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Brian Kootte

Publications and source records attributed to Brian Kootte.

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Analog-antianalog isospin mixing in $^{47}$K $β^-$ decay

We have measured the isospin mixing of the I$^π$= 1/2$^+$ E$_x$=2.599 MeV state in nearly-doubly-magic $^{47}$Ca with the isobaric analog 1/2$^+$ state of $^{47}$K. Using the TRIUMF atom trap for $β$ decay, we have measured a nonzero asymmetry of the progeny $^{47}$Ca with respect to the initial $^{47}$K spin polarization, which together with the $β$ asymmetry implies a nonzero ratio of Fermi to Gamow-Teller matrix elements $y$= 0.098$\pm$0.037 for the $1/2^+ \rightarrow 1/2^+$ transition. Interpreting $y$ as mixing between this state and the isobaric analog state implies a Coulomb matrix element magnitude 101 $\pm$ 37 keV. This relatively large matrix element supports a model from the literature of analog-antianalog isospin mixing, which predicts large matrix elements in cases involving excess neutrons over protons occupying more than one major shell. The result supports pursuing a search for time-reversal odd, parity-even, isovector interactions using a correlation in $^{47}$K $β$ decay.

nucl-ex

Direct mass measurements of neutron-rich zinc and gallium isotopes: an investigation of the formation of the first r-process peak

The prediction of isotopic abundances resulting from the rapid neutron capture process (r-process) requires high-precision mass measurements. Using TITAN's on-line time-of-flight spectrometer, first time mass measurements are performed for $^{83}$Zn and $^{86}$Ga. These measurements reduced uncertainties, and are used to calculate isotopic abundances near the first r-process abundance peak using astrophysical conditions present during a binary neutron star (BNS) merger. Good agreement in abundance across a range of trajectories is found when comparing to several metal-poor stars while also strongly deviating from the solar r-process pattern. These findings point to a high degree of sensitivity to the electron fraction of a BNS merger on the final elemental abundance pattern for certain elements near the first r-process peak while others display universality. We find that small changes in electron fraction can produce distinct abundance patterns that match those of metal-poor stars with different classifications.

nucl-ex