arXiv subjects

J. Stomps

Publications and source records attributed to J. Stomps.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Constraining the $^{30}$P($p,\gamma)^{31}$S reaction rate in ONe novae via the weak, low-energy, $\beta$-delayed proton decay of $^{31}$Cl

The $^{30}$P$(p,\gamma)^{31}$S reaction plays an important role in understanding nucleosynthesis of $A\geq 30$ nuclides in oxygen-neon novae. The Gaseous Detector with Germanium Tagging was used to measure $^{31}$Cl $\beta$-delayed proton decay through the key $J^{\pi}=3/2^{+}$, 260-keV resonance. The intensity $I^{260}_{\beta p} = 8.3^{+1.2}_{-0.9} \times 10^{-6}$ represents the weakest $\beta$-delayed, charged-particle emission ever measured below 400 keV, resulting in a proton branching ratio of $\Gamma_p / \Gamma = 2.5^{+0.4}_{-0.3} \times 10^{-4}$. By combining this measurement with shell-model calculations for $\Gamma_{\gamma}$ and past work on other resonances, the total $^{30}$P$(p,\gamma)^{31}$S rate has been determined with reduced uncertainty. The new rate has been used in hydrodynamic simulations to model the composition of nova ejecta, leading to a concrete prediction of $^{30}$Si/$^{28}$Si excesses in presolar nova grains and the calibration of nuclear thermometers.

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arXiv2021

$^{25}$Si $β^+$-decay spectroscopy

$β$-decay spectroscopy provides valuable information on exotic nuclei and a stringent test for nuclear theories beyond the stability line. To search for new $β$-delayed protons and $γ$ rays of $^{25}$Si to investigate the properties of $^{25}$Al excited states. $^{25}$Si $β$ decays were measured by using the Gaseous Detector with Germanium Tagging system at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The protons and $γ$ rays emitted in the decay were detected simultaneously. A Monte Carlo method was used to model the Doppler broadening of $^{24}$Mg $γ$-ray lines caused by nuclear recoil from proton emission. Shell-model calculations using two newly developed universal \textit{sd}-shell Hamiltonians, USDC and USDI, were performed. The most precise $^{25}$Si half-life to date has been determined. A new proton branch at 724(4)~keV and new proton-$γ$-ray coincidences have been identified. Three $^{24}$Mg $γ$-ray lines and eight $^{25}$Al $γ$-ray lines are observed for the first time in $^{25}$Si decay. The first measurement of the $^{25}$Si $β$-delayed $γ$ ray intensities through the $^{25}$Al unbound states is reported. All the bound states of $^{25}$Al are observed to be populated in the $β$ decay of $^{25}$Si. Several inconsistencies between the previous measurements have been resolved, and new information on the $^{25}$Al level scheme is provided. An enhanced decay scheme has been constructed and compared to the mirror decay of $^{25}$Na and the shell-model calculations. The measured excitation energies, $γ$-ray and proton branchings, log~$ft$ values, and Gamow-Teller transition strengths for the states of $^{25}$Al populated in the $β$ decay of $^{25}$Si are in good agreement with the shell-model calculations, offering gratifyingly consistent insights into the fine nuclear structure of $^{25}$Al.

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arXiv2020

Low-energy $^{23}$Al $β$-delayed proton decay and $^{22}$Na destruction in novae

The radionuclide $^{22}$Na is a target of $γ$-ray astronomy searches, predicted to be produced during thermonuclear runaways driving classical novae. The $^{22}$Na(p,$γ$)$^{23}$Mg reaction is the main destruction channel of $^{22}$Na during a nova, hence, its rate is needed to accurately predict the $^{22}$Na yield. However, experimental determinations of the resonance strengths have led to inconsistent results. In this work, we report a measurement of the branching ratios of the $^{23}$Al $β$-delayed protons, as a probe of the key 204--keV (center-of-mass) $^{22}$Na(p,$γ$)$^{23}$Mg resonance strength. We report a factor of 5 lower branching ratio compared to the most recent literature value. The variation in $^{22}$Na yield due to nuclear data inconsistencies was assessed using a series of hydrodynamic nova outburst simulations and has increased to a factor of 3.8, corresponding to a factor of $\sim$2 uncertainty in the maximum detectability distance. This is the first reported scientific measurement using the Gaseous Detector with Germanium Tagging (GADGET) system.

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