arXiv subjects

F. Le Blanc

Publications and source records attributed to F. Le Blanc.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Data sorting modes of phoswich detector array

The different data-sorting modes of the phoswich detector array PARIS used for detecting high-energy (4$-$10 MeV) $γ$ rays are investigated. The characteristics including time resolution, energy resolution and detection efficiency under various modes are studied. The present study shows that PARIS has capabilities of rejecting escape and pileup events when used for decay spectroscopy. Notably, the methods presented in this work refer specifically to the $β$-decay experiment of $^{80g+m}$Ga conducted with three PARIS clusters comprising 27 phoswich detectors, rather than to a general report on the PARIS array or its overall performance for in-beam spectroscopy. Compared with the 2"$\times$2"$\times$2" LaBr$_3$(Ce) detector (Ciemała et al., 2009), even in individual mode, PARIS provides significant suppression of single- and double-escape peaks and reduces background via vetoing function of the outer-volume NaI(Tl) crystals. In contrast to the common approach of adding back the energies in LaBr$_3$(Ce) and NaI(Tl) to increase the detection efficiency of the full-energy peak, using NaI(Tl) as a veto shield provides a superior trade-off for applications where spectral purity is essential. Employing add-back analysis within each cluster of nine phoswiches or between all phoswiches could enhance full-energy peak efficiency and further suppress escape peaks and background. Applying a multiplicity condition provides a further suppression but simultaneously lowers the statistics of full-energy peaks.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

$β$-delayed spectroscopy of $^{80}$Ge$_{48}$ and competition between Gamow-Teller and first-forbidden transitions in $^{80g+m}$Ga$_{49}$ $β$ decay

The $β$-delayed spectroscopy of $^{80}$Ge has been studied using sources of ground and low-lying isomeric states of $^{80}$Ga. A hybrid $γ$-ray spectrometer was used, composed of high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors for low-energy $γ$-ray detection, phoswich detectors from the PARIS array for high-energy $γ$ rays and a plastic detector for $β$ tagging. The new decay level schemes are presented, with 13 and 14 states $β$ populated by $^{80g}$Ga and $^{80m}$Ga, respectively, being reported for the first time. We quantitatively compare summed intensities of first-forbidden and previously reported Gamow-Teller $β$ transitions [R. Li et al., \href{https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.111.034303}{Phys. Rev. C 111, 034303 (2025)}]. The upper-limit fractions of first-forbidden transitions contributing to the decays of $^{80g}$Ga and $^{80m}$Ga are (48.0 $\pm$ 2.7)$\%$ and (47.9 $\pm$ 3.3)$\%$ of the observed total $β$ transition intensities of (78.2 $\pm$ 2.5)$\%$ and (82.2 $\pm$ 3.7)$\%$, respectively. Notably, the half-lives decrease in accordance with the upper limits of (48.0 $\pm$ 6.0)$\%$ [3.67(20) s $\rightarrow$ 1.91(3) s] and (47.9 $\pm$ 7.2)$\%$ [3.01(19) s $\rightarrow$ 1.57(1) s] for $^{80g}$Ga and $^{80m}$Ga, respectively, when including first-forbidden transitions, in contrast to those by Gamow-Teller transitions only.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2025

Simultaneous impacts of nuclear shell structure and collectivity on $β$ decay: Evidence from $^{80}$Ga$_{49}$

The Gamow-Teller strength distribution covering the entire $β$-decay window, up to 10.312(4) MeV, of $^{80g+m}$Ga was measured for the first time in photo fission of UC$_x$ induced by a 50 MeV electron beam. The new data show significant enhancement in the high-energy region with a jump structure. Simultaneously, the $γ$ deexciting behavior of $β$-populated states presents a competition between deexcitation to 2$_1^+$ [$β_2$ = 0.155(9)] and to 2$_2^+$ [$β_2$ = 0.053$_{0.009}^{0.008}$)] in $^{80}$Ge. To understand these data, we performed a realistic shell-model calculation and systematic analysis of log $\it{ft}$ ratios between precursors' $β$ decay to 2$_2^+$ and to 2$_1^+$ of Ga isotopes. We conclude that these phenomena evidence simultaneous impacts of nuclear shell structure and collectivity on $\it{B}$(GT) distribution and therefore the half-life of the precursor.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2024

High-resolution spectroscopy of neutron-rich Br isotopes and signatures for a prolate-to-oblate shape transition at N=56

The first systematic experimental study of the neutron-rich Br isotopes with two complementary state-of-the-art techniques is presented. These isotopes have been populated in the fission process at two different facilities, GANIL and ILL. New spectroscopic information has been obtained for odd-even $^{87-93}$Br isotopes and the experimental results have been compared with state-of-the-art Large-Scale Shell-Model and DNO Shell-Model calculations. As a result of such theoretical approaches, a transition from prolate ($^{87,89}$Br) to oblate ($^{91,93}$Br) shapes is obtained from the subtle balance between proton and neutron quadrupole deformations, as a clear signature of pseudo-SU3 quadrupole regime.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2022

Structure of $^{83}$As, $^{85}$As and $^{87}$As: from semi-magicity to $γ$-softness

The structure of $^{83}$As, $^{85}$As and $^{87}$As have been studied in fusion-fission reaction $^{238}$U+$^9$Be. Fission fragments were identified in mass and atomic number using the VAMOS++ spectrometer and the coincident $γ$-rays were detected in the $γ$-ray tracking array AGATA. New transitions in $^{83}$As and $^{85}$As are reported and placed in the level schemes. A level scheme of the excited states in $^{87}$As is proposed for the first time. The data are interpreted in frame of Large-Scale Shell-Model calculations, SU3 symmetries and Beyond Mean-Field frameworks. A spherical regime at magic number $N$=50 is predicted and the location of the proton $g_{9/2}$ orbital is proposed for the first time. Development of collectivity in a prolate deformed, $γ$-soft regime in the open shell cases $^{85}$As and $^{87}$As, most neutron-rich isotopes beyond $N$=50, is concluded. Data and theoretical calculations give confidence to a relatively high extrapolated excitation energy about 4 MeV of the $9/2^+$ state in $^{79}$Cu, one proton above $^{78}$Ni.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2012

AGATA - Advanced Gamma Tracking Array

The Advanced GAmma Tracking Array (AGATA) is a European project to develop and operate the next generation gamma-ray spectrometer. AGATA is based on the technique of gamma-ray energy tracking in electrically segmented high-purity germanium crystals. This technique requires the accurate determination of the energy, time and position of every interaction as a gamma ray deposits its energy within the detector volume. Reconstruction of the full interaction path results in a detector with very high efficiency and excellent spectral response. The realization of gamma-ray tracking and AGATA is a result of many technical advances. These include the development of encapsulated highly-segmented germanium detectors assembled in a triple cluster detector cryostat, an electronics system with fast digital sampling and a data acquisition system to process the data at a high rate. The full characterization of the crystals was measured and compared with detector-response simulations. This enabled pulse-shape analysis algorithms, to extract energy, time and position, to be employed. In addition, tracking algorithms for event reconstruction were developed. The first phase of AGATA is now complete and operational in its first physics campaign. In the future AGATA will be moved between laboratories in Europe and operated in a series of campaigns to take advantage of the different beams and facilities available to maximize its science output. The paper reviews all the achievements made in the AGATA project including all the necessary infrastructure to operate and support the spectrometer.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2009

Matrix formalism and singular-value decomposition for the location of gamma interactions in segmented HPGe detectors

Modern coaxial and planar HPGe detectors allow a precise determination of the energies and trajectories of the impinging gamma-rays. This entails the location of the gamma interactions inside the crystal from the shape of the delivered signals. This paper reviews the state of the art of the analysis of the HPGe response function and proposes methods that lead to optimum signal decomposition. The generic matrix method allows fast location of the interactions even when the induced signals strongly overlap.

physics.data-an↗

arXiv2009

Kolmogorov-Smirnov method for the determination of signal time-shifts

A new method for the determination of electric signal time-shifts is introduced. As the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, it is based on the comparison of the cumulative distribution functions of the reference signal with the test signal. This method is very fast and thus well suited for on-line applications. It is robust to noise and its performances in terms of precision are excellent for time-shifts ranging from a fraction to several sample durations. PACS. 29.40.Gx (Tracking and position-sensitive detectors), 29.30.Kv (X- and -ray spectroscopy), 07.50.Qx (Signal processing electronics)

physics.data-an↗

arXiv2009

Fast analytical methods for the correction of signal random time-shifts and application to segmented HPGe detectors

Detection systems rely more and more on on-line or off-line comparison of detected signals with basis signals in order to determine the characteristics of the impinging particles. Unfortunately, these comparisons are very sensitive to the random time shifts that may alter the signal delivered by the detectors. We present two fast algebraic methods to determine the value of the time shift and to enhance the reliability of the comparison to the basis signals.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2009

NNLC: Non-Negative Least Chi-square minimization and application to HPGe detectors

A new method is proposed for the problem of solving chi-square minimization with a positive solution. This method is embodied in an evolution of the popular NNLS algorithm. Its efficiency with respect to residue minimization is illustrated by the improvement it permits on the location of gamma-interactions inside an AGATA HPGe detector.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2007

Low Energy States of $^{81}_{31} Ga_{50}$ : Elements on the Doubly-Magic Nature of $^{78}$Ni

Excited levels were attributed to $^{81}_{31}$Ga$_{50}$ for the first time which were fed in the $β$-decay of its mother nucleus $^{81}$Zn produced in the fission of $^{nat}$U using the ISOL technique. We show that the structure of this nucleus is consistent with that of the less exotic proton-deficient N=50 isotones within the assumption of strong proton Z=28 and neutron N=50 effective shell effects.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2006

Study of the N=50 major shell effect close to $^{78}$Ni : First evidence of a weak coupling structure in $^{83}\_{32}$Ge$\_{51}$ and three-proton configuration states in $^{81}\_{31}$Ga$\_{50}$

New levels were attributed to $^{81}\_{31}$Ga$\_{50}$ and $^{83}\_{32}$Ge$\_{51}$ which were fed by the $β$-decay of their respective mother nuclei $^{81}\_{30}$Zn$\_{51}$ and $^{83}\_{31}$Ga$\_{52}$ produced by fission at the "PARRNe" ISOL set-up installed at the Tandem accelerator of the Institut de Physique Nucléaire, Orsay. We show that the low energy structure of $^{81}\_{31}$Ga$\_{50}$ and $^{83}\_{32}$Ge$\_{51}$ can easily be explained within the natural hypothesis of a strong energy gap at N=50 and a doubly-magic character for $^{78}$Ni.

nucl-ex↗