arXiv subjects

A. Görgen

Publications and source records attributed to A. Görgen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Completing the nuclear reaction puzzle of the nucleosynthesis of 92Mo

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$(p,γ)^{92}$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.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2016

Experimentally constrained ($p,γ$)$^{89}$Y and ($n,γ$)$^{89}$Y reaction rates relevant to the $p$-process nucleosynthesis

The nuclear level density and the $γ$-ray strength function have been extracted for $^{89}$Y, using the Oslo Method on $^{89}$Y($p,p' γ$)$^{89}$Y coincidence data. The $γ$-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($p,γ$)$^{89}$Y and $^{88}$Y($n,γ$)$^{89}$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.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2016

The structure of low-lying states in ${}^{140}$Sm studied by Coulomb excitation

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 $γ$ 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.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2016

Statistical properties of $^{243}$Pu, and $^{242}$Pu(n,$γ$) cross section calculation

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.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2015

Validity of the generalized Brink-Axel hypothesis in $^{238}$Np

We have analyzed primary $γ$-ray spectra of the odd-odd $^{238}$Np nucleus extracted from $^{237}$Np($d,pγ$)$^{238}$Np coincidence data measured at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory. The primary $γ$ 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 $γ$-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 $γ$ strength. In this work, using the available high-quality $^{238}$Np data, we show that the $γ$-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 $γ$ 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.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2015

Low-energy enhancement in the γ-ray strength functions of $^{73,74}$Ge

The $γ$-ray strength functions and level densities of $^{73,74}$Ge have been extracted up to the neutron separation energy S$_n$ from particle-$γ$ coincidence data using the Oslo method. Moreover, the $γ$-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$_γ\approx$ 1-13 MeV for $^{74}$Ge. The obtained data show that both $^{73,74}$Ge display an increase in strength at low $γ$ energies. The experimental $γ$-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,$γ$) 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.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2015

Experimental level densities of atomic nuclei

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.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2014

Level densities and thermodynamical properties of Pt and Au isotopes

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 $ΔS=1.9$ 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.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2014

Shell-gap reduced level densities in $^{89,90}$Y

Particle-$γ$ coincidences from the $^{89}$Y($p,p' γ$)$^{89}$Y and $^{89}$Y($d,p γ$)$^{90}$Y reactions were utilized to obtain $γ$-ray spectra as function of excitation energy. The Oslo method was used to extract the level density from the particle-$γ$ 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.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2014

Evidence for dipole nature of the low-energy $γ$ enhancement in $^{56}$Fe

The $γ$-ray strength function of $^{56}$Fe has been measured from proton-$γ$ coincidences for excitation energies up to $\approx 11$ MeV. The low-energy enhancement in the $γ$-ray strength function, which was first discovered in the ($^3$He,$αγ$)$^{56}$Fe reaction, is confirmed with the ($p,p^\primeγ$)$^{56}$Fe experiment reported here. Angular distributions of the $γ$ rays give for the first time evidence that the enhancement is dominated by dipole transitions.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2014

Observation of double pygmy resonances in $^{195,196}$Pt and enhanced astrophysical reaction rates

Our measurements of $^{195,196}$Pt $γ$-strength functions show a double-humped enhancement in the $E_γ= 4-8$ 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.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2013

Neutron-skin thickness of $^{208}$Pb, and symmetry-energy constraints from the study of the anti-analog giant dipole resonance

The $^{208}$Pb($p$,$nγ\bar p$) $^{207}$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 $γ$-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 ($ΔR_{pn}$). By comparing the theoretical results with the measured transition energy, the value of 0.190 $\pm$ 0.028 fm has been determined for $ΔR_{pn}$ 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.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2013

Transitional $γ$ strength in Cd isotopes

The level densities and $γ$-ray strength functions of $^{105,106,111,112}$Cd have been extracted from particle-$γ$ coincidence data using the Oslo method. The level densities are in very good agreement with known levels at low excitation energy. The $γ$-ray strength functions display no strong enhancement for low $γ$ energies. However, more low-energy strength is apparent for $^{105,106}$Cd than for $^{111,112}$Cd. For $γ$ energies above $\approx$ 4 MeV, there is evidence for some extra strength, similar to what has been previously observed for the Sn isotopes. The origin of this extra strength is unclear; it might be due to $E1$ and $M1$ transitions originating from neutron skin oscillations or the spin-flip resonance, respectively.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2013

Scissors resonance in the quasi-continuum of Th, Pa and U isotopes

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.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2012

Analysis of possible systematic errors in the Oslo method

In this work, we have reviewed the Oslo method, which enables the simultaneous extraction of level density and gamma-ray transmission coefficient from a set of particle-gamma coincidence data. Possible errors and uncertainties have been investigated. Typical data sets from various mass regions as well as simulated data have been tested against the assumptions behind the data analysis.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2012

High-spin structure in $^{40}$K

High-spin states of $^{40}$K have been populated in the fusion-evaporation reaction $^{12}$C($^{30}$Si,np)$^{40}$K and studied by means of $γ$-ray spectroscopy techniques using one AGATA triple cluster detector, at INFN - Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro. Several new states with excitation energy up to 8 MeV and spin up to $10^-$ have been discovered. These new states are discussed in terms of J=3 and T=0 neutron-proton hole pairs. Shell-model calculations in a large model space have shown a good agreement with the experimental data for most of the energy levels. The evolution of the structure of this nucleus is here studied as a function of excitation energy and angular momentum.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2012

Primary gamma-ray spectra in 44Ti of astrophysical interest

Primary gamma-ray spectra for a wide excitation-energy range have been extracted for 44Ti from particle-gamma coincidence data of the 46Ti(p,t gamma)44Ti reaction. These spectra reveal information on the gamma-decay pattern of the nucleus, and may be used to extract the level density and radiative strength function applying the Oslo method. Models of the level density and radiative strength function are used as input for cross-section calculations of the 40Ca(alpha,gamma)44Ti reaction. Acceptable models should reproduce data on the 40Ca(alpha,gamma)44Ti reaction cross section as well as the measured primary gamma-ray spectra. This is only achieved when a coherent normalization of the slope of the level density and radiative strength function is performed. Thus, the overall shape of the experimental primary gamma-ray spectra puts a constraint on the input models for the rate calculations.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2012

Observation of large scissors resonance strength in actinides

The orbital M1-scissors resonance (SR) has been measured for the first time in the quasi-continuum of actinides. Particle-gamma coincidences are recorded with deuteron and 3He induced reactions on 232Th. The residual nuclei 231,232,233Th and 232,233Pa show an unexpectedly strong integrated strength of $B_{M1} = 11-15 μ_{n}^{2}$ in the Egamma=1.0 - 3.5 MeV region. The increased gamma-decay probability in actinides due to the SR is important for cross-section calculations for future fuel cycles of fast nuclear reactors and may also have impact on stellar nucleosynthesis.

nucl-ex↗