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H. Lenske

Publications and source records attributed to H. Lenske.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Lepton Double Charge Exchange Reactions as Probes for Lepton Number Violation

Lepton number violating (LNV) $A(e^-,e^+)X$ double charge exchange (LDCE) reactions on nuclei at accelerator facilities with multi-GeV beams are proposed as a probe for physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM). A second order formalism is presented including LNV dynamics by the left-right symmetric model (LRSM). For practical studies a phenomenological model is used to estimate LDCE cross sections numerically. Sizable cross sections are predicted for multi-GeV beam energies. LDCE reactions proceed preferentially by the energy-momentum dependent left-right mixing terms. While Majorana mass terms are negligible for light neutrinos, they may become sizable for heavy neutral leptons at higher beam energies. In the ~10 GeV region inclusive total LDCE cross sections of about $100\times|\Gamma_{BSM}|^2$~fb in units of the BSM vertices are predicted, increasing strongly with energy and target mass. LDCE experiments seem to be feasible with existing equipment under full laboratory control and free of the constraints imposed on decay or capture experiments of nuclear and hadronic systems.

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arXiv2023

Direct demonstration of the two-phonon structure of the $J^{\pi} = 1_{4742~\mathrm{keV}}^{-}$ state of $^{88}$Sr

We have studied the decay pattern of the $J^{\pi} = 1_{4742~\mathrm{keV}}^{-}$ state of $^{88}$Sr to probe its quadrupole-octupole coupled two-phonon structure. In particular, a unique fingerprint to prove the two-phonon nature is the $E2$ decay strength of the $1_{4742~\mathrm{keV}}^{-} \to 3_{1}^{-}$ transition into the one-octupole-phonon state. $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy was performed after the $\beta$-decay of $^{88}$Rb to obtain the necessary sensitivity for this weak-intensity decay branch. Sufficient amounts of $^{88}$Rb (T$_{1/2}$ = 17.8 min) were produced by neutron activation of natural Rb in the TR IGA Mark II reactor. The results show that the $B(E2)$ value of the $1_{4742~\mathrm{keV}}^{-} \to 3_{1}^{-}$ transition is equal to the $B(E2)$ of the $2_{1}^{+} \to 0_{1}^{+}$ transition, directly demonstrating the quadrupole-octupole coupled two-phonon nature of the $1^-$ state. A comparison of the results with energy-density functional plus quasiparticle-phonon model calculations shows rema rkable agreement, corroborating this assignment.

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arXiv2022

Multi-channel experimental and theoretical constraints for the $^{116}$Cd($^{20}$Ne,$^{20}$F)$^{116}$In charge exchange reaction at 306 MeV

Charge exchange (CE) reactions offer a major opportunity to excite nuclear isovector modes, providing clues about the nuclear interaction in the medium. Moreover, double charge exchange (DCE) reactions are proving to be a tempting tool to access nuclear transition matrix elements (NME) related to double beta-decay processes. Through a multi-channel experimental analysis and a consistent theoretical approach of the $^{116}$Cd($^{20}$Ne,$^{20}$F)$^{116}$In single charge exchange (SCE) reaction at 306 MeV, we aim at disentangling from the experimental cross section the contribution of the competing mechanisms, associated with second or higher order sequential transfer and inelastic processes. We measured excitation energy spectra and absolute cross sections for elastic + inelastic, one-proton transfer and SCE channels, using the MAGNEX large acceptance magnetic spectrometer to detect the ejectiles. For the first two channels, we also extracted the experimental cross section angular distributions. The experimental data are compared with theoretical predictions obtained by performing two-step distorted wave Born approximation and coupled reaction channel calculations. We employ spectroscopic amplitudes for single-particle transitions derived within a large-scale shell model approach and different optical potentials for modeling the initial and the final state interactions. The present study significantly mitigates the possible model dependence existing in the description of these complex reaction mechanisms, thanks to the reproduction of several channels at once. In particular, our work demonstrates that the two-step transfer mechanisms produce a non negligible contribution to the total cross section of the $^{116}$Cd($^{20}$Ne,$^{20}$F)$^{116}$In reaction channel, although a relevant fraction is still missing, being ascribable to the direct SCE mechanism, which is not addressed here.

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arXiv2021

Systematic study of {\Delta}(1232) resonance excitations using single isobaric charge-exchange reactions induced by medium-mass projectiles of Sn

The fragment separator FRS has been for the first time used to measure the (n,p) and (p,n)-type isobaric charge-exchange cross sections of stable 112,124Sn isotopes accelerated at 1A GeV with an uncertainty of 3% and to separate quasi-elastic and inelastic components in the missing-energy spectra of the ejectiles. The inelastic contribution can be associated to the excitation of isobar {\Delta}(1232) resonances and to the pion emission in s-wave, both in the target and projectile nuclei, while the quasi-elastic contribution is associated to the nuclear spin-isospin response of nucleon-hole excitations. The data lead to interesting results where we observe a clear quenching of the quasi-elastic component and their comparisons to theoretical calculations demonstrate that the baryonic resonances can be excited in the target and projectile nuclei. To go further in this investigation, we propose to study the excitation of baryonic resonances taking advantage of the combination of high-resolving power magnetic spectrometers with the WASA calorimeter. These new measurements will allow us to determine the momenta of the ejectiles and pions emitted in coincidence after the single isobaric charge-exchange collisions, providing us unique opportunities to study the evolution of the baryonic resonance dynamics with the neutron-proton asymmetry through the use of exotic radioactive ion beams.

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arXiv2021

Analysis of two-nucleon transfer reactions in the 20Ne + 116Cd system at 306 MeV

Background: Heavy-ion induced two-nucleon transfer reactions are powerful tools to reveal peculiar aspects of the atomic nucleus, such as pairing correlations, single-particle and collective degrees of freedom, and more. Also, these processes are in competition with the direct meson exchange in the double charge exchange reactions, which have recently attracted great interest due to their possible connection to neutrinoless double-beta decay. In this framework, the exploration of two-nucleon transfer reactions in the 20Ne+116Cd collision at energies above the Coulomb barrier is particularly relevant since the 116Cd nucleus is a candidate for the double-beta decay. Methods: We measured the excitation energy spectra and absolute cross sections for the two reactions using the MAGNEX large acceptance magnetic spectrometer to detect the ejectiles. We performed direct coupled reaction channels and sequential distorted wave Born approximation calculations using the double folding S\~ao Paulo potential to model the initial and final state interactions. The spectroscopic amplitudes for two- and singleparticle transitions were derived by different nuclear structure approaches: microscopic large-scale shell model, interacting boson model-2 and quasiparticle random phase approximation. Results: The calculations are able to reproduce the experimental cross sections for both two-neutron and twoproton transfer reactions. The role of couplings with the inelastic channels are found to be important in the two-proton transfer case. A competition between the direct and the sequential process is found in the reaction mechanism. For the two-proton transfer case, the inclusion of the 1g7/2 and 2d5/2 orbitals in the model space is crucial.

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arXiv2020

Application of Regge-theory to astronomical objects

Using the model based on the Regge-like laws, new analytical formulas are obtained for the moment of inertia, the rotation frequency, and the radius of astronomical non-exotic objects (planets, stars, galaxies, and clusters of galaxies). The rotation frequency and moment of inertia of neutron star and the observable Universe are estimated. The estimates of the average numbers of stars and galaxies in the observable Universe are given. The Darwin instability effect in the binary systems (di-planets, di-stars, and di-galaxies) is also analyzed.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2020

On the evolution of compact binary black holes

Based on the consideration of potential energy of the di-black-hole as a function of mass asymmetry (transfer) collective coordinate, the possibility of matter transfer between the black holes in a binary system is investigated. The sensitivity of the calculated results is studied to the value of the total mass of binary system. The conditions for the merger of two black holes are analyzed in the context of gravitational wave emission.

astro-ph.GA↗
arXiv2020

Extended quantum diffusion approach to reactions of astrophysical interests

The quantum diffusion approach is extended to low energy fusion (capture) reactions of light- and medium-mass nuclei. The dependence of the friction parameter on bombarding energy is taken into account. A simple analytic expression is obtained for the capture probability at extreme sub-barrier energies. The calculated cross-sections are in a good agreement with the experimental data. The fusion excitation functions calculated within the quantum diffusion and WKB approaches are compared and presented in the astrophysical $S$-factor representation.

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arXiv2020

Study of $\Delta$ excitations in medium-mass nuclei with peripheral heavy ion charge-exchange reactions

Isobaric single charge-exchange reactions, changing nuclear charges by one unit but leaving the mass partitions unaffected, have been for the first time investigated by peripheral collisions of $^{112}$Sn ions accelerated up to 1\textit{A} GeV at the GSI facilities. The high-resolving power of the FRS spectrometer allows us to obtain $(p, n)$-type isobaric charge-exchange cross sections with an uncertainty of $3.5\%$ and to separate quasi-elastic and inelastic components in the missing-energy spectra of the ejectiles. The inelastic component is associated to the excitation of the $\Delta$(1232) isobar resonance and the emission of pions in s-wave both in the target and projectile nucleus, while the quasi-elastic contribution is associated to the nuclear spin-isospin response of nucleon-hole excitations. An apparent shift of the $\Delta$-resonance peak of $\sim$63 MeV is observed when comparing the missing-energy spectra obtained from the measurements with proton and carbon targets. A detailed analysis, performed with a theoretical model for the reactions, indicates that this observation can be simply interpreted as a change in the relative magnitude between the contribution of the excitation of the resonance in the target and in the projectile.

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arXiv2020

NURE: An ERC project to study nuclear reactions for neutrinoless double beta decay

Neutrinoless double beta decay (0ν\b{eta}\b{eta}) is considered the best potential resource to determine the absolute neutrino mass scale. Moreover, if observed, it will signal that the total lepton number is not conserved and neutrinos are their own anti-particles. Presently, this physics case is one of the most important research beyond Standard Model and might guide the way towards a Grand Unified Theory of fundamental interactions. Since the \b{eta}\b{eta} decay process involves nuclei, its analysis necessarily implies nuclear structure issues. The 0ν\b{eta}\b{eta} decay rate can be expressed as a product of independent factors: the phase-space factors, the nuclear matrix elements (NME) and a function of the masses of the neutrino species. Thus the knowledge of the NME can give information on the neutrino mass scale, if the 0ν\b{eta}\b{eta} decay rate is measured. In the NURE project, supported by a Starting Grant of the European Research Council, nuclear reactions of double charge-exchange (DCE) will be used as a tool to extract information on the \b{eta}\b{eta} NME. In DCE reactions and \b{eta}\b{eta} decay, the initial and final nuclear states are the same and the transition operators have similar structure. Thus the measurement of the DCE absolute crosssections can give crucial information on \b{eta}\b{eta} matrix elements.

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arXiv2020

Measuring nuclear reaction cross sections to extract information on neutrinoless double beta decay

Neutrinoless double beta decay (0v\b{eta}\b{eta}) is considered the best potential resource to access the absolute neutrino mass scale. Moreover, if observed, it will signal that neutrinos are their own anti-particles (Majorana particles). Presently, this physics case is one of the most important research "beyond Standard Model" and might guide the way towards a Grand Unified Theory of fundamental interactions. Since the 0v\b{eta}\b{eta} decay process involves nuclei, its analysis necessarily implies nuclear structure issues. In the NURE project, supported by a Starting Grant of the European Research Council (ERC), nuclear reactions of double charge-exchange (DCE) are used as a tool to extract information on the 0v\b{eta}\b{eta} Nuclear Matrix Elements. In DCE reactions and \b{eta}\b{eta} decay indeed the initial and final nuclear states are the same and the transition operators have similar structure. Thus the measurement of the DCE absolute cross-sections can give crucial information on \b{eta}\b{eta} matrix elements. In a wider view, the NUMEN international collaboration plans a major upgrade of the INFN-LNS facilities in the next years in order to increase the experimental production of nuclei of at least two orders of magnitude, thus making feasible a systematic study of all the cases of interest as candidates for 0v\b{eta}\b{eta}.

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arXiv2020

Electromagnetic character of the competitive $\gamma\gamma/\gamma$-decay from $^{137\mathrm{m}}$Ba

Second-order processes in physics is a research topic focusing attention from several fields worldwide including, for example, non-linear quantum electrodynamics with high-power lasers, neutrinoless double-$\beta$ decay, and stimulated atomic two-photon transitions. For the electromagnetic nuclear interaction, the observation of the competitive double-$\gamma$ decay from $^{137\mathrm{m}}$Ba has opened up the nuclear structure field for detailed investigation of second-order processes through the manifestation of off-diagonal nuclear polarizability. Here we confirm this observation with an $8.7\sigma$ significance, and an improved value on the double-photon versus single-photon branching ratio as $2.62\times10^{-6}(30)$. Our results, however, contradict the conclusions from the original experiment, where the decay was interpreted to be dominated by a quadrupole-quadrupole component. Here, we find a substantial enhancement in the energy distribution consistent with a dominating octupole-dipole character and a rather small quadrupole-quadrupole element in the decay, hindered due to an evolution of the internal nuclear structure. The implied strongly hindered double-photon branching in $^{137\mathrm{m}}$Ba opens up the possibility of the double-photon branching as a feasible tool for nuclear-structure studies on off-diagonal polarizability in nuclei where this hindrance is not present.

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arXiv2019

20Ne + 76Ge elastic and inelastic scattering at 306 MeV

Background: Double charge exchange (DCE) nuclear reactions have recently attracted much interest as tools to provide experimentally driven information about nuclear matrix elements of interest in the context of neutrinoless double-beta decay. In this framework, a good description of the reaction mechanism and a complete knowledge of the initial and final-state interactions are mandatory. Presently, not enough is known about the details of the optical potentials and nuclear response to isospin operators for many of the projectile-target systems proposed for future DCE studies. Among these, the 20Ne + 76Ge DCE reaction is particularly relevant due to its connection with 76Ge double-beta decay. Purpose: We intend to characterize the initial-state interaction for the 20Ne + 76Ge reactions at 306 MeV bombarding energy and determine the optical potential and the role of the couplings between elastic channel and inelastic transitions to the first low-lying excited states. Methods: We determine the experimental elastic and inelastic scattering cross-section angular distributions, compare the theoretical predictions by adopting different models of optical potentials with the experimental data, and evaluate the coupling effect through the comparison of the distorted-wave Born approximation calculations with the coupled channels ones. Results: Optical models fail to describe the elastic angular distribution above the grazing angle (9.4°). A correction in the geometry to effectively account for deformation of the involved nuclear systems improves the agreement up to about 14°. Coupled channels effects are crucial to obtain good agreement at large angles in the elastic scattering cross section.

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arXiv2019

On the Darwin instability effect in binary systems

The Darwin instability effect in the binary systems (planets, stars, and galaxies) is analyzed within the model based on the Regge-like laws. New analytical formulas are presented for the relative distance between components of the binary and orbital rotation period of the binary.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2019

Origin of the orbital period change in contact binary stars

The evolution of contact binary star systems in mass asymmetry (transfer) coordinate is considered. The orbital period changes is explained by an evolution in mass asymmetry towards the symmetry (symmetrization of binary system). It is predicted that a decreasing and an increasing orbital periods are related, respectively, with the non-overlapping and overlapping stage of the binary star during its symmetrization. A huge amount of energy $ΔU\approx 10^{41}$ J is converted from the potential energy into internal energy of the stars during the symmetrization. As shown, the merger of stars in the binary systems, including KIC 9832227, is energetically an unfavorable process. The sensitivity of the calculated results to the values of total mass and orbital angular momentum is analyzed.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2019

Close Binary Galaxies: Application to Source of Energy and Expansion in Universe

Applying the microscopic nuclear physics ideas for fusion reactions to macroscopic galactic systems, we study the evolution of the compact binary galaxy in mass asymmetry (transfer) coordinate. The conditions for the formation of stable symmetric binary galaxy are analyzed. The role of symmetrization of asymmetric binary galaxy in the transformation of gravitational energy into internal energy of galaxies accompanied by the release of a large amount of energy during the symmetrization process is revealed.

astro-ph.GA↗
arXiv2019

Heavy ion charge exchange reactions and the link with beta decay processes

Within the DWBA framework, we develop a theoretical description of single and double heavy ion charge exchange (CE) reactions. We show that absorption effects are particularly important for heavy ion reactions, leading to a noticeable reduction of the CE cross sections. At low momentum transfer, the single CE cross section can be factorised, thus allowing to evaluate corresponding distortion factors and access beta decay strengths. Applications are shown for a system of experimental interest. Preliminary results are discussed also for double CE reactions, modeled as a two-step mechanisms, i.e. a sequence of two charge-changing processes.

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