arXiv subjects

J. Henderson

Publications and source records attributed to J. Henderson.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

$β$ Decay of $^{132}$In and Spectroscopy of $^{132}$Sn and $^{131}$Sb with the GRIFFIN Spectrometer

Spectroscopy of doubly magic $^{132}_{50}$Sn$_{82}$ has been performed with the GRIFFIN spectrometer at TRIUMF-ISAC following the $β$ decay of $^{132}_{49}$In$_{83}$. The analysis has allowed for the placement of a total of 70 transitions and 29 excited states in $^{132}$Sn. Detailed spectroscopy has also been performed on $^{131}$Sb, resulting from the $β$ decay of $^{131}$Sn, produced from the $β$-delayed neutron decay of $^{132}$In. Measurement of $γ$-rays in both $^{131}$Sn and $^{131}$Sb has led to the determination of the $β$-delayed neutron emission probability, $P_{n}$, from $^{132}$In. This is the first time the $P_{n}$ has been measured for this nucleus using $γ$ spectroscopy, and the new value of 12.3(4)% is consistent with the most recent $β-n$ counting experiment. Additionally, $γ$-$γ$ angular correlations have been performed in $^{132}$Sn, supporting the spin assignments of several excited states. Novel ab initio calculations are presented which describe several of the excited states, and these are compared to the experimental spectrum.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2020

Collective 2p-2h intruder states in $^{118}$Sn studied via $β$-decay of $^{118}$In using GRIFFIN

The low-lying structure of semi-magic $^{118}$Sn has been investigated through the $β$-decay of $^{118}$In ($T_{1/2}=4.45$ min) to study shape coexistence via the reduced transition probabilities of states in the 2p-2h proton intruder band. This high-statistics study was carried out at TRIUMF-ISAC with the GRIFFIN spectrometer. In total, 99 transitions have been placed in the level scheme with 43 being newly observed. Three low-lying $γ$-ray transitions with energies near 285 keV have been resolved from which the 2$^+_{\mathrm{intr.}} \rightarrow 0^+_{\mathrm{intr.}}$ 284.52-keV transition was determined to have half of the previous branching fraction leading to a $B(E2;2^+_2\rightarrow 0^+_2)$ of 21(4) W.u. compared to 39(7) W.u. from the previous measurement. Calculations using $sd$ IBM-2 with mixing have also been made to compare the experimental $B(E2)$ values to the theoretical values and to make comparisons to the $^{114,116}$Sn isotopes previously studied using the same theoretical model.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2020

On the inversion of isobaric-analogue states in nuclei

Isospin is an approximate symmetry in atomic nuclei, arising from the rather similar properties of protons and neutrons. Perhaps the clearest manifestation of isospin within nuclei is in the near-identical structure of excited states in mirror nuclei: nuclei with inverted numbers of protons and neutrons. Isospin symmetry, and therefore mirror-symmetry, is broken by electromagnetic interactions and the difference in the masses of the up and down quarks. A recent study by Hoff and collaborators presented evidence that the ground-state spin of $^{73}$Sr is different from that of its mirror, $^{73}$Br, due to an inversion of the ground- and first-excited states, separated by only 27 keV in the $^{73}$Br system. In this brief note, we place this inversion within the necessary context of the past half-century of experimental and theoretical work, and show that it is entirely consistent with normal behaviour, and affords no new insight into isospin-symmetry breaking. The essential point is that isospin-breaking effects due to the Coulomb interaction frequently vary from level to level within a given medium-mass nucleus by as much as 200 keV. Any level splitting smaller than this is liable to manifest a level inversion in the mirror partner which, absent disagreement with an appropriate nuclear model, does not challenge our understanding. While we note the novelty of an inversion in nuclear ground states, we emphasize that in the context of isospin there is nothing specifically illuminating about the ground state, or a level inversion.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Evidence for rigid triaxial deformation in $^{76}$Ge from a model-independent analysis

An extensive, model-independent analysis of the nature of triaxial deformation in $^{76}$Ge, a candidate for neutrinoless double-beta ($0νββ$) decay, was carried out following multi-step Coulomb excitation. Shape parameters deduced on the basis of a rotational-invariant sum-rule analysis provided considerable insight into the underlying collectivity of the ground-state and $γ$ bands. Both sequences were determined to be characterized by the same $β$ and $γ$ deformation parameter values. In addition, compelling evidence for low-spin, rigid triaxial deformation in $^{76}$Ge was obtained for the first time from the analysis of the statistical fluctuations of the quadrupole asymmetry deduced from the measured $E2$ matrix elements. These newly determined shape parameters are important input and constraints for calculations aimed at providing, with suitable accuracy, the nuclear matrix elements relevant to $0νββ$.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Comparison Between, and Validation Against an Experiment of, a Slowly-Varying Envelope Approximation Code and a Particle-in-Cell Simulation Code for Free-Electron Lasers

Free-electron lasers (FELs) operate at wavelengths down to hard x-rays, and are either seeded or start from noise. There is increasing interest in x-ray FELs that rely on Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission (SASE), and this involves increasing simulation activity in the design, optimization, and characterization of these x-ray FELs. Most of the simulation codes in use rely on the Slowly-Varying Envelope Approximation (SVEA) in which Maxwell's equations are averaged over the fast time scale resulting in relatively small computational requirements. While the SVEA codes are generally successful, the predictions of these codes sometimes differ in various aspects of the FEL interaction. In contrast, Particle-in-Cell (PiC) simulation codes do not average Maxwell's equations and are considered to be a more complete model of the underlying physics.Unfortunately, they require much longer run times than SVEA codes and have not been validated by comparison with experiment as often as the SVEA codes. In order to remedy this, and to resolve issues that arise due to different predictions between the SVEA codes, we present a comparison between one SVEA code (MINERVA) and a PiC simulation code (PUFFIN) with the experimental measurements obtained at the SPARC SASE FEL experiment at ENEA Frascati. The results show good agreement between the two codes and between the codes and the experiment. Since the formulations of the two codes share no common elements, this validates both formulations and demonstrates the capability to model the FEL interaction from the start of teh undulator through the undulator and into deep saturation.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2019

Isospin symmetry in $B(E2)$ values: Coulomb excitation study of ${}^{21}$Mg

The $T_z$~=~$-\frac{3}{2}$ nucleus ${}^{21}$Mg has been studied by Coulomb excitation on ${}^{196}$Pt and ${}^{110}$Pd targets. A 205.6(1)-keV $γ$-ray transition resulting from the Coulomb excitation of the $\frac{5}{2}^+$ ground state to the first excited $\frac{1}{2}^+$ state in ${}^{21}$Mg was observed for the first time. Coulomb excitation cross-section measurements with both targets and a measurement of the half-life of the $\frac{1}{2}^+$ state yield an adopted value of $B(E2;\frac{5}{2}^+\rightarrow\frac{1}{2}^+)$~=~13.3(4)~W.u. A new excited state at 1672(1)~keV with tentative $\frac{9}{2}^+$ assignment was also identified in ${}^{21}$Mg. This work demonstrates large difference of the $B(E2;\frac{5}{2}^+\rightarrow\frac{1}{2}^+)$ values between $T$~=~$\frac{3}{2}$, $A$~=~21 mirror nuclei. The difference is investigated in the shell-model framework employing both isospin conserving and breaking USD interactions and using modern \textsl{ab initio} nuclear structure calculations, which have recently become applicable in the $sd$ shell.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Shell evolution approaching the N=20 island of inversion: Structure of 29Mg

The "Island of Inversion" for neutron-rich nuclei in the vicinity of N=20 has become the testing ground par excellence for our understanding and modelling of shell evolution with isospin. In this context, the structure of the transitional nucleus 29Mg is critical. The first quantitative measurements of the single particle structure of 29Mg are reported, using data from the d(28Mg,p gamma)29Mg reaction. Two key states carrying significant ell=3 (f-wave) strength were identified at 2.40 +/- 0.10 (Jpi = 5/2-) and 4.28 +/- 0.04 MeV (7/2-). New state-of-the-art shell model calculations have been performed and the predictions are compared in detail with the experimental results. Whilst the two lowest 7/2- levels are well described, the sharing of single-particle strength disagrees with experiment for both the 3/2- and 5/2- levels and there appear to be general problems with configurations involving the p3/2 neutron orbital and core-excited components. These conclusions are supported by an analysis of the neutron occupancies in the shell model calculations.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

$β$ and $β$-delayed neutron decay of the $N=82$ nucleus $^{131}_{~49}$In$_{82}$

The half-lives of three $β$ decaying states of $^{131}_{~49}$In$_{82}$ have been measured with the GRIFFIN $γ$-ray spectrometer at the TRIUMF-ISAC facility to be $T_{1/2}(1/2^-)=328(15)$~ms, $T_{1/2}(9/2^+)=265(8)$~ms, and $T_{1/2}(21/2^+)=323(55)$~ms, respectively. The first observation of $γ$-rays following the $βn$ decay of $^{131}$In into $^{130}$Sn is reported. The $β$-delayed neutron emission probability is determined to be $P_{1n} = 12(7)\%$ for the $21/2^+$ state and $2.3(3)\%$ from the combined $1/2^-$ and $9/2^+$ states of $^{131}_{~49}$In$_{82}$ observed in this experiment. A significant expansion of the decay scheme of $^{131}$In, including 17 new excited states and 34 new $γ$-ray transitions in $^{131}_{~50}$Sn$_{81}$ is also reported. This leads to large changes in the deduced $β$ branching ratios to some of the low-lying states of $^{131}$Sn compared to previous work with implications for the strength of the first-forbidden $β$ transitions in the vicinity of doubly-magic $^{132}_{~50}$Sn$_{82}$.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Observation of excited states in $^{20}$Mg sheds light on nuclear forces and shell evolution

The exotic Borromean nucleus $^{20}$Mg with $N$ = 8, located at the proton drip-line provides a unique testing ground for nuclear forces and the evolution of shell structure in the neutron-deficient region. We report on the first observation of proton unbound resonances together with bound states in $^{20}$Mg from the $^{20}$Mg($d$,$d'$) reaction performed at TRIUMF. Phenomenological shell-model calculations offer a reasonable description. However, our experimental results present a challenge for current first-principles nuclear structure approaches and point to the need for improved chiral forces and {\it ab initio} calculations. Furthermore, the differential cross section of the first excited state is compared with distorted-wave Born approximation calculations to deduce a neutron quadrupole deformation parameter of $β_n$=0.46$\pm$0.21. This provides the first indication of a possible weakening of the $N$ = 8 shell closure at the proton drip-line.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

The GRIFFIN Facility for Decay-Spectroscopy Studies at TRIUMF-ISAC

Gamma-Ray Infrastructure For Fundamental Investigations of Nuclei, GRIFFIN, is a new high-efficiency $γ$-ray spectrometer designed for use in decay spectroscopy experiments with low-energy radioactive ion beams provided by TRIUMF's Isotope Separator and Accelerator (ISAC-I) facility. GRIFFIN is composed of sixteen Compton-suppressed large-volume clover-type high-purity germanium (HPGe) $γ$-ray detectors combined with a suite of ancillary detection systems and coupled to a custom digital data acquisition system. The infrastructure and detectors of the spectrometer as well as the performance characteristics and the analysis techniques applied to the experimental data are described.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

Half-Lives of Neutron Rich $^{130}$Cd and $^{131}$In

The half-lives of isotopes around the $N=82$ shell closure are an important ingredient in astrophysical simulations and strongly influence the magnitude of the second $r$-process abundance peak in the $A\sim130$ region. The most neutron-rich $N=82$ nuclei are not accessible to the current generation of radioactive beam facilities and $r$-process simulations must therefore rely on calculations of the half-lives of the isotopes involved. Half-life measurements of the experimentally accessible nuclei in this region are important in order to benchmark these calculations. The half-life of $^{130}$Cd is particularly important as it is used to tune the Gamow-Teller quenching in shell-model calculations for the $β$ decay of other nuclei in this region. In this work, the GRIFFIN $γ$-ray spectrometer at the TRIUMF-ISAC facility was used to measure the half-life of $^{130}_{~48}$Cd$_{82}$ to be $T_{1/2}= 126(4)$ ms. In addition, the half-lives of the three $β$ decaying states of $^{131}_{~49}$In$_{82}$ were measured to be $T_{1/2}(1/2^-)=328(15)$ ms, $T_{1/2}(9/2^+)=265(8)$ ms, and $T_{1/2}(21/2^+)=323(50)$ ms, respectively, providing an important benchmark for half-life calculations in this region.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

In-beam internal conversion electron spectroscopy with the SPICE detector

The SPectrometer for Internal Conversion Electrons (SPICE) has been commissioned for use in conjunction with the TIGRESS $γ$-ray spectrometer at TRIUMF's ISAC-II facility. SPICE features a permanent rare-earth magnetic lens to collect and direct internal conversion electrons emitted from nuclear reactions to a thick, highly segmented, lithium-drifted silicon detector. This arrangement, combined with TIGRESS, enables in-beam $γ$-ray and internal conversion electron spectroscopy to be performed with stable and radioactive ion beams. Technical aspects of the device, capabilities, and initial performance are presented.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

Lifetimes of low-lying excited states in $^{86}_{36}$Kr$_{50}$

The evolution of nuclear magic numbers at extremes of isospin is a topic at the forefront of contemporary nuclear physics. $N=50$ is a prime example, with increasing experimental data coming to light on potentially doubly-magic $^{100}$Sn and $^{78}$Ni at the proton-rich and proton-deficient extremes, respectively. Experimental discrepancies exist in the data for less exotic systems. In $^{86}$Kr the $B(E2;2^+_1\rightarrow0^+_1)$ value - a key indicator of shell evolution - has been experimentally determined by two different methodologies, with the results deviating by $3σ$. Here, we report on a new high-precision measurement of this value, as well as the first measured lifetimes and hence transition strengths for the $2^+_2$ and $3^-_{(2)}$ states in the nucleus. The Doppler-shift attenuation method was implemented using the TIGRESS gamma-ray spectrometer and TIGRESS integrated plunger (TIP) device. High-statistics Monte-Carlo simulations were utilized to extract lifetimes in accordance with state-of-the-art methodologies. Lifetimes of $τ(2^+_1)=336\pm4\text{(stat.)}\pm20\text{(sys.)}$ fs, $τ(2^+_2)=263\pm9\text{(stat.)}\pm19\text{(sys.)}$ fs and $τ(3^-_{(2)})=73\pm6\text{(stat.)}\pm32\text{(sys.)}$ fs were extracted. This yields a transition strength for the first-excited state of $B(E2;2^+_1\rightarrow0^+)=259\pm3\text{(stat.)}\pm16\text{(sys.)}$ e$^2$fm$^4$. The measured lifetime disagrees with the previous Doppler-shift attenuation method measurement by more than $3σ$, while agreeing well with a previous value extracted from Coulomb excitation. The newly extracted $B(E2;2^+_1\rightarrow0^+_1)$ value indicates a more sudden reduction in collectivity in the $N=50$ isotones approaching $Z=40$.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

Testing microscopically derived descriptions of nuclear collectivity: Coulomb excitation of 22Mg

Many-body nuclear theory utilizing microscopic or chiral potentials has developed to the point that collectivity might be dealt with in an {\it ab initio} framework without the use of effective charges; for example with the proper evolution of operators, or alternatively, through the use of an appropriate and manageable subset of particle-hole excitations. We present a precise determination of $E2$ strength in $^{22}$Mg and its mirror $^{22}$Ne by Coulomb excitation, allowing for rigorous comparisons with theory. No-core symplectic shell-model calculations were performed and agree with the new $B(E2)$ values while in-medium similarity-renormalization-group calculations consistently underpredict the absolute strength, with the missing strength found to have both isoscalar and isovector components.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2013

Spectroscopy of proton-rich 66^Se up to J^π = 6^+: isospin-breaking effect in the A = 66 isobaric triplet

Candidates for three excited states in the 66^Se have been identified using the recoil-β tagging method together with a veto detector for charged-particle evaporation channels. These results allow a comparison of mirror and triplet energy differences between analogue states across the A = 66 triplet as a function of angular momentum. The extracted triplet energy differences follow the negative trend observed in the f_7/2 shell. Shell-model calculations indicate a continued need for an additional isospin non-conserving interaction in addition to the Coulomb isotensor part as a function of mass.

nucl-ex↗