arXiv subjects

C. Ugalde

Publications and source records attributed to C. Ugalde.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Direct Measurement of the $^{59}$Cu$(p,\alpha)^{56}$Ni Excitation Function to Constrain the Ni--Cu Cycle Strength and Its Impact on Explosive Nucleosynthesis

A new direct measurement of the 59Cu(p,a)56Ni excitation function from 2.43-5.88 MeV in the center-of-mass was performed in inverse kinematics using the high-efficiency MUSIC active-target detector at FRIB. This reaction plays a critical role in constraining the strength of the NiCu cycle in different explosive astrophysical scenarios such as Type I X-ray bursts and the nu-p process in neutrino-driven winds after a core-collapse supernova. The newly derived stellar rate is systematically lower than previous estimates, suppressing NiCu cycle recycling in X-ray bursts to below 3% and enhancing nu-p process efficiency throughout the relevant temperature range, potentially extending its effective operation to temperatures as high as T9 = 3.94 (+0.99/-0.85).

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arXiv2026

Detailed Study of the $^{59}$Cu(p,$\alpha)^{56}$Ni Reaction and Constraints on Its Astrophysical Reaction Rate

The $^{59}$Cu$(p,\alpha)^{56}$Ni reaction plays an important role in explosive astrophysical scenarios such as Type I X-ray bursts and the $\nu p$-process in neutrino-driven winds following a core-collapse supernova, where it regulates the flow of nucleosynthesis through the NiCu cycle and the synthesis of heavier nuclei. We present a direct measurement of the $^{59}\mathrm{Cu}(p,\alpha)^{56}\mathrm{Ni}$ excitation function from 2.43--5.88~MeV in the center-of-mass frame, performed in inverse kinematics with the high-efficiency MUSIC active-target detector at FRIB. The angle- and energy-integrated cross sections extend direct measurements to lower energies than previously reported and remove the angular-integration model dependence of earlier work. To extrapolate the rate to astrophysical energies, we constrain the statistical-model description through a systematic optimization of the DEM-3 $\alpha$-optical model potential geometry, and quantify the model-selection uncertainty with a Bayesian model averaging analysis over 96 TALYS combinations. The resulting stellar rate carries a temperature-dependent uncertainty factor of 1.26--1.63 over $T_9 = 0.2$--10 and is systematically lower than the REACLIB evaluation, remaining below the competing $(p,\gamma)$ rate for $T_9 \lesssim 3.94$. These results substantially weaken the inferred NiCu cycle strength and establish the $^{59}$Cu$(p,\gamma)^{60}$Zn rate as the dominant remaining uncertainty.

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arXiv2025

First experimental determination of the $^{40}$Ar($n,2n$)$^{39}$Ar reaction cross section and $^{39}$Ar production in Earth's atmosphere

The cosmogenic $^{39}$Ar(t$_{1/2}$= 268 years) isotope of argon is used for geophysical dating and tracing owing to its appropriate half-life and chemical inertness as a noble gas; $^{39}$Ar serves also in nuclear weapon test monitoring. We measured for the first time the total cross section of the main $^{39}$Ar cosmogenic production reaction in the atmosphere, namely $^{40}$Ar$(n,2n)^{39}$Ar, using 14.8$\pm0.3$ MeV neutrons. The neutrons, produced by a deuterium-tritium generator, impinged on a stainless steel sphere filled with Ar gas highly enriched in the $^{40}$Ar isotope. The reaction yield was measured by atom counting of $^{39}$Ar with noble gas accelerator mass spectrometry and, independently, by decay counting relative to atmospheric argon. A total $^{40}$Ar$(n,2n)^{39}$Ar cross section of 610$\pm100$ mb was determined. This result serves as a benchmark for recent theoretical calculations and evaluations, found to reproduce well the experimental total cross section. We use these energy-dependent theoretical cross sections together with experimental spectra of cosmogenic neutrons at different altitudes to calculate the global average rate of neutron-induced $^{39}$Ar atmospheric production, resulting in $770\pm240$ $^{39}$Ar atoms/cm$^2$/day. The secular equilibrium between the $^{39}$Ar calculated production rate and radioactive decay rate leads to a partial isotopic abundance $^{39}$Ar/Ar$= (5.9\pm 1.8) \times 10^{-16}$, showing that $\approx$73% of atmospheric $^{39}$Ar is produced by cosmogenic neutrons. The $^{40}$Ar($n,2n$)$^{39}$Ar cross section at 14 MeV is also a key parameter for quantifying the anthropogenic contribution to atmospheric $^{39}$Ar produced during the thermonuclear tests of the 1960s. We estimate that anthropogenic $^{39}$Ar accounts for roughly 20% of the present atmospheric inventory.

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arXiv2023

Measuring the cross section of the $^{15}$N($\alpha$,$\gamma$)$^{19}$F reaction using a single-fluid bubble chamber

$^{15}$N($\alpha$,$\gamma$)$^{19}$F is believed to be the primary means of stellar nucleosynthesis of fluorine. Here we present the use of a single-fluid bubble chamber to measure the cross section of the time-inverse photo-dissociation reaction. The method benefits from a luminosity increase of several orders of magnitude due to the use of a thicker liquid target -- when compared to thin films or gas targets -- and from the reciprocity theorem. We discuss the results of an experiment at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, where the cross section of the photodisintegration process $^{19}$F($\gamma$, $\alpha$)$^{15}$N was measured by bombarding a superheated fluid of C$_3$F$_8$ with bremsstrahlung $\gamma$-rays produced by impinging a 4 - 5.5 MeV electron beam on a Cu radiator. From the photodissociation yield the cross section was extracted by performing a convolution with a Monte Carlo-generated $\gamma$-ray beam spectrum. The measurement produced a cross section that was then time inverted using the reciprocity theorem. The cross section for the $^{15}$N($\alpha$,$\gamma$)$^{19}$F reaction was determined down to a value in the range of hundreds of picobarns. With further improvements of the experimental setup the technique could potentially push cross section measurements down to the single picobarn range.

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arXiv2022

Study of the $^{22}$Mg waiting point relevant for x-ray burst nucleosynthesis via the $^{22}$Mg($\alpha$,$p$)$^{25}$Al reaction

The $^{22}$Mg($\alpha$,$p$)$^{25}$Al reaction rate has been identified as a major source of uncertainty for understanding the nucleosynthesis flow in Type-I x-ray bursts (XRBs). We report a direct measurement of the energy- and angle-integrated cross sections of this reaction in a 3.3-6.9 MeV center-of-mass energy range using the MUlti-Sampling Ionization Chamber (MUSIC). The new $^{22}$Mg($\alpha$,$p$)$^{25}$Al reaction rate is a factor of $\sim$4 higher than the previous direct measurement of this reaction within temperatures relevant for XRBs, resulting in the $^{22}$Mg waiting point of x-ray burst nucleosynthesis flow to be significantly bypassed via the ($\alpha,p$) reaction

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arXiv2016

Study of $\boldsymbol{(α,p)}$ and $\boldsymbol{(α,n)}$ reactions with a Multi-Sampling Ionization Chamber

A large number of $(α,p)$ and $(α,n)$ reactions are known to play a fundamental role in nuclear astrophysics. This work presents a novel technique to study these reactions with the active target system MUSIC whose segmented anode allows the investigation of a large energy range of the excitation function with a single beam energy. In order to verify the method, we performed a direct measurements of the previously measured reactions $^{17}$O$(α,n)^{20}$Ne, $^{23}$Na$(α,p)^{26}$Mg, and $^{23}$Na$(α,n)^{26}$Al. These reactions were investigated in inverse kinematics using $^{4}$He gas in the detector to study the excitation function in the range of about 2 to 6 MeV in the center of mass. We found good agreement between the cross sections of the $^{17}$O$(α,n)^{20}$Ne reaction measured in this work and previous measurements. Furthermore we have successfully performed a simultaneous measurement of the $^{23}$Na$(α,p)^{26}$Mg and $^{23}$Na$(α,n)^{26}$Al reactions.

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arXiv2016

Study of the astrophysically important $\boldsymbol{^{23}\mathrm{Na}(α,p)^{26}\mathrm{Mg}}$ and $\boldsymbol{^{23}\mathrm{Na}(α,n)^{26}\mathrm{Al}}$ reactions

The $^{23}$Na$(α,p)^{26}$Mg and $^{23}$Na$(α,n)^{26}$Al reactions are important for our understanding of the $^{26}$Al abundance in massive stars. The aim of this work is to report on a direct and simultaneous measurement of these astrophysically important reactions using an active target system. The reactions were investigated in inverse kinematics using $^{4}$He as the active target gas in the detector. We measured the excitation functions in the energy range of about 2 to 6 MeV in the center of mass. We have found that the cross sections of the $^{23}$Na$(α,p)^{26}$Mg and the $^{23}$Na$(α,n)^{26}$Al reactions are in good agreement with previous experiments, and with statistical model calculations.

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arXiv2016

Independent measurement of the Hoyle state $β$ feeding from 12B using Gammasphere

Using an array of high-purity Compton-suppressed germanium detectors, we performed an independent measurement of the $β$-decay branching ratio from $^{12}\mathrm{B}$ to the second-excited (Hoyle) state in $^{12}\mathrm{C}$. Our result is $0.64(11)\%$, which is a factor $\sim 2$ smaller than the previously established literature value, but is in agreement with another recent measurement. This could indicate that the Hoyle state is more clustered than previously believed. The angular correlation of the Hoyle state $γ$ cascade has also been measured for the first time. It is consistent with theoretical predictions.

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arXiv2015

Bubble Chambers for Experiments in Nuclear Astrophysics

A bubble chamber has been developed to be used as an active target system for low energy nuclear astrophysics experiments. Adopting ideas from dark matter detection with superheated liquids, a detector system compatible with gamma-ray beams has been developed. This detector alleviates some of the limitations encountered in standard measurements of the minute cross sections of interest to stellar environments. While the astrophysically relevant nuclear reaction processes at hydrostatic burning temperatures are dominated by radiative captures, in this experimental scheme we measure the time-reversed processes. Such photodisintegrations allow us to compute the radiative capture cross sections when transitions to excited states of the reaction products are negligible. Due to the transformation of phase space, the photodisintegration cross sections are up to two orders of magnitude higher. The main advantage of the new target-detector system is a density several orders of magnitude higher than conventional gas targets. Also, the detector is virtually insensitive to the gamma-ray beam itself, thus allowing us to detect only the products of the nuclear reaction of interest. The development and the operation as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the bubble chamber are discussed.

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arXiv2012

First determination of an astrophysical cross section with a bubble chamber: the 15N(α,γ)19F reaction

We have devised a technique for measuring some of the most important nuclear reactions in stars which we expect to provide considerable improvement over previous experiments. Adapting ideas from dark matter search experiments with bubble chambers, we have found that a superheated liquid is sensitive to recoils produced from γ-rays photodisintegrating the nuclei of the liquid. The main advantage of the new target-detector system is a gain in yield of six orders of magnitude over conventional gas targets due to the higher mass density of liquids. Also, the detector is practically insensitive to the γ-ray beam itself, thus allowing it to detect only the products of the nuclear reaction of interest. The first set of tests of a superheated target with a narrow bandwidth γ-ray beam was completed and the results demonstrate the feasibility of the scheme. The new data are successfully described by an R-matrix model using published resonance parameters. With the increase in luminosity of the next generation γ-ray beam facilities, the measurement of thermonuclear rates in the stellar Gamow window would become possible.

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arXiv2011

Fusion reactions with the one-neutron halo nucleus 15C

The structure of 15C, with an s1/2 neutron weakly bound to a closed-neutron shell nucleus 14C, makes it a prime candidate for a one-neutron halo nucleus. We have for the first time studied the cross section for the fusion-fission reaction 15C + 232Th at energies in the vicinity of the Coulomb barrier and compared it to the yield of the neighboring 14C + 232Th system measured in the same experiment. At sub-barrier energies, an enhancement of the fusion yield by factors of 2-5 was observed for 15C, while the cross sections for 14C match the trends measured for 12,13C.

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arXiv2010

The neutron long counter NERO for studies of beta-delayed neutron emission in the r-process

The neutron long counter NERO was built at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL), Michigan State University, for measuring beta-delayed neutron-emission probabilities. The detector was designed to work in conjunction with a beta-decay implantation station, so that beta decays and beta-delayed neutrons emitted from implanted nuclei can be measured simultaneously. The high efficiency of about 40%, for the range of energies of interest, along with the small background, are crucial for measuring beta-delayed neutron emission branchings for neutron-rich r-process nuclei produced as low intensity fragmentation beams in in-flight separator facilities.

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arXiv2007

Experimental evidence of a natural parity state in $^{26}$Mg and its impact to the production of neutrons for the s process

We have studied natural parity states in $^{26}$Mg via the $^{22}$Ne($^{6}$Li,d)$^{26}$Mg reaction. Our method significantly improves the energy resolution of previous experiments and, as a result, we report the observation of a natural parity state in $^{26}$Mg. Possible spin-parity assignments are suggested on the basis of published $γ$-ray decay experiments. The stellar rate of the $^{22}$Ne($α$,$γ$)$^{26}$Mg reaction is reduced and may give rise to an increase in the production of s-process neutrons via the $^{22}$Ne($α$,n)$^{25}$Mg reaction.

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arXiv2006

The Uncertainties in the 22Ne + alpha-capture Reaction Rates and the Production of the Heavy Magnesium Isotopes in Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars of Intermediate Mass

We present new rates for the 22Ne(alpha, n)25Mg and 22Ne(alpha,gamma)26Mg reactions, with uncertainties that have been considerably reduced compared to previous estimates, and we study how these new rates affect the production of the heavy magnesium isotopes in models of intermediate mass Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars of different initial compositions. All the models have deep third dredge-up, hot bottom burning and mass loss. Calculations have been performed using the two most commonly used estimates of the 22Ne + alpha rates as well as the new recommended rates, and with combinations of their upper and lower limits. The main result of the present study is that with the new rates, uncertainties on the production of isotopes from Mg to P coming from the 22Ne + alpha-capture rates have been considerably reduced. We have therefore removed one of the important sources of uncertainty to effect models of AGB stars. We have studied the effects of varying the mass-loss rate on nucleosynthesis and discuss other uncertainties related to the physics employed in the computation of stellar structure, such as the modeling of convection, the inclusion of a partial mixing zone and the definition of convective borders. These uncertainties are found to be much larger than those coming from 22Ne + alpha-capture rates, when using our new estimates. Much effort is needed to improve the situation for AGB models.

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arXiv2005

The effect of the 19F(alpha,p)22Ne reaction rate uncertainty on the yield of fluorine from Wolf-Rayet Stars

In the light of recent recalculations of the \el{19}{F}(alpha,p)\el{22}{Ne} reaction rate we present results of the expected yield of \el{19}{F} from Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars. We have computed models using the upper and lower limits for the rate in addition to the recommended rate and hence we constrain the uncertainty in the yield with respect to this reaction. We find a yield of 3.1x10^{-4}M_sol of \el{19}{F} with our recommended rate and a difference of a factor of two between the yields computed with the upper and lower limits. In comparison with previous work we find a difference in the yield of approximately a factor of 4, connected to a different choice of mass loss. Model uncertainties must be carefully evaluated in order to obtain a reliable estimate of the yield of fluorine from WR stars together with its uncertainties.

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