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A. C. Larsen

Publications and source records attributed to A. C. Larsen.

83 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
arXiv2009

Gamma-strength functions in 60Ni from two-step cascades following proton capture

The two-step cascade method previously used in neutron capture experiments is now applied to a proton capture reaction. The spectrum of two-step cascades populating the first 2+ level of 60Ni has been measured with 59Co(p,2gamma)60Ni reaction. The simulation technique used for the spectrum analysis allows one to reveal the range of possible shapes of both E1 and M1 gamma-strength functions. The low-energy enhancement previously observed in 3He induced reactions is seen to appear in M1 strength functions of 60Ni.

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arXiv2009

Extraction of thermal and electromagnetic properties in 45Ti

The level density and gamma-ray strength function of 45Ti have been determined by use of the Oslo method. The particle-gamma coincidences from the 46Ti(p,d gamma)45Ti pick-up reaction with 32 MeV protons are utilized to obtain gamma-ray spectra as function of excitation energy. The extracted level density and strength function are compared with models, which are found to describe these quantities satisfactorily. The data do not reveal any single-particle energy gaps of the underlying doubly magic 40Ca core, probably due to the strong quadruple deformation.

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arXiv2009

Statistical structure and $γ$-decay properties of closed shell Pb nuclei

The level densities and gamma-ray strength functions of 205-208Pb have been measured with the Oslo method, utilizing the (3He, 3He' gamma) and (3He,alpha gamma) reactions on the target nuclei 206Pb and 208Pb. The extracted level densities are consistent with known discrete levels at low excitation energies. The entropies and temperatures in the micro-canonical ensemble have been deduced from the experimental level density. An average entropy difference of Delta S ~ 1.8 k_B has been observed between 205Pb and 206Pb. The gamma-ray strength functions in 205-208Pb are extracted and compared with two models; however, none of them describe the data adequately. Intermediate structures have been observed at lower gamma-ray energies in all the analyzed Pb nuclei. These structures are less pronounced while moving from the doubly-magic nucleus 208Pb to 205Pb.

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arXiv2009

Enhanced radiative strength in the quasi-continuum of 117Sn

Radiative strength functions of 117Sn has been measured below the neutron separation energy using the (3He,3He'gamma) reactions. An increase in the slope of the strength functions around E_gamma= 4.5 MeV indicates the onset of a resonance-like structure, giving a significant enhancement of the radiative strength function compared to standard models in the energy region 4.5 <= E_gamma <= 8.0 MeV. For the first time, the functional form of this resonance-like structure has been measured in an odd tin nucleus below neutron threshold in the quasi-continuum region.

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arXiv2009

Evidence for the pair-breaking process in 116,117Sn

The nuclear level densities of 116,117Sn below the neutron separation energy have been determined experimentally from the (3He,alpha gamma) and (3He,3He gamma') reactions, respectively. The level densities show a characteristic exponential increase and a difference in magnitude due to the odd-even effect of the nuclear systems. In addition, the level densities display pronounced step-like structures that are interpreted as signatures of subsequent breaking of nucleon pairs.

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arXiv2008

Thermodynamic Properties of $^{56,57}$Fe

Nuclear level densities for $^{56,57}$Fe have been extracted from the primary $γ$-ray spectra using ($^3$He,$^3$He$^{\prime}γ$) and ($^3$He,$αγ$) reactions. Nuclear thermodynamic properties for $^{56}$Fe and $^{57}$Fe are investigated using the experimental level densities. These properties include entropy, Helmholtz free energy, caloric curves, chemical potential, and heat capacity. In particular, the breaking of Cooper pairs and single-quasiparticle entropy are discussed and shown to be important concepts for describing nuclear level density. Microscopic model calculations are performed for level densities of $^{56,57}$Fe. The experimental and calculated level densities are compared. The average number of broken Cooper pairs and the parity distribution are extracted as a function of excitation energy for $^{56,57}$Fe from the model calculations.

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arXiv2008

Nuclear level densities and gamma-ray strength functions in 44,45Sc

The scandium isotopes 44,45Sc have been studied with the 45Sc(3He,alpha gamma)44Sc and 45Sc(3He,3He' gamma)45Sc reactions, respectively. The nuclear level densities and gamma-ray strength functions have been extracted using the Oslo method. The experimental level densities are compared to calculated level densities obtained from a microscopic model based on BCS quasiparticles within the Nilsson level scheme. This model also gives information about the parity distribution and the number of broken Cooper pairs as a function of excitation energy. The experimental gamma-ray strength functions are compared to theoretical models of the E1, M1, and E2 strength, and to data from (gamma,n) and (gamma,p) experiments. The strength functions show an enhancement at low gamma energies that cannot be explained by the present, standard models.

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arXiv2006

Breaking of nucleon Cooper pairs at finite temperature in 93-98Mo

The S shape of the canonical heat capacity is known as a signature of the pairing transition and along an isotopic chain it is significantly more pronounced for nuclei with an even number of neutrons than with an odd number. Although the heat capacities extracted from experimental level densities in 93-98Mo exhibit a clear S shape, they do not show such an odd-even staggering. To understand the underlying physics, we analyze thermal quantities evaluated from the partition function calculated using the static-path plus random-phase approximation (SPA+RPA) in a monopole pairing model with number-parity projection. The calculated level densities reproduce very well the experimental data and they also agree with estimates using the back-shifted Fermi-gas model. We clarify the reason why the heat capacities for Mo isotopes do not show odd-even staggering of the S shape. We also discuss thermal odd-even mass differences in 94-97Mo using the three-, four-, and five-point formula. These thermal mass differences are regarded as indicators of pairing correlations at finite temperature.

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arXiv2006

Microcanonical entropies and radiative strength functions of $^{50,51}$V

The level densities and radiative strength functions (RSFs) of $^{50,51}$V have been extracted using the ($^3$He,$αγ$) and ($^3$He,$^3$He$^{\prime} γ$) reactions, respectively. From the level densities, microcanonical entropies are deduced. The high $γ$-energy part of the RSF is described by the giant electric dipole resonance. A significant enhancement over the predicted strength in the region of $E_γ \lesssim 3$ MeV is seen, which at present has no theoretical explanation.

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arXiv2006

Level densities and thermodynamical quantities of heated 93-98Mo isotopes

Level densities for 93-98Mo have been extracted using the (3He,alpha gamma) and (3He,3He' gamma) reactions. From the level densities thermodynamical quantities such as temperature and heat capacity can be deduced. Data have been analyzed by utilizing both the microcanonical and the canonical ensemble. Structures in the microcanonical temperature are consistent with the breaking of nucleon Cooper pairs. The S-shape of the heat capacity curves found within the canonical ensemble is interpreted as consistent with a pairing phase transition with a critical temperature for the quenching of pairing correlations at T_c ~ 0.7-1.0 MeV.

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