arXiv subjects

A. Chester

Publications and source records attributed to A. Chester.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

$\beta$-decay Measurements Near the $N=40$ Island of Inversion to Quantify Cooling of Accreted Neutron Star Crusts

Understanding the thermal structure of the outer crust of accreting neutron stars is important to interpret astronomical X-ray observations. Ground-state to ground-state $\beta$-decay transitions of neutron-rich nuclei comprising the crust enable Urca neutrino cooling processes that affect this thermal structure. Here we constrain the ground-state to ground-state transition strengths for the decays of $^{57}$Sc, $^{57}$Ti, and $^{59}$Ti based on experimental data. The data were obtained by combining total absorption $\gamma$-spectroscopy data from the SuN detection system with $\beta$-delayed neutron emission data from the NERO detection system at Michigan State University's National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. We find $\log ft=$5.8$^{+0.3}_{-0.2}$ and $\log ft=$5.34$^{+0.08}_{-0.24}$ for the decays of $^{57}$Ti and $^{59}$Ti, respectively, and find no evidence for ground-state feeding in the decay of $^{57}$Sc. The results indicate weaker transitions than predicted by theory and indicated by previous measurements, resulting in reduced efficiency of neutrino cooling in accreted neutron star crusts in systems that exhibit X-ray superbursts.

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arXiv2025

Beta-decay Half Lives beyond $^{54}$Ca: A Systematic Survey of Decay Properties approaching the Neutron Dripline

In an experiment performed at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) using the FRIB Decay Station initiator (FDSi), 15 new half lives of isotopes near $^{54}$Ca were measured. A new method of extracting lifetimes from experimental data, taking into account the unknown $\beta$-delayed neutron emission branches of very neutron-rich nuclei, was developed to enable systematic uncertainty analysis. The experiment observed a dramatic change in the half-life systematics for the isotopes with neutron number N =34. Beyond N =34, the decline of nuclear lifetime is much slower, leading to longer than anticipated lifetimes for near-dripline nuclei. State-of-the-art shell-model calculations can explain the experimental results for Z$>$19 nuclei, revealing the imprint of shell effects and the need for modification of single-particle neutron states. The results from a newly developed QRPA model with potential for making global predictions were also tested against the experimental results and good agreement was found.

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arXiv2025

Universal Effective Charges in the $sd$ and $fp$ Shells

The 247-keV state in $^{54}$Sc, populated in the $\beta$ decay of $^{54}$Ca, is reported here as a nanosecond isomer with a half-life of 26.0(22) ns. The state is interpreted as the $1^+$ member of the $\pi f_{7/2}\otimes\nu f_{5/2}$ spin-coupled multiplet, which decays to the $3^+,\pi f_{7/2} \otimes \nu p_{1/2}$ ground state. The new half-life corresponds to a pure $E2$ transition with a strength of 1.93(16) W.u., providing the most precise, unambiguous $B(E2)$ value in the neutron-rich $fp$ region to date for a nucleus with valence protons above $Z=20$. Notably, it is roughly four times larger than the $B(E2; 1/2^{-} \rightarrow 5/2^{-})$ value in $^{55}$Ca. The results, as compared to semi-empirical and ab initio shell-model calculations, indicate (1) a weak $N=34$ sub-shell gap relative to $N = 32$, (2) a large $E2$ enhancement in Sc as compared to Ca due to $1p-1h$ proton excitations across $Z=28$, and (3) empirical effective proton and neutron charges, $e_\pi$ = 1.30(8)$e$ and $e_\nu$ = 0.452(7)$e$, respectively, that are in contrast to reports of $e_\pi \approx 1.1-1.15e$ and $e_\nu \approx 0.6-0.8e$ for $fp$-shell nuclei near $N = Z$. We demonstrate that these reports are erroneous and that, in fact, a universal set of effective charges can be used across the $sd$ and $fp$ shells.

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arXiv2025

Exploring $\beta$ decay and $\beta$-delayed neutron emission in exotic $^{46,47}$Cl isotopes

In this paper, $\beta^-$ and $\beta$-delayed neutron decays of $^{46,47}$Cl are reported from an experiment carried out at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory using the Beta Counting System. The half-lives of both $^{46}$Cl and $^{47}$Cl were extracted. Based on the delayed $\gamma$-ray transitions observed, the level structure of $N = 28$ $^{46}$Ar was determined. Completely different sets of excited states above the first $2^+$ state in $^{46}$Ar were populated in the $^{46}$Cl $\beta0n$ and $^{47}$Cl $\beta1n$ decay channels. Two new $\gamma$-ray transitions in $^{47}$Ar were identified from the very weak $^{47}$Cl $\beta0n$ decay. Furthermore, $^{46}$Cl $\beta1n$ and $^{47}$Cl $\beta2n$ were also observed to yield different population patterns for levels in $^{45}$Ar, including states of different parities. The experimental results allow us to address some of the open questions related to the delayed neutron emission process. For isotopes with large neutron excess and high $Q_{\beta}$ values, delayed neutron emission remains an important decay mode and can be utilized as a powerful spectroscopic tool. Experimental results were compared with shell-model calculations using the FSU and $V_{MU}$ effective interactions.

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arXiv2023

Low spin spectroscopy of neutron-rich 43,44,45Cl via {\beta} and (\beta}n decay

{\beta} decay of neutron-rich isotopes 43,45 S,studied at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory is reported here. {\beta} delayed {\gamma} transitions were detected by an array of 16 clover detectors surrounding the Beta Counting Station which consists of a 40x40 Double Sided Silicon Strip Detector followed by a Single Sided Silicon Strip Detector. {\beta} decay half-lives have been extracted for 43,45 S by correlating implants and decays in the pixelated implant detector with further coincidence with {\gamma} transitions in the daughter nucleus. The level structure of 43,45 Cl is expanded by the addition of 20 new {\gamma} transitions in 43Cl and 8 in 45 Cl with the observation of core excited negative-parity states for the first time. For 45 S decay, a large fraction of the {\beta} decay strength goes to delayed neutron emission populating states in 44 Cl which are also presented. Comparison of experimental observations is made to detailed shell-model calculations using the SDPFSDG-MU interaction to highlight the role of the diminished N = 28 neutron shell gap and the near degeneracy of the proton s 1/2 and d 3/2 orbitals on the structure of the neutron-rich Cl isotopes. The current work also provides further support to a ground state spin-parity assignment of 3/2 + in 45 Cl.

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arXiv2023

$\beta^-$ decay of neutron-rich $^{45}$Cl at magic number N=28

Results from the study of $\beta^-$-decay of $^{45}$Cl, produced in the fragmentation of a 140-MeV/u $^{48}$Ca beam, are presented. The half-life for $^{45}$Cl $\beta$-decay is measured to be 513(36) ms. The $\beta^-$ and $\beta^- 1n$ decay of $^{45}$Cl populated excited states in $^{45,44}$Ar, respectively. On the basis of $\gamma$-ray singles and $\gamma$-$\gamma$ coincidence data, decay schemes for the two daughter nuclei have been established. They are compared with shell model calculations using the FSU interaction. The low-lying negative parity states for $^{45}$Ar are well described by a single particle (neutron) occupying orbitals near the Fermi surface, whereas neutron excitations across the $N = 20$ shell gap are needed to explain the positive-parity states which are expected to be populated in allowed Gamow-Teller $\beta$-decay of $^{45}$Cl. The highest $\beta$-feeding to the 5/2$^+$ state in $^{45}$Ar from the ground state of $^{45}$Cl points towards a 3/2$^+$ spin-parity assignment of the ground state of the parent over the other possibility of 1/2$^+$. The high Q$_{\beta^-}$ value of $^{45}$Cl decay allows for the population of $1p1h$ states above the neutron separation energy in $^{45}$Ar leading to positive parity states of $^{44}$Ar being populated by removal of one neutron from the $sd$ shell. The spin-parities of the excited levels in $^{44}$Ar are tentatively assigned for the first time by comparison with the shell model calculations. The 2978~keV level of $^{44}$Ar is identified as the excited 0$^+$ level which could correspond to a different configuration from the ground state.

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arXiv2023

Microsecond Isomer at the N=20 Island of Shape Inversion Observed at FRIB

Excited-state spectroscopy from the first Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) experiment is reported. A 24(2)-$\mu$s isomer was observed with the FRIB Decay Station initiator (FDSi) through a cascade of 224- and 401-keV $\gamma$ rays in coincidence with $^{32}\textrm{Na}$ nuclei. This is the only known microsecond isomer ($1{\text{ }\mu\text{s}}\leq T_{1/2} < 1\text{ ms}$) in the region. This nucleus is at the heart of the $N=20$ island of shape inversion and is at the crossroads of spherical shell-model, deformed shell-model, and ab initio theories. It can be represented as the coupling of a proton hole and neutron particle to $^{32}\textrm{Mg}$, $^{32}\textrm{Mg}+\pi^{-1} + \nu^{+1}$. This odd-odd coupling and isomer formation provides a sensitive measure of the underlying shape degrees of freedom of $^{32}\textrm{Mg}$, where the onset of spherical-to-deformed shape inversion begins with a low-lying deformed $2^+$ state at 885 keV and a low-lying shape-coexisting $0_2^+$ state at 1058 keV. We suggest two possible explanations for the 625-keV isomer in $^{32}$Na: a $6^-$ spherical shape isomer that decays by $E2$ or a $0^+$ deformed spin isomer that decays by $M2$. The present results and calculations are most consistent with the latter, indicating that the low-lying states are dominated by deformation.

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arXiv2023

New isomeric transition in $^{36}$Mg: Bridging the N=20 and N=28 islands of inversion

We observed a new isomeric gamma transition at 168 keV in $^{36}$Mg, with a half-life of T$_{1/2}$=[130-500]$(\pm40)(^{+800}_{-20})_{sys}$ ns. We propose that the observed transition de-excites a new 0$^+$ isomeric state and populates the previously known first 2$^+$ state. The existence of this isomer is consistent with the predictions of the large-scale shell model calculations of $^{36}$Mg using the sdpf-u-mix interaction. The observed excitation energy of the second 0$^+$ state is caused by the small energy separation between two prolate-deformed configurations where the intruder configuration corresponds to two neutron excitations from the {\it sd} to the {\it pf} shell. Within this interpretation, $^{36}$Mg becomes the crossing point between nuclei in which ground state deformed/superdeformed configurations are caused by the dominance of N=20 intruders ($^{32,34}$Mg) and nuclei where deformed configurations are associated with N=28 intruders ($^{38}$Mg and beyond). We found the lack of three-body monopole corrections in other effective interactions results in a predominance of N=20 intruder configurations past $^{38}$Mg incompatible with our observation. We conclude that $^{36}$Mg bridges the N=20 and N=28 islands of inversion, forming the so-called Big Island of Deformation.

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arXiv2022

Improved measurement of the $0_2^+\rightarrow0_1^+$ E0 transition strength for $^{72}$Se using the SPICE spectrometer

The selenium isotopes lie at the heart of a tumultuous region of the nuclear chart where shape coexistence effects grapple with neutron-proton pairing correlations, triaxiality, and the impending proton dripline. In this work a study of $^{72}$Se by internal conversion electron and $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy was undertaken with the SPICE and TIGRESS arrays. New measurements of the branching ratio and lifetime of the $0_2^+$ state were performed yielding a determination of $\rho^2(E0;0_2^+{\rightarrow}0_1^+)=29(3)$ milliunits. two state mixing calculations were performed that highlighted the importance of interpretation of such $E0$ strength values in the context of shape-coexistence.

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arXiv2022

$^{57}$Zn $\beta$-delayed proton emission establishes the $^{56}$Ni $rp$-process waiting point bypass

We measured the $^{57}$Zn $\beta$-delayed proton ($\beta$p) and $\gamma$ emission at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. We find a $^{57}$Zn half-life of 43.6 $\pm$ 0.2 ms, $\beta$p branching ratio of (84.7 $\pm$ 1.4)%, and identify four transitions corresponding to the exotic $\beta$-$\gamma$-$p$ decay mode, the second such identification in the $f p$-shell. The $p/\gamma$ ratio was used to correct for isospin mixing while determining the $^{57}$Zn mass via the isobaric multiplet mass equation. Previously, it was uncertain as to whether the rp-process flow could bypass the textbook waiting point $^{56}$Ni for astrophysical conditions relevant to Type-I X-ray bursts. Our results definitively establish the existence of the $^{56}$Ni bypass, with 14-17% of the $rp$-process flow taking this route.

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arXiv2020

Spectroscopic study of $^{47}$Ca from the $\beta^-$ decay of $^{47}$K

The $\beta^-$ decay of $^{47}$K to $^{47}$Ca is an appropriate mechanism for benchmarking interactions spanning the $sd$ and $pf$ shells, but current knowledge of the $\beta^-$-decay scheme is limited. We have performed a high-resolution, high-efficiency study of the $\beta^-$-decay of $^{47}$K with the GRIFFIN spectrometer at TRIUMF-ISAC. The study revealed 48 new transitions, a more precise value for the $^{47}$K half-life (17.38(3)~s), and new spin and parity assignments for eight excited states. Levels placed for the first time here raise the highest state observed in $\beta^-$ decay to within 568(3) keV of the $Q$-value and confirm the previously measured large $\beta^-$-decay branching ratios to the low-lying states. Previously unobserved $\beta^-$-feeding to 3/2$^+$ states between 4.5 and 6.1~MeV excitation energy was identified with a total $\beta^-$-feeding intensity of 1.29(2)\%. The sum of the $B(GT)$ values for these states indicates that the $1s_{1/2}$ proton hole strength near this excitation energy is comparable to the previously known $1s_{1/2}$ proton and neutron hole strengths near 2.6 MeV.

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arXiv2020

Single-particle structure in neutron-rich Sr isotopes approaching the N = 60 shape transition

Background: Neutron-rich nuclei around neutron number N = 60 show a dramatic shape transition from spherical ground states to prolate deformation in 98Sr and heavier nuclei. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the single-particle structure approaching the shape transitional region. Method: The level structures of neutron-rich 93,94,95Sr were studied via the d(94,95,96Sr,t) one-neutron stripping reactions at TRIUMF using a beam energy of 5.5 AMeV. {\gamma}-rays emitted from excited states and recoiling charged particles were detected by using the TIGRESS and SHARC arrays, respectively. States were identified by gating on the excitation energy and, if possible, the coincident {\gamma} radiation. Results: Triton angular distributions for the reactions populating states in ejectile nuclei 93,94,95Sr were compared with distorted wave Born approximation calculations to assign and revise spin and parity quantum numbers and extract spectroscopic factors. The results were compared with shell model calculations and the reverse (d,p) reactions and good agreement was obtained. Conclusions: The results for the d(94Sr,t)93Sr and d(95Sr,t)94Sr reactions are in good agreement with shell model calculations. A two level mixing analysis for the 0+ states in 94Sr suggest strong mixing of two shapes. For the d(96Sr,t)95Sr reaction the agreement with the shell model is less good. The configuration of the ground state of 96Sr is already more complex than predicted, and therefore indications for the shape transition can already be observed before N = 60.

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arXiv2019

Detailed spectroscopy of $^{46}$Ca: A study of the $\beta^-$ decay of $^{46}$K

We report on high-statistics data from the $\beta^-$ decay of the $^{46}$K $J^{\pi}$ = 2$^-$ ground state taken with the GRIFFIN spectrometer located at the TRIUMF-ISAC facility. In total, 199 $\gamma$ rays and 42 excited states were placed in the level scheme, and from the observed $\beta$ feeding and angular correlations of pairs of cascading $\gamma$ rays, it was possible to assign spins and parities to excited states and determine mixing ratios for selected $\gamma$ rays. The level structure of $^{46}$Ca is compared to theoretical predictions from a microscopic valence-space Hamiltonian derived from two- (NN) and three-nucleon (3N) forces. These calculations are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data and indicate that the protons in this region are not as inert as would be expected for semi-magic nuclei.

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arXiv2019

Single-Particle Structure of Neutron-Rich Sr Isotopes Via d( 94,95,96 Sr, p) Reactions

The region around neutron number N = 60 in the neutron-rich Sr and Zr nuclei is one of the most dramatic examples of a ground state shape transition from (near) spherical below N = 60 to strongly deformed shapes in the heavier isotopes. The single-particle structure of 95-97Sr approaching the ground state shape transition at 98 Sr has been investigated via single-neutron transfer reactions using the (d, p) reaction in inverse kinematics. These reactions selectively populate states with a large overlap of the projectile ground state coupled to a neutron in a single-particle orbital. Radioactive 94,95,96Sr nuclei with energies of 5.5 AMeV were used to bombard a CD 2 target. Recoiling light charged particles and {\gamma} rays were detected using a quasi-4{\pi} silicon strip detector array and a 12 element Ge array. The excitation energy of states populated was reconstructed employing the missing mass method combined with {\gamma}-ray tagging and differential cross sections for final states were extracted. A reaction model analysis of the angular distributions allowed for firm spin assignments to be made for the low-lying 352, 556 and 681 keV excited states in 95Sr and a constraint has been placed on the spin of the higher-lying 1666 keV state. Angular distributions have been extracted for 10 states populated in the d(95Sr,p)96Sr reaction, and constraints have been provided for the spins and parities of several final states. Results are compared to shell model calculations in several model spaces and the structure of low-lying states in 94Sr and 95Sr is well-described. The spectroscopic strength of the 0+ and 2 states in 96Sr is significantly more fragmented than predicted.

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arXiv2019

Shell evolution approaching the N=20 island of inversion: Structure of 29Mg

The "Island of Inversion" for neutron-rich nuclei in the vicinity of N=20 has become the testing ground par excellence for our understanding and modelling of shell evolution with isospin. In this context, the structure of the transitional nucleus 29Mg is critical. The first quantitative measurements of the single particle structure of 29Mg are reported, using data from the d(28Mg,p gamma)29Mg reaction. Two key states carrying significant ell=3 (f-wave) strength were identified at 2.40 +/- 0.10 (Jpi = 5/2-) and 4.28 +/- 0.04 MeV (7/2-). New state-of-the-art shell model calculations have been performed and the predictions are compared in detail with the experimental results. Whilst the two lowest 7/2- levels are well described, the sharing of single-particle strength disagrees with experiment for both the 3/2- and 5/2- levels and there appear to be general problems with configurations involving the p3/2 neutron orbital and core-excited components. These conclusions are supported by an analysis of the neutron occupancies in the shell model calculations.

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arXiv2019

Observation of excited states in $^{20}$Mg sheds light on nuclear forces and shell evolution

The exotic Borromean nucleus $^{20}$Mg with $N$ = 8, located at the proton drip-line provides a unique testing ground for nuclear forces and the evolution of shell structure in the neutron-deficient region. We report on the first observation of proton unbound resonances together with bound states in $^{20}$Mg from the $^{20}$Mg($d$,$d'$) reaction performed at TRIUMF. Phenomenological shell-model calculations offer a reasonable description. However, our experimental results present a challenge for current first-principles nuclear structure approaches and point to the need for improved chiral forces and {\it ab initio} calculations. Furthermore, the differential cross section of the first excited state is compared with distorted-wave Born approximation calculations to deduce a neutron quadrupole deformation parameter of $\beta_n$=0.46$\pm$0.21. This provides the first indication of a possible weakening of the $N$ = 8 shell closure at the proton drip-line.

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arXiv2018

Isospin symmetry in $B(E2)$ values: Coulomb excitation study of ${}^{21}$Mg

The $T_z$~=~$-\frac{3}{2}$ nucleus ${}^{21}$Mg has been studied by Coulomb excitation on ${}^{196}$Pt and ${}^{110}$Pd targets. A 205.6(1)-keV $\gamma$-ray transition resulting from the Coulomb excitation of the $\frac{5}{2}^+$ ground state to the first excited $\frac{1}{2}^+$ state in ${}^{21}$Mg was observed for the first time. Coulomb excitation cross-section measurements with both targets and a measurement of the half-life of the $\frac{1}{2}^+$ state yield an adopted value of $B(E2;\frac{5}{2}^+\rightarrow\frac{1}{2}^+)$~=~13.3(4)~W.u. A new excited state at 1672(1)~keV with tentative $\frac{9}{2}^+$ assignment was also identified in ${}^{21}$Mg. This work demonstrates large difference of the $B(E2;\frac{5}{2}^+\rightarrow\frac{1}{2}^+)$ values between $T$~=~$\frac{3}{2}$, $A$~=~21 mirror nuclei. The difference is investigated in the shell-model framework employing both isospin conserving and breaking USD interactions and using modern \textsl{ab initio} nuclear structure calculations, which have recently become applicable in the $sd$ shell.

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arXiv2018

The GRIFFIN Facility for Decay-Spectroscopy Studies at TRIUMF-ISAC

Gamma-Ray Infrastructure For Fundamental Investigations of Nuclei, GRIFFIN, is a new high-efficiency $\gamma$-ray spectrometer designed for use in decay spectroscopy experiments with low-energy radioactive ion beams provided by TRIUMF's Isotope Separator and Accelerator (ISAC-I) facility. GRIFFIN is composed of sixteen Compton-suppressed large-volume clover-type high-purity germanium (HPGe) $\gamma$-ray detectors combined with a suite of ancillary detection systems and coupled to a custom digital data acquisition system. The infrastructure and detectors of the spectrometer as well as the performance characteristics and the analysis techniques applied to the experimental data are described.

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