^2, which is in excellent agreement with sum-rule estimates. The measured level density and gammaSF were used to calculate the 242Pu(n,gamma) cross section in a neutron energy range for which there were previously no measured data., Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures

We have analyzed primary $\gamma$-ray spectra of the odd-odd $^{238}$Np nucleus extracted from $^{237}$Np($d,p\gamma$)$^{238}$Np coincidence data measured at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory. The primary $\gamma$ spectra cover an excitation-energy region of $0 \leq E_i \leq 5.4$ MeV, and allowed us to perform a detailed study of the $\gamma$-ray strength as function of excitation energy. Hence, we could test the validity of the generalized Brink-Axel hypothesis, which, in its strictest form, claims no excitation-energy dependence on the $\gamma$ strength. In this work, using the available high-quality $^{238}$Np data, we show that the $\gamma$-ray strength function is to a very large extent independent on the initial and final states. Thus, for the first time, the generalized Brink-Axel hypothesis has been experimentally verified for $\gamma$ transitions between states in the quasi-continuum region, not only for specific collective resonances, but also for the full strength below the neutron separation energy. Based on our findings, the necessary criteria for the generalized Brink-Axel hypothesis to be fulfilled are outlined., Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures

The $\gamma$-ray strength functions and level densities of $^{73,74}$Ge have been extracted up to the neutron separation energy S$_n$ from particle-$\gamma$ coincidence data using the Oslo method. Moreover, the $\gamma$-ray strength function of $^{74}$Ge above S$_n$ has been determined from photo-neutron measurements, hence these two experiments cover the range of E$_\gamma \approx$ 1-13 MeV for $^{74}$Ge. The obtained data show that both $^{73,74}$Ge display an increase in strength at low $\gamma$ energies. The experimental $\gamma$-ray strength functions are compared with $M1$ strength functions deduced from average $B(M1)$ values calculated within the shell model for a large number of transitions. The observed low-energy enhancements in $^{73,74}$Ge are adopted in the calculations of the $^{72,73}$Ge(n,$\gamma$) cross sections, where there are no direct experimental data. Calculated reaction rates for more neutron-rich germanium isotopes are shown to be strongly dependent on the presence of the low-energy enhancement.

The nuclear level density and the $\gamma$-ray strength function have been extracted for $^{89}$Y, using the Oslo Method on $^{89}$Y($p,p' \gamma$)$^{89}$Y coincidence data. The $\gamma$-ray strength function displays a low-energy enhancement consistent with previous observations in this mass region ($^{93-98}$Mo). Shell-model calculations give support that the observed enhancement is due to strong, low-energy $M1$ transitions at high excitation energies. The data were further used as input for calculations of the $^{88}$Sr($p,\gamma$)$^{89}$Y and $^{88}$Y($n,\gamma$)$^{89}$Y cross sections with the TALYS reaction code. Comparison with cross-section data, where available, as well as with values from the BRUSLIB library, shows a satisfying agreement., Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, version accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. C

Electron-positron angular correlations were measured for the isovector magnetic dipole 17.6 MeV state ($J^\pi=1^+$, $T=1$) $\rightarrow$ ground state ($J^\pi=0^+$, $T=0$) and the isoscalar magnetic dipole 18.15 MeV ($J^\pi=1^+$, $T=0$) state $\rightarrow$ ground state transitions in $^{8}$Be. Significant deviation from the internal pair creation was observed at large angles in the angular correlation for the isoscalar transition with a confidence level of $> 5\sigma$. This observation might indicate that, in an intermediate step, a neutral isoscalar particle with a mass of 16.70$\pm0.35 $ (stat)$\pm 0.5 $ (sys) MeV$/c^2$ and $J^\pi = 1^+$ was created., Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures

A multi-detector array has been designed and constructed for the simultaneous measurement of energy- and angular correlations of electron-positron pairs. Experimental results are obtained over a wide angular range for high-energy transitions in 16O, 12C and 8Be. A comparison with GEANT simulations demonstrates that angular correlations between 50 and 180 degrees of the electron-positron pairs in the energy range between 6 and 18 MeV can be determined with sufficient resolution and efficiency., Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:nucl-ex/0311002 by other authors

It is almost 80 years since Hans Bethe described the level density as a non-interacting gas of protons and neutrons. In all these years, experimental data were interpreted within this picture of a fermionic gas. However, the renewed interest of measuring level density using various techniques calls for a revision of this description. In particular, the wealth of nuclear level densities measured with the Oslo method favors the constant-temperature level density over the Fermi-gas picture. From the basis of experimental data, we demonstrate that nuclei exhibit a constant-temperature level density behavior for all mass regions and at least up to the neutron threshold., Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures

The nuclear level densities of $^{194-196}$Pt and $^{197,198}$Au below the neutron separation energy have been measured using transfer and scattering reactions. All the level density distributions follow the constant-temperature description. Each group of isotopes is characterized by the same temperature above the energy threshold corresponding to the breaking of the first Cooper pair. A constant entropy excess $\Delta S=1.9$ and $1.1$ $k_B$ is observed in $^{195}$Pt and $^{198}$Au with respect to $^{196}$Pt and $^{197}$Au, respectively, giving information on the available single-particle level space for the last unpaired valence neutron. The breaking of nucleon Cooper pairs is revealed by sequential peaks in the microcanonical caloric curve.

Particle-$\gamma$ coincidences from the $^{89}$Y($p,p' \gamma$)$^{89}$Y and $^{89}$Y($d,p \gamma$)$^{90}$Y reactions were utilized to obtain $\gamma$-ray spectra as function of excitation energy. The Oslo method was used to extract the level density from the particle-$\gamma$ coincidence matrices. The impact of the $N=50$ shell closure on the level densities is discussed within the framework of a combinatorial quasi-particle model., Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures

Our measurements of $^{195,196}$Pt $\gamma$-strength functions show a double-humped enhancement in the $E_{\gamma}= 4-8$ MeV region. For the first time, the detailed shape of these resonances is revealed for excitation energies in the quasicontinuum. We demonstrate that the corresponding neutron-capture cross sections and astrophysical reaction rates are increased by up to a factor of 2 when these newly observed pygmy resonances are included. These results lend credence to theoretical predictions of enhanced reaction rates due to such pygmy resonances and hence are important for a better understanding of r-process nucleosynthesis., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

The $^{208}$Pb($p$,$n\gamma\bar p$) $^{207}$Pb reaction at a beam energy of 30 MeV has been used to excite the anti-analog of the giant dipole resonance (AGDR) and to measure its $\gamma$-decay to the isobaric analog state in coincidence with proton decay of IAS. The energy of the transition has also been calculated with the self-consistent relativistic random-phase approximation (RRPA), and found to be linearly correlated to the predicted value of the neutron-skin thickness ($\Delta R_{pn}$). By comparing the theoretical results with the measured transition energy, the value of 0.190 $\pm$ 0.028 fm has been determined for $\Delta R_{pn}$ of $^{208}$Pb, in agreement with previous experimental results. The AGDR excitation energy has also been used to calculate the symmetry energy at saturation ($J=32.7 \pm 0.6$ MeV) and the slope of the symmetry energy ($L=49.7 \pm 4.4$ MeV), resulting in more stringent constraints than most of the previous studies., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1205.2325

The $\gamma$-ray strength function of $^{56}$Fe has been measured from proton-$\gamma$ coincidences for excitation energies up to $\approx 11$ MeV. The low-energy enhancement in the $\gamma$-ray strength function, which was first discovered in the ($^3$He,$\alpha\gamma$)$^{56}$Fe reaction, is confirmed with the ($p,p^\prime\gamma$)$^{56}$Fe experiment reported here. Angular distributions of the $\gamma$ rays give for the first time evidence that the enhancement is dominated by dipole transitions., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. Version accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Letters

The gamma-ray strength function in the quasi-continuum has been measured for 231-233Th, 232,233Pa and 237-239U using the Oslo method. All eight nuclei show a pronounced increase in gamma strength at omega_SR approx 2.4 MeV, which is interpreted as the low-energy M1 scissors resonance (SR). The total strength is found to be B_SR = 9-11 mu_N^2 when integrated over the 1 - 4 MeV gamma-energy region. The SR displays a double-hump structure that is theoretically not understood. Our results are compared with data from (gamma, gamma') experiments and theoretical sum-rule estimates for a nuclear rigid-body moment of inertia., Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures

The nucleosynthesis of elements beyond iron is dominated by neutron captures in the s and r processes. However, 32 stable, proton-rich isotopes cannot be formed during those processes, because they are shielded from the s-process flow and r-process beta-decay chains. These nuclei are attributed to the p and rp process. For all those processes, current research in nuclear astrophysics addresses the need for more precise reaction data involving radioactive isotopes. Depending on the particular reaction, direct or inverse kinematics, forward or time-reversed direction are investigated to determine or at least to constrain the desired reaction cross sections. The Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) will offer unique, unprecedented opportunities to investigate many of the important reactions. The high yield of radioactive isotopes, even far away from the valley of stability, allows the investigation of isotopes involved in processes as exotic as the r or rp processes., Comment: Invited Talk given at the Conference Nuclear Physice in Astrophysics VI (NPA6), Lisbon, Portugal, May 19-24 2013. To appear in the NPA6 Proceedings in Journal of Physics: Conference Series (JPCS)

Particle-gamma coincidences have been measured to obtain gamma-ray spectra as a function of excitation energy for 231-233Th and 237-239U. The level densities, which were extracted using the Oslo method, show a constant temperature behavior. The isotopes display very similar temperatures in the quasi-continuum, however, the even-odd isotopes reveal a constant entropy increase Delta S compared to their even-even neighbors. The entropy excess depends on available orbitals for the last unpaired valence neutron of the heated nuclear system. Also, experimental microcanonical temperature and heat capacity have been extracted. Several poles in the heat capacity curve support the idea that an almost continuous melting of Cooper pairs is responsible for the constant-temperature behavior., Comment: 9 figures