Search

The 18F(p,$\alpha$) reaction determines the rate of destruction of 18F in novae. It represents the key nuclear physics uncertainty in modelling the calculated flux of annihilation radiation emitted following the radioactive decay of 18F. The major uncertainties relate to states representing s-wave resonances in the compound system, 19Ne. We report a first study of the 19F(3He, t)19Ne reaction at intermediate energies and forward angles. This reaction has a simple, model-independent, mechanism that we use here to identify states near the proton threshold energy in 19Ne corresponding to $\Delta L=0$ transitions. In particular, we observe a $\Delta L=0$ state at 6.13 MeV which could significantly affect the 18F(p,$\alpha$) astrophysical S-factor at nova burning temperatures.

Background: The $^{22}\mathrm{Ne}(\ensuremath{\alpha},n)^{25}\mathrm{Mg}$ reaction is the dominant neutron source for the slow neutron capture process ($s$ process) in massive stars, and contributes, together with $^{13}\mathrm{C}(\ensuremath{\alpha},n)^{16}\mathrm{O}$, to the production of neutrons for the $s$ process in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. However, the reaction is endothermic and competes directly with $^{22}\mathrm{Ne}(\ensuremath{\alpha},\ensuremath{\gamma})^{26}\mathrm{Mg}$ radiative capture. The uncertainties for both reactions are large owing to the uncertainty in the level structure of $^{26}\mathrm{Mg}$ near the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and neutron separation energies. These uncertainties affect the $s$-process nucleosynthesis calculations in theoretical stellar models.Purpose: Indirect studies in the past have been successful in determining the energies and the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray and neutron widths of the $^{26}\mathrm{Mg}$ states in the energy region of interest. But, the high Coulomb barrier hinders a direct measurement of the resonance strengths, which are determined by the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ widths for these states. The goal of the present experiments is to identify the critical resonance states and to precisely measure the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ widths by $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-transfer techniques.Methods: The $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-inelastic scattering and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-transfer measurements were performed on a solid $^{26}\mathrm{Mg}$ target and a $^{22}\mathrm{Ne}$ gas target, respectively, using the Grand Raiden Spectrometer at the Research Center for Nuclear Physics in Osaka, Japan. The $(\ensuremath{\alpha},{\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ measurements were performed at $0.{45}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}, 4.{1}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}, 8.{6}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$, and $11.{1}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ and the $(^{6}\mathrm{Li},d)$ measurements at ${0}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ and ${10}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$. The scattered $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles and deuterons were detected by the focal plane detection system consisting of multiwire drift chambers and plastic scintillators. The focal plane energy calibration allowed the study of $^{26}\mathrm{Mg}$ levels from ${E}_{x}$ = 7.69--12.06 MeV in the $(\ensuremath{\alpha},{\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ measurement and ${E}_{x}$ = 7.36--11.32 MeV in the $(^{6}\mathrm{Li},d)$ measurement.Results: Six levels (${E}_{x}$ = 10717, 10822, 10951, 11085, 11167, and 11317 keV) were observed above the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ threshold in the region of interest (10.61--11.32 MeV). The $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ widths were calculated for these states from the experimental data. The results were used to determine the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-capture induced reaction rates.Conclusion: The energy range above the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ threshold in $^{26}\mathrm{Mg}$ was investigated using a high resolution spectrometer. A number of states were observed for the first time in $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-scattering and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-transfer reactions. The excitation energies and spin-parities were determined. Good agreement is observed for previously known levels in $^{26}\mathrm{Mg}$. From the observed resonance levels the ${E}_{x}$ = 10717 keV state has a negligible contribution to the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-induced reaction rates. The rates are dominated in both reaction channels by the resonance contributions of the states at ${E}_{x}$ = 10951, 11167, and 11317 keV. The ${E}_{x}$ = 11167 keV state has the most appreciable impact on the $(\ensuremath{\alpha},\ensuremath{\gamma})$ rate and therefore plays an important role in the prediction of the neutron production in $s$-process environments.

The Low Energy Neutron Detector Array (LENDA) is a neutron time-of-flight (TOF) spectrometer developed at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Lab- oratory (NSCL) for use in inverse kinematics experiments with rare isotope beams. Its design has been motivated by the need to study the spin-isospin response of unstable nuclei using (p, n) charge-exchange reactions at intermediate energies (> 100 MeV/u). It can be used, however, for any reaction study that involves emission of low energy neutrons (150 keV - 10 MeV). The array consists of 24 plastic scintillator bars and is capable of registering the recoiling neutron energy and angle with high detection efficiency. The neutron energy is determined by the time-of-flight technique, while the position of interaction is deduced using the timing and energy information from the two photomultipliers of each bar. A simple test setup utilizing radioactive sources has been used to characterize the array. Results of test measurements are compared with simulations. A neutron energy threshold of < 150 keV, an intrinsic time (position) resolution of \sim 400 ps (\sim 6 cm) and an efficiency > 20 % for neutrons below 4 MeV have been obtained., Version accepted for publication in Nucl. Instr. Methods A. Revised text, 2 new figures added (one in section 4 and one in section 7)

Interaction cross sections (sigma(1)) for Me isotopes from the stability line to the vicinity of the neutron drip line have been measured at around 240 MeV/nucleon using BigRIPS at RIBF, RIKEN, The sigma(1) for Ne27-32 in every case exceed the systematic mass-number dependence of sigma(1) for stable nuclei, which can be explained by considering the nuclear deformation. In particular the sigma(1) for Ne-29 and Ne-31 are significantly greater than those of their neighboring nuclides. These enhancements of sigma(1) for Ne-29 and Ne-31 cannot be explained by a single-particle model calculation under the assumption that the valence neutron of Ne-29 (Ne-31) occupies the 0d(3/2) (0f(7/2)) orbital, as expected from the standard spherical shell ordering. The present data suggest an s dominant halo structure of Ne-29 and s- or p-orbital halo in Ne-31. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Interaction cross sections (σI) for Ne isotopes from the stability line to the vicinity of neutron-drip line have been measured using the RIBF facility at RIKEN. Measurements have been performed for 20–32 Ne on C target at energies around 240 MeV/nucleon. A large enhancement of σI beyond the systematics of stable nuclei have been observed for neutron-rich Ne isotopes. The possible halo structures with lower orbital angular momentum for 29,31 Ne are discussed by the preliminary analysis.

The degrees of polarization of proton rich nucleus 28P produced in charge exchange reactions 28Si + 9Be → 28P + X, and 28Si + 1H → 28P + X have been observed at 100A MeV. Utilizing thus obtained polarized nuclei, the magnetic moment of 28P was remeasured, and |μ(28P)| = 0.3115 (34) μN was obtained. β-nuclear quadrupole resonance (β-NQR) of 28P implanted in α-Al2O3 have been observed for the first time, in order to measure the electric quadrupole moment of this nucleus.

Interaction cross sections ( σ I ) for neutron-rich Ne isotopes, 28–32Ne on C target have been measured at 240A MeV using the RIBF at RIKEN. A large enhancement of σ I beyond the systematics of stable nuclei have been observed for neutron-rich Ne isotopes, particularly for 31Ne. The possible halo structure for 29,31Ne which would be caused by the lowering of the pf-shell and nuclear deformation of Ne isotopes are discussed by the preliminary analysis.

Charge-exchange reactions at intermediate energies have been used extensively in nuclear structure studies as a sensitive probe of the spin-isospin response of nuclei. Experimental investigations have been mostly limited to stable targets. There are, however, compelling scientific arguments to extend these studies to unstable nuclei. The Low Energy Neutron Detection Array (LENDA) is designed to facilitate the study of (p,n) charge exchange reactions in inverse kinematics using unstable beams. The array, which is designed to measure neutron energies and angles with high detection efficiencies, is currently under development at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL). The final array will consist of 24 plastic scintillator bars each with dimensions of 300 times 45 times 25 mm. The neutron energy will be determined by the time-of-flight technique, while the position of interaction will be deduced using the timing and energy information from photomultipliers attached to both ends of each bar. A prototype of the final array has been constructed and characterized in a simple test setup. Results of test measurements and simulations have demonstrated a neutron energy threshold of

Gamow–Teller states, possibly with narrow widths, have been searched for by the 4 He (3 He , t) reaction with an energy resolution of 100 keV. The search is motivated by theoretical discussions on the role of pions in nuclear structure and simulation of supernovae explosion. In the preliminary analysis of the spectrum at around 0°, no significant narrow structure is observed.

Ratios of equilibrium charge-state yields for singly to doubly ionized He-3 ions at an energy of 420 MeV were measured using the Grand Raiden magnetic spectrometer at RCNP. Targets with atomic numbers of 6, 12, 28, 40, 50 and 82 were used. It is found that theoretical calculations for atomic electron-capture and stripping cross sections, which have been successful in describing the data up to beam energies of 200 MeV, are also applicable at this higher energy. However, where at the lower energies the stripping cross sections were calculated with a combination of models by Bohr and Gillespie, the best description of the data at E(He-3) = 420 MeV is obtained when using only the model by Gillespie. The experimental results are also compared with calculations using the code CHARGE, originally developed for fast, heavy (Z > 29) projectiles, to test the extrapolation to low-Z projectiles. It is found that the code underestimates the production of singly-charged He-3 ions, in particular for heavier target nuclei. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The cluster structures of the excited states in 11B are studied by analyzing the isoscalar monopole and quadrupole strengths in the 11B(d,d′) reaction at E d = 200 MeV . The excitation strengths are compared with the predictions by the shell-model and antisymmetrized molecular-dynamics (AMD) calculations. It is found that the large monopole strength for the 3 / 2 3 − state at E x = 8.56 MeV is well described by the AMD calculation and is an evidence for a developed three-body 2 α + t cluster structure.

8 pages, 5 figures.-- PACS nrs.: 25.40.Ep, 25.70.De.-- ISI Article Identifier: 000247257800008., Published in the Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Collective Motion in Nuclei under Extreme Conditions (COMEX 2). Sankt Goar, Germany, June 20-23, 2006., Experimental technique for measuring proton inelastic scattering with high-resolution at 295 MeV and at forward angles including zero degrees have been successfully developed. An excitation energy resolution of less than 20 keV, good scattering angle resolution, low background condition, and reasonable background subtraction have been achieved. The experimental technique have been applied for several sd and pf shell nuclei for systematic study M1 and E1 excitations in nuclei. The experimental method and preliminary spectra are reported.

The cluster structures of the excited states in 11 B are studied by analyzing the isoscalar monopole and quadrupole strengths in the 11 B( d , d ′) reaction at E d = 200 MeV . The excitation strengths are compared with the predictions by the shell-model and antisymmetrized molecular-dynamics (AMD) calculations. It is found that the large monopole strength for the 3 / 2 3 − state at E x = 8.56 MeV is well described by the AMD calculation and is an evidence for a developed 2 α + t cluster structure.

The level structure of 30 S was studied at the NSCL by using neutron removal reactions with a radioactive 31 S beam. The γ -decay from excited states in 30 S was measured in a Ge-detector array. The results discussed for this work will reduce the uncertainties in the determination of the astrophysical 29 P(p, γ ) 30 S reaction rate under rp -process conditions.

The cluster structures of the excited states in 11B are studied by analyzing the isoscalar monopole and quadrupole strengths in the B 11 ( d , d ′ ) reaction at E d = 200 MeV . The excitation strengths are compared with the predictions by the shell-model and antisymmetrized molecular-dynamics (AMD) calculations. The large monopole strength for the 3 / 2 3 − state at E x = 8.56 MeV is well described by the AMD calculation and is suggested to be an evidence for a well developed 2 α + t cluster structure.

The electric dipole strength distribution in 120Sn between 5 and 22 MeV has been determined at RCNP Osaka from a polarization transfer analysis of proton inelastic scattering at E_0 = 295 MeV and forward angles including 0{\deg}. Combined with photoabsorption data an electric dipole polarizability \alpha_D(120Sn) = 8.93(36) fm^3 is extracted. The dipole polarizability as isovector observable par excellence carries direct information on the nuclear symmetry energy and its density dependence. The correlation of the new value with the well established \alpha_D(208Pb) serves as a test of its prediction by nuclear energy density functionals (EDFs). Models based on modern Skyrme interactions describe the data fairly well while most calculations based on relativistic Hamiltonians cannot., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures

Differential cross sections of isoscalar and isovector spin-M1 (0(+)→1(+)) transitions are measured using high-energy-resolution proton inelastic scattering at E(p)=295 MeV on (24)Mg, (28)Si, (32)S, and (36)Ar at 0°-14°. The squared spin-M1 nuclear transition matrix elements are deduced from the measured differential cross sections by applying empirically determined unit cross sections based on the assumption of isospin symmetry. The ratios of the squared nuclear matrix elements accumulated up to E(x)=16 MeV compared to a shell-model prediction are 1.01(9) for isoscalar and 0.61(6) for isovector spin-M1 transitions, respectively. Thus, no quenching is observed for isoscalar spin-M1 transitions, while the matrix elements for isovector spin-M1 transitions are quenched by an amount comparable with the analogous Gamow-Teller transitions on those target nuclei.

Y. Fujita1,2 H. Fujita1 T. Adachi1 C.L. Bai3 A. Algora4,5 G.P.A. Berg6 P. von Brentano7 G. Colo8 M. Csatlos5 J.M. Deaven9 E. Estevez-Aguado4 C. Fransen7 D. De Frenne10 K. Fujita1 E. Ganioglu11 C.J. Guess9 J. Gulyas5 K. Hatanaka1 K. Hirota1 M. Honma12 D. Ishikawa1 E. Jacobs10 A. Krasznahorkay5 H. Matsubara1 K. Matsuyanagi13 R. Meharchand9 F. Molina4 K. Muto14 K. Nakanishi1 A. Negret15 H. Okamura1 H.J. Ong1 T. Otsuka16 N. Pietralla7 G. Perdikakis9 L. Popescu17 B. Rubio4 H. Sagawa13 P. Sarriguren18 C. Scholl7 Y. Shimbara19 Y. Shimizu1 G. Susoy11 T. Suzuki1 Y. Tameshige1 A. Tamii1 J.H. Thies20 M. Uchida1 T. Wakasa1 M. Yosoi1 R.G.T. Zegers1 K.O. Zell7 J. Zenihiro1

Y. Fujita et al.; 15 pags.; 6 figs.; 7 tabs.; PACS number(s): 21.10.Hw, 25.55.Kr, 27.40.+z, 25.40.Ep

The electric dipole strength in 120Sn has been extracted from proton inelastic scattering experiments at E_p = 295 MeV and at forward angles including 0 degree. Below neutron threshoild it differs from the results of a 120Sn(gamma,gamma') experiment and peaks at an excitation energy of 8.3 MeV. The total strength corresponds to 2.3(2)% of the energy-weighted sum rule and is more than three times larger than what is observed with the (gamma,gamma') reaction. This implies a strong fragmentation of the E1 strength and/or small ground state branching ratios of the excited 1- states., 7 pages, 6 figures

Experimental method of measuring inelastic proton scattering with high-resolution at forward angles including zero degrees has been developed. An energy resolution of 20 keV and a scattering angle resolution of 0.5 degrees have been achieved as well as low background condition and a reliable background subtraction method. The experimental technique was applied to the 12 C (p,p′) reaction for studying the property of the second 0+ state at 7.7 MeV and a broad bump around Ex~10 MeV , where the presence of a 2+ state was reported from the 12 C (α,α′) measurement. Preliminary spectra and angular distributions are shown.

The cluster structures of the excited states in 11 B are studied by analyzing the isoscalar monopole and quadrupole strengths in the 11 B (d,d′) reaction at Ed = 200 MeV . The excitation strengths are compared with the predictions by the shell-model and antisymmetrized molecular-dynamics (AMD) calculations. It is found that the large monopole strength for the [Formula: see text] state at Ex = 8.56 MeV is well described by the AMD calculation and is an evidence for a developed 2α + t cluster structure.

The two charge exchange reactions 14N(d, 2He)14C and 14N(3He, t)14O were studied with high resolution in order to identify the Gamow–Teller (GT) strength distribution starting from the ground state (g.s.) of 14N in the β− and β+ directions. The isospin symmetry in the A = 14 mass system is investigated. An overview of the main features of the experimental investigation is summarized here.

In order to study the Gamow–Teller (GT) transitions in the fp-shell nucleus 64Cu, the 64Ni(3He, t)64Cu charge-exchange reaction was investigated at MeV/nucleon [1]. The outgoing tritons were momentum analysed by the Grand Raiden spectrometer at 0°. The very high energy resolution of 35 keV (FWHM) allowed the separation of individual levels in the excitation energy region from 0 to 3.5 MeV. An angular distribution analysis was performed for the observed transitions to these states. In addition to the ground state (g.s.), known to be a Jπ = 1+ GT state, several excited states showed L = 0 nature, making them candidates of GT states. At higher excitation energies, the level density becomes very high and a bump-like structure, the so-called GT Giant Resonance, dominates the spectrum.

Interactions of 150 MeV/amu 3 He ++ projectiles with solid gold targets have been studied at the isochronous cyclotron of the RCNP in Osaka. The 3 He + ions resulting from capture of the target electrons to the projectile were observed with the use of large magnetic spectrograph, Grand Raiden, set at θ = 0° with respect to the beam. The yield ratio of singly to doubly ionized helium ions emerging from thin gold foils, He + /He ++ , has been measured as a function of the foil thickness. Extrapolating the results to zero Au target thickness permits to determine the cross section values for electron stripping from 3 He + ions, σ STRIP = 1.05 × 10 −17 cm 2 , and for electron capture to 3 He ++ ions, σ CAP = 1.12 × 10 −25 cm 2 . The results obtained extend significantly the existing systematics for both processes to high (semi-relativistic) velocities. The collision strength deduced from the stripping cross sections deviates strongly from the theoretical predictions of Gillespie in absolute values as well as in the velocity dependence. It can, however, be well approximated by the simple Bohr formula for mid Z atoms. Also the capture data indicate the need to improve the theoretical approximations. A more detailed treatment of electrons captured from different shells in a high Z target is presumably needed. The astrophysical interest in the data of this kind for very light ions (hydrogen, helium) is indicated.

Weak-interaction responses of 11B were studied by measuring the 11B(3He, t) and 11B(p, p′) reactions. Obtained nuclear transition matrix elements B(GT), B(στ), and B(σ) were compared with the shell-model calculations. The shell-model calculations, which explained the isovector parts B(GT) and B(στ) reasonably well if the quenching factors of 0.5–0.7 were taken into account, did not describe the isoscalar part B(σ).

Thin self-supporting targets are indispensable in high energy-resolution studies using a magnetic spectrometer. However, nuclear targets of alkaline and alkaline-earth metal or halogen isotopes are not easily available. In order to produce thin target foils of these elements for the use in charge-exchange reactions, we take advantage of the fact that the stable isotopes of these elements have relatively small negative Q values, while 12 C and 16 O have large negative Q values. Therefore, even if organic compounds containing carbon and oxygen are used as supporting material, clean spectra on alkaline and alkaline-earth metal or halogen targets can be obtained up to the excitation energies of Q-value differences. A technique to produce thin foils of the chemical compounds Na 2 CO 3 , K 2 CO 3 , CaCO 3 and CaCl2 was developed using polyvinylalcohol as supporting material. Foils with a total thickness of 1– 2 mg / cm 2 were produced and used as targets in a ( 3 He ,t) reaction study at an incident energy of 420 MeV . Owing to the small contributions of energy-loss differences of beam and reaction products in such thin targets, a very good resolution of ΔE/E=7×10−5 was achieved in combination with a high-resolution magnetic spectrometer.

The effective analyzing power for a 3 He polarimeter was calibrated at E 3 He =443 MeV . For the calibration, the absolute magnitude of the polarization was determined by means of the double scattering method using the 3 He scattering on 12 C at 7° in the laboratory frame. The effective analyzing power of Ayeff=0.232±0.010−0.015+0.017 was obtained for the polarimeter with a plastic scintillator of 16 mm thickness as analyzer. The energy dependence of Ayeff was measured. The first data of the induced polarization for 3 He + 12 C elastic scattering at E 3 He =443 MeV will be presented.

A new beam line that can accomplish both lateral and angular dispersion matching with the Grand Raiden spectrometer was designed and constructed at RCNP. A resolution of about 30 keV and a scattering-angle resolution of about 5 mrad were achieved in the (3He,t) reaction at T3He = 420 MeV (140 MeV/A) and angles of 0°–3°. This high-resolution and good angle-resolution reaction enables us to study nuclear structure and fine structure of giant resonances with unprecedented precision.

The analyzing power of the reaction p p→ppπ 0 has been measured at a beam energy of 390 MeV. The dependences of the analyzing power on the pion emission-angle and the relative momentum of two outgoing protons have been obtained. The angular dependence could be decomposed by Legendre polynomial and the relative contribution of the P 21 to the P 11 function is less than 4%. The momentum dependence of the analyzing power has been studied to obtain information about the pion-production mechanism. It has been deduced that pion production due to the long-range interaction plays an important role in the momentum dependence of the P -state amplitude.

For precise measurements of nuclear-reaction spectra using a beam from an accelerator, a high-resolution magnetic spectrometer is a powerful tool. The full capability of a magnetic spectrometer, however, can be achieved only if the characteristics of the beam coming from the accelerator are matched to those required by the spectrometer by properly adjusting the beam line conditions. The matching methods, lateral dispersion matching, focus matching and also the kinematic correction compensate the spectrum line-broadening effects caused by the beam momentum spread and reaction kinematics. In addition, angular dispersion matching should be performed if good resolution of the scattering angle is important. Diagnostic methods developed to realize these matching conditions for the spectrometers K600 at IUCF and Grand Raiden at RCNP are presented.

Under the assumption that isospin is a good quantum number, symmetry is expected for the transitions from the ground states of T = 1, T z = ±1 nuclei to the common excited states of the T z = 0 nucleus situated between the two nuclei. The symmetry can be studied by comparing the strengths of Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions obtained from a (p, n)-type charge-exchange reaction on a target nucleus with T z = 1 with those from the β-decay of the T z = - 1 nucleus. The A = 58 system is the heaviest for which such a comparison is possible. As a part of the symmetry study, we measured the GT transitions from 58Ni (T z = 1) to 58Cu (T z = 0) by using the zero-degree (3 He, t) reaction at 150 MeV/nucleon. With the achieved resolution of 50 keV, many hitherto unresolved GT states have been identified. The GT transition strengths were obtained for states up to 8 MeV excitation, i.e., near to the Q window limitation ( Q EC = 9.37 MeV) of the β-decay from 58Zn (T z = - 1) to 58Cu. The strength distribution is compared with that from shell-model calculations.

We have designed and constructed a new beam line which can accomplish both lateral and angular dispersion matching with the Grand Raiden spectrometer. In dispersive mode, lateral and angular dispersions of the beam line are b 16 =37.1 m and b 26 =−20.0 rad , respectively, to satisfy matching conditions for Grand Raiden. In achromatic mode, the beam line satisfies the double achromatic condition of b16=b26=0. The magnifications of the beam line are (Mx,My)=(−0.98,0.89) and (−1.00,−0.99) for dispersive and achromatic modes, respectively. In the commissioning experiments, we have succeeded to separate the first excited 2+ state of 168Er with E x =79.8 keV clearly from the ground state in the (p,p′) reaction. We achieved energy resolutions of ΔE=13.0±0.3 and 16.7±0.3 keV in full width at half-maximum for 295 and 392 MeV protons, respectively. These energy resolutions agree with the resolving power of Grand Raiden for an object size of about 1 mm .

Assuming isospin T is a good quantum number, the analog states of the low-lying states in T z = ′ (T 0 +1) nuclei can be found as excited T 0 +1 states in T z = ′T 0 nuclei. Therefore, if To + 1 states are identified in theexcited region of T z = ′T 0 nuclei, the structure of unstable nuclei with T z = ′(T 0 + 1) can be deduced. We measured and compared the transition strengths to pairs of excited analog states in inelastic and charge-exchange reactions on the same target nucleus. The T values of these analog states were identified by using the fact that the transition strengths to them are different depending on T. The identification of T = ½ and 3/2 nature of analog M1 and GT states in the mirror nuclei pair 2 7 Al and 2 7 Si is reported by comparing the transition strengths in high-resolution 2 7 Al(p,p') and 2 7 Al( 3 He, t) 2 7 Si reactions at 0°. The identified T = 3/2 states are analogous to the low-lying states of 2 7 Mg, which plays an important role in rp-process of nucleosynthesis.

Precise reaction cross sections (${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$) for $^{24\ensuremath{-}38}\mathrm{Mg}$ on C targets at energies around 240 MeV/nucleon have been measured at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory at RIKEN. The ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$ for $^{36\ensuremath{-}38}\mathrm{Mg}$ have been measured for the first time. An enhancement of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$ compared to the systematics for spherical stable nuclei has been observed, especially in the neutron-rich region, which reflects the deformation of those isotopes. In the vicinity of the drip line the ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$ for $^{37}\mathrm{Mg}$ is especially large. It is shown by analysis using a recently developed theoretical method that this prominent enhancement of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$ for $^{37}\mathrm{Mg}$ should come from the $p$-orbital halo formation breaking the $N=28$ shell gap.

Differential cross sections of isoscalar and isovector spin-M1 (0(+)→1(+)) transitions are measured using high-energy-resolution proton inelastic scattering at E(p)=295 MeV on (24)Mg, (28)Si, (32)S, and (36)Ar at 0°-14°. The squared spin-M1 nuclear transition matrix elements are deduced from the measured differential cross sections by applying empirically determined unit cross sections based on the assumption of isospin symmetry. The ratios of the squared nuclear matrix elements accumulated up to E(x)=16 MeV compared to a shell-model prediction are 1.01(9) for isoscalar and 0.61(6) for isovector spin-M1 transitions, respectively. Thus, no quenching is observed for isoscalar spin-M1 transitions, while the matrix elements for isovector spin-M1 transitions are quenched by an amount comparable with the analogous Gamow-Teller transitions on those target nuclei.

Background: The Gamow-Teller response of $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$ is important for the use of liquid argon as a medium for neutrino detection. An ambiguity about the Gamow-Teller strength for the excitation of ${1}^{+}$ states at 2290 and 2730 keV in $^{40}\mathrm{K}$ results in a significant uncertainty for neutrino capture rates. This ambiguity is caused by the large discrepancy observed between strengths extracted from $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$($p$, $n$) charge-exchange data and the transition strengths for the analog transitions studied in the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay of $^{40}\mathrm{Ti}$.Purpose: This study was aimed at resolving the ambiguity between the results from the $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$($p$, $n$) charge-exchange and $^{40}\mathrm{Ti}$ $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay data.Method: Shell-model calculations in the $sd\text{\ensuremath{-}}pf$ shell with a new interaction (WBMB-C) were used to study differences between the structure of the transitions from $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$ and $^{40}\mathrm{Ti}$. Distorted-wave Born approximation reaction calculations were used to investigate uncertainties in the extraction of Gamow-Teller strength from the $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$($p$, $n$) data. New high-resolution data for the $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$($^{3}\mathrm{He}$,$t$) reaction were used to gain further insight into the charge-exchange reaction mechanism and to provide more information to test the validity of the shell-model calculations.Results: The shell-model calculations showed that interference between amplitudes associated with $pf$ and $sd$ components to the low-lying Gamow-Teller transitions, in combination with a difference in Coulomb energy shifts for $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$ and $^{40}\mathrm{Ti}$, can produce the differences on the scale of those observed between the $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$ charge-exchange and $^{40}\mathrm{Ti}$ $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay data. In combination with the difference in nuclear penetrability of the ($p$, $n$) and ($^{3}\mathrm{He}$,$t$) probes, the different contributions from amplitudes associated with transitions in the $pf$ and $sd$ shells are likely also responsible for the observed discrepancy between the ratio of the cross sections for the low-lying ${1}^{+}$ states in the $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$($p$, $n$) and $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$($^{3}\mathrm{He}$,$t$) data.Conclusions: On the basis of this study, it is recommended to use Gamow-Teller strengths extracted from the $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$($p$, $n$) data, not the $^{40}\mathrm{Ti}$ $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay data, for the calculation of neutrino capture rates. Further theoretical studies are required to achieve a consistent quantitative description for the energy differences between low-lying ${1}^{+}$ states in $^{40}\mathrm{K}$ and $^{40}\mathrm{Sc}$ and the experimentally observed Gamow-Teller strengths.

The total charge-changing, charge pick-up, and partial charge-changing cross sections of very neutron-rich nuclei (Ne-30, Na-32,Na-33) with a proton target have been measured at similar to 240A MeV for the first time. We introduced the phenomenological correction factor in Glauber-model calculations for the total charge-changing cross sections with the proton target, and applied it to deduce the proton radii of these nuclei. For 30Ne and Na-32, the neutron skin thicknesses of the nuclei were deduced by comparing the proton radii with the matter radii deduced from the interaction cross-section measurements. A significant thick neutron-skin has been observed for the nuclei. We also found that the charge pick-up cross sections are much larger than those in the systematics of stable nuclei.

Y. Fujita et al. ; 5 pags. ; 3 figs. PACS numbers: 24.30.Cz, 25.55.Kr, 27.40.+z, Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions in atomic nuclei are sensitive to both nuclear shell structure and effective residual interactions. The nuclear GT excitations were studied for the mass number A=42, 46, 50, and 54 >f-shell> nuclei in (He3, t) charge-exchange reactions. In the Ca42→Sc42 reaction, most of the GT strength is concentrated in the lowest excited state at 0.6 MeV, suggesting the existence of a low-energy GT phonon excitation. As A increases, a high-energy GT phonon excitation develops in the 6-11 MeV region. In the Fe54→Co54 reaction, the high-energy GT phonon excitation mainly carries the GT strength. The existence of these two GT phonon excitations are attributed to the 2 fermionic degrees of freedom in nuclei. © 2014 American Physical Society., This work was in part supported by MEXT, Japan (Grants No. 13002001, No. 15540274, and No. 18540270); MICINN, Spain (Grant No. FPA200806419-C02-01). Y. F. and B. R. acknowledge the support of the Japan-Spain collaboration program by JSPS and CSIC.

A windowless and self-supporting ice target is described. An ice sheet with a thickness of 29.7 mg/cm$^2$ cooled by liquid nitrogen was placed at the target position of a magnetic spectrometer and worked stably in the $^{16}$O$(p,p')$ experiment at $E_{p}=392$ MeV. Background-free spectra were obtained., Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, Nucl. Instr. & Meth. A (in press)

Studying the Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions of stable as well as unstable pf-shell nuclei is one of the key issues in nuclear and astro-nuclear physics. Under the assumption that isospin T is a good quantum number, symmetry is expected for mirror nuclei and the GT transitions starting from the mirror nuclei. We study the GT transitions starting from Tz = ±1 mirror nuclei, respectively, by means of hadronic (3 He , t) charge-exchange reactions and complementary β decays.

Interaction cross sections have been measured for spin-aligned nuclear beams of deformed nucleus. The spin-aligned nuclear beams were created by selecting the momentum of fragments produced in the projectile fragmentation of intermediate energy heavy-ion beams. The directional correlation of nuclear reaction probability for heavy-ion beams of deformed nucleus has been directly observed for the first time.

Reaction cross sections ( σ R ) for 11Be and 8B on proton targets at 50 A ∼ 120 A MeV have been measured to distinguish between the proton- and neutron- density distributions at the nuclear surface. The σ R is connected with the nucleon density distributions by the Glauber theory. Since the nucleon-nucleon total cross sections in that energy region have a large isospin dependence, the σ R on proton targets should have a large difference between the proton and neutron in the halo structure. The experimental σ R on proton targets are in good agreement with the calculated ones assuming that the tail dominantly consists of a neutron for 11Be and a proton for 8B.