arXiv subjects

E. A. McCutchan

Publications and source records attributed to E. A. McCutchan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

High-spin spectroscopy and the onset of quasicollective structures in $^{69}$Ga

The intermediate- and high-spin level structure of the odd-$A$ $^{69}$Ga nucleus was investigated via the $^{26}$Mg($^{48}$Ca, $p4nγ$) fusion evaporation reaction at a beam energy of 195 MeV. The experiment was performed using the Gammasphere multidetector array in conjunction with the Fragment Mass Analyzer (FMA), with mass and charge identification achieved via an ionization chamber placed at the focal plane of the spectrometer. Coincidence relationships between the $^{69}$Ga reaction products and emitted $γ$ rays were analyzed to establish the level sequences, while angular distribution and angular correlation measurements were used to propose spin and parity assignments. As a result, the level scheme of the nucleus has been considerably extended. Near the ground state, the structure of $^{69}$Ga is well described by single-particle excitations, with shell-model calculations using the JUN45 and jj44b effective interactions providing a satisfactory interpretation of the observed levels. At spins in excess of 21/2 $\hbar$, three sequences of $E2$ transitions have been delineated, suggesting the onset of collectivity. An interpretation within the framework of the tilted-axis-cranking covariant density functional theory is proposed which reveals the role of $g_{9/2}$ protons and neutrons in this angular momentum regime.

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arXiv2024

Determination of the spins and parities for the 0$_{4}^{+}$ and 0$_{5}^{+}$ states in $^{100}$Zr

Two 0$^{+}$ states at 1294.5 and 1774.0 keV, together with three 2$^{+}$ and one 4$^{+}$ levels, were identified or unambiguously spin-parity assigned for the first time in $^{100}$Zr utilizing $γ$-ray spectroscopy and $γ$-$γ$ angular correlation techniques with the Gammasphere spectrometer, following the $β^{-}$ decay of neutron-rich, mass separated $^{100,100m}$Y isotopes. Comparisons with recent Monte Carlo Shell-Model (MCSM) calculations indicate that these two states are candidates for the bandhead of a sequence in a shape-coexisting spherical minimum predicted to be located around $\approx$1500 keV. According to the measured relative B(E2)$_{relative}$ transition probabilities, the 0$_{5}^{+}$ state exhibits decay properties which more closely align with those predicted for a spherical shape, while the 0$_{4}^{+}$ level is suggested to be associated with a weakly-deformed shape similar to one related to the 0$_{2}^{+}$ state.

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arXiv2023

Can decay heat measurements tell us something about the Reactor Antineutrino Anomaly?

Measurements of the decay energy released as a function of time following the thermal neutron induced fission on $^{235}$U and $^{239,241}$Pu were performed in the 1970s at Oak Ridge National Laboratory with the purpose of quantifying possible Loss Of Coolant Accident scenarios. This decay energy, known in technical parlance as decay heat, is mainly composed of two terms, that of the electrons produced together with antineutrinos in the beta-minus decay of the neutron-rich fission products, and that of the gammas produced in the subsequent decay of excited nuclear levels. In this work we study if this extensive set of decay heat measurements can be used to assess the Reactor Antineutrino Anomaly, that is, the approximately 5\% deficit of electron antineutrinos produced by nuclear reactors, first deduced by Mention and collaborators in 2011, and observed by the major reactor antineutrino experiments near nuclear power plants since. With the assistance of nuclear databases, we are able to obtain the ratio of electron spectra under equilibrium conditions for $^{235}$U to $^{239}$Pu, in better agreement with the lower trend recently reported by Kopeikin and collaborators, as well as those for $^{235}$U to $^{241}$Pu and $^{241}$Pu to $^{239}$Pu, which do not agree well with those measured at the Insitut Laue-Langevin in the 1980s. We conclude that a new experimental campaign is needed to measure the electron spectra utilizing a high-resolution and signal-to-noise-ratio electron spectrometer and a highly precise fission normalization procedure.

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arXiv2021

Development of a Reference Database for Beta-Delayed Neutron Emission

Beta-delayed neutron emission is important for nuclear structure and astrophysics as well as for reactor applications. Significant advances in nuclear experimental techniques in the past two decades have led to a wealth of new measurements that remain to be incorporated in the databases. We report on a coordinated effort to compile and evaluate all the available beta-delayed neutron emission data. The different measurement techniques have been assessed and the data have been compared with semi-microscopic and microscopic-macroscopic models. The new microscopic database has been tested against aggregate total delayed neutron yields, time-dependent group parameters in 6-and 8-group re-presentation, and aggregate delayed neutron spectra. New recommendations of macroscopic delayed-neutron data for fissile materials of interest to applications are also presented. The new Reference Database for Beta-Delayed Neutron Emission Data is available online at: http://www-nds.iaea.org/beta-delayed-neutron/database.html.

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arXiv2020

Multi-nucleon transfer in the interaction of 977 MeV and 1143 MeV $^{204}$Hg with $^{208}$Pb

A previous study of symmetric collisions of massive nuclei has shown that current models of multi-nucleon transfer (MNT) reactions do not adequately describe the transfer product yields. To gain further insight into this problem, we have measured the yields of MNT products in the interaction of 977 (E/A = 4.79 MeV) and 1143 MeV (E/A = 5.60 MeV) $^{204}$Hg with $^{208}$Pb. We find that the yield of multi-nucleon transfer products are similar in these two reactions and are substantially lower than those observed in the reaction of 1257 MeV (E/A = 6.16 MeV) $^{204}$Hg + $^{198}$Pt. We compare our measurements with the predictions of the GRAZING-F, di-nuclear systems (DNS) and improved quantum molecular dynamics (ImQMD) models. For the observed isotopes of the elements Au, Hg, Tl, Pb and Bi, the measured values of the MNT cross sections are orders of magnitude larger than the predicted values. Furthermore, the various models predict the formation of nuclides near the N=126 shell, which are not observed.

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arXiv2020

Observation of $γ$-vibrations and alignments built on non-ground-state configurations in 156Dy

The exact nature of the lowest $K^π=2_γ^+$ rotational bands in all deformed nuclei remains obscure. Traditionally they are assumed to be collective vibrations of the nuclear shape in the $γ$ degree of freedom perpendicular to the nuclear symmetry axis. Very few such $γ$-bands have been traced past the usual back-bending rotational alignments of high-j nucleons. We have investigated the structure of positive-parity bands in the N=90 nucleus 156Dy, using the 148Nd(12C,4n)156Dy reaction at 65 MeV, observing the resulting $γ$-ray transitions with the Gammasphere array. The even- and odd-spin members of the $K^π=2_γ^+$ $γ$-band are observed to 32+ and 31+ respectively. This rotational band faithfully tracks the ground-state configuration to the highest spins. The members of a possible $γ$-vibration built on the aligned yrast S-band are observed to spins 28+ and 27+. An even-spin positive-parity band, observed to spin 24+, is a candidate for an aligned S-band built on the seniority-zero configuration of the $0_2^+$ state at 676 keV. The crossing of this band with the $0_2^+$ band is at $\hbarω$= 0.28(1) MeV and is consistent with the configuration of the $0_2^+$ band not producing any blocking of the monopole pairing.

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arXiv2017

Revealing Fine Structure in the Antineutrino Spectra From a Nuclear Reactor

We calculate the Inverse Beta Decay (IBD) antineutrino spectrum generated by nuclear reactors using the summation method to understand deviations from the smooth Huber-Mueller model due to the decay of individual fission products, showing that plotting the ratio of two adjacent spectra points can effectively reveal these deviations. We obtained that for binning energies of 0.1 MeV or lower, abrupt changes in the spectra due to the jagged nature of the individual antineutrino spectra could be observed for highly precise experiments. Surprisingly, our calculations also reveal a peak-like feature in the adjacent points ratio plot at 4.5 MeV even with a 0.25 MeV binning interval, which we find is present in the IBD Daya Bay spectrum published in 2016. We show that this 4.5 MeV feature is caused by the contributions of just four fission products, 95Y, 98,101N and 102Tc. This would be the first evidence of the decay of a few fission products in the IBD antineutrino spectrum from a nuclear reactor.

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arXiv2016

Single-particle and collective excitations in $^{62}$Ni

{\bf Background:} Level sequences of rotational character have been observed in several nuclei in the $A=60$ mass region. The importance of the deformation-driving $πf_{7/2}$ and $νg_{9/2}$ orbitals on the onset of nuclear deformation is stressed.\\ {\bf Purpose:} A measurement was performed in order to identify collective rotational structures in the relatively neutron-rich $^{62}$Ni isotope. \\ {\bf Method:} The $^{26}$Mg($^{48}$Ca,2$α$4$nγ$)$^{62}$Ni complex reaction at beam energies between 275 and 320~MeV was utilized. Reaction products were identified in mass ($A$) and charge ($Z$) with the Fragment Mass Analyzer (FMA) and $γ$ rays were detected with the Gammasphere array. \\ {\bf Results:} Two collective bands, built upon states of single-particle character, were identified and sizable deformation was assigned to both sequences based on the measured transitional quadrupole moments, herewith quantifying the deformation at high spin. \\ {\bf Conclusions:} Based on Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations and comparisons with deformed bands in the $A=60$ mass region, the two rotational bands are understood as being associated with configurations involving multiple $f_{7/2}$ protons and $g_{9/2}$ neutrons, driving the nucleus to sizable prolate deformation.

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arXiv2015

$γ$-soft $^{146}$Ba and the role of non-axial shapes at N ~ 90

Low-spin states in the neutron-rich, N = 90 nuclide $^{146}$Ba were populated following $β$-decay of $^{146}$Cs, with the goal of clarifying the development of deformation in Ba isotopes through delineation of their non-yrast structures. Fission fragments of $^{146}$Cs were extracted from a 1.7-Ci $^{252}$Cf source and mass-selected using the CARIBU facility. Low-energy ions were deposited at the center of a box of thin $β$ detectors, surrounded by a high-efficiency HPGe array. The new $^{146}$Ba decay scheme now contains 31 excited levels extending up to ~2.5 MeV excitation energy, double what was previously known. These data are compared to predictions from the Interacting Boson Approximation (IBA) model. It appears that the abrupt shape change found at N = 90 in Sm and Gd is much more gradual in Ba and Ce, due to an enhanced role of the $γ$ degree of freedom.

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arXiv2015

The X-Array and SATURN: A new decay-spectroscopy station for CARIBU

A new decay-spectroscopy station has been commissioned for experiments with low-energy, fission-fragment radioactive beams from the CARIBU ion source. The new set-up consists of the 'X-array', a highly-efficient array of HPGe clover detectors, and 'SATURN' (Scintillator And Tape Using Radioactive Nuclei), a plastic scintillator detector combined with a tape-transport system for detection of beta particles and removal of long-lived isobaric decay products.

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arXiv2015

The $^{136}$Xe + $^{208}$Pb reaction: A test of models of multi-nucleon transfer reactions

The yields of over 200 projectile-like fragments (PLFs) and target-like fragments (TLFs) from the interaction of (E$_{c.m.}$=450 MeV) $^{136}$Xe with a thick target of $^{208}$Pb were measured using Gammasphere and off-line $γ$-ray spectroscopy, giving a comprehensive picture of the production cross sections in this reaction.The measured yields were compared to predictions of the GRAZING model and the predictions of Zagrebaev and Greiner using a quantitative metric, the theory evaluation factor, {\bf tef}. The GRAZING model predictions are adequate for describing the yields of nuclei near the target or projectile but grossly underestimate the yields of all other products. The predictions of Zagrebaev and Greiner correctly describe the magnitude and maxima of the observed TLF transfer cross sections for a wide range of transfers ($Δ$Z = -8 to $Δ$Z = +2). However for $Δ$Z =+4, the observed position of the maximum in the distribution is four neutrons richer than the predicted maximum. The predicted yields of the neutron-rich N=126 nuclei exceed the measured values by two orders of magnitude. Correlations between TLF and PLF yields are discussed.

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arXiv2015

The role of the g9/2 orbital in the development of collectivity in the A = 60 region: The case of 61Co

An extensive study of the level structure of 61Co has been performed following the complex 26Mg(48Ca, 2a4npg)61Co reaction at beam energies of 275, 290 and 320 MeV using Gammasphere and the Fragment Mass Analyzer (FMA). The low-spin structure is discussed within the framework of shell-model calculations using the GXPF1A effective interaction. Two quasi-rotational bands consisting of stretched-E2 transitions have been established up to spins I = 41/2 and (43/2), and excitation energies of 17 and 20 MeV, respectively. These are interpreted as signature partners built on a neutron ν(g9/2)2 configuration coupled to a proton πp3/2 state, based on Cranked Shell Model (CSM) calculations and comparisons with observations in neighboring nuclei. In addition, four I = 1 bands were populated to high spin, with the yrast dipole band interpreted as a possible candidate for the shears mechanism, a process seldom observed thus far in this mass region.

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arXiv2013

High-spin transition quadrupole moments in neutron-rich Mo and Ru nuclei: testing $γ$ softness?

The transition quadrupole moments, $Q_{t}$, of rotational bands in the neutron-rich, even-mass $^{102-108}$Mo and $^{108-112}$Ru nuclei were measured in the 8 to 16 $\hbar $ spin range with the Doppler-shift attenuation method. The nuclei were populated as fission fragments from $^{252}$Cf fission. The detector setup consisted of the Gammasphere spectrometer and the HERCULES fast-plastic array. At moderate spin, the $Q_{t}$ moments are found to be reduced with respect to the values near the ground states. Attempts to describe the observations in mean-field-based models, specifically cranked relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory, illustrate the challenge theory faces and the difficulty to infer information on $γ$ softness and triaxiality from the data.

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arXiv2012

On the lifetime of the 2+ state in 10C

The lifetime of the J=2+ state in 10C was measured using the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method following the inverse kinematics p(10B,n)10C reaction at 95 MeV. The 2+ state, at 3354 keV, has tau = 219\pm(7)stat \pm(10)sys fs corresponding to a B(E2) # of 8.8(3) e2fm4. This measurement,combined with that recently determined for 10Be (9.2(3) e2fm4), provides a unique challenge to abinitio calculations, testing the structure of these states, including the isospin symmetry of the wave functions. Quantum Monte Carlo calculations using realistic two- and three-nucleon Hamiltonians that reproduce the 10Be B(E2) value generally predict a larger 10C B(E2) probability but with considerable sensitivity to the admixture of different spatial symmetry components in the wave functions, and to the three-nucleon potential used.

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arXiv2010

Multi-quasiparticle structures up to spin $\sim{44}\hbar$ in the odd-odd nucleus $^{168}$Ta

High-spin states in the odd-odd nucleus $^{168}$Ta have been populated in the $^{120}$Sn($^{51}$V,3n) reaction. Two multi-quasiparticle structures have been extended significantly from spin $\sim{20\hbar}$ to above ${40\hbar}$. As a result, the first rotational alignment has been fully delineated and a second band crossing has been observed for the first time in this nucleus. Configurations for these strongly-coupled rotational bands are proposed based on signature splitting, $B(M1)/B(E2)$ ratio information, and observed rotation-alignment behavior. Properties of the observed bands in $^{168}$Ta are compared to related structures in the neighboring odd-$Z$, odd-$N$, and odd-odd nuclei and are discussed within the framework of the cranked shell model.

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arXiv2009

SU(3) quasidynamical symmetry underlying the Alhassid--Whelan arc of regularity

The first example of an empirically manifested quasi dynamical symmetry trajectory in the interior of the symmetry triangle of the Interacting Boson Approximation model is identified for large boson numbers. Along this curve, extending from SU(3) to near the critical line of the first order phase transition, spectra exhibit nearly the same degeneracies that characterize the low energy levels of SU(3). This trajectory also lies close to the Alhassid-Whelan arc of regularity, the unique interior region of regular behavior connecting the SU(3) and U(5) vertices, thus offering a possible symmetry-based interpretation of that narrow zone of regularity amidst regions of more chaotic spectra.

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arXiv2009

Regularities and symmetries of subsets of collective 0+ states

The energies of subsets of excited 0+ states in geometric collective models are investigated and found to exhibit intriguing regularities. In models with an infinite square well potential, it is found that a single formula, dependent on only the number of dimensions, describes a subset of 0+ states. The same behavior of a subset of 0+ states is seen in the large boson number limit of the Interacting Boson Approximation (IBA) model near the critical point of a first order phase transition, in contrast to the fact that these 0+ state energies exhibit a harmonic behavior in all three limiting symmetries of the IBA. Finally, the observed regularities in 0+ energies are analyzed in terms of the underlying group theoretical framework of the different models.

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arXiv2009

Precise electromagnetic tests of ab-initio calculations of light nuclei: States in $^{10}$Be

In order to test {\it ab-initio} calculations of light nuclei, we have remeasured lifetimes in $^{10}$Be using the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM) following the $^{7}$Li($^7$Li,$α$)$^{10}$Be reaction at 8 and 10 MeV. The new experiments significantly reduce systematic uncertainties in the DSAM technique. The J$^π$ = $2^+_1$ state at 3.37 MeV has $τ$ = 205${\pm}$(5)$_{stat}\pm$(7)$_{sys}$ fs corresponding to a $B$($E2\downarrow$) of 9.2(3) $e^2$fm$^4$ in broad agreement with many calculations. The J$^π$ = $2^+_2$ state at 5.96 MeV was found to have a $B$($E2\downarrow$) of 0.11(2) $e^2$fm$^4$ and provides a more discriminating test of nuclear models. New Green's Function Monte Carlo (GFMC) calculations for these states and transitions with a number of Hamiltonians are also reported and compared to experiment.

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