arXiv subjects

M. Cortesi

Publications and source records attributed to M. Cortesi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Spectroscopy of $^{11}$Be from the $^{10}$Be($d,p$) reaction measured in inverse kinematics by the AT-TPC in SOLARIS

The spectroscopy of $^{11}$Be is explored using the $^{10}$Be$(d,p)$$^{11}$Be transfer reaction performed in inverse kinematics at $9.6\,\MeV/u$ using the Active Target Time Projection Chamber (AT-TPC) inside the SOLARIS solenoid. This experiment is the first attempt at coupling the AT-TPC with SOLARIS to perform a high luminosity transfer reaction measurement without compromising excitation energy and scattering angle resolutions. The angular momentum transfer for states up to $3.40\,\MeV$ are determined from distorted-wave Born approximation analysis of the measured angular distributions, from which the corresponding spectroscopic factors are deduced. These factors are compared with those from various shell model interactions, and those for the $3.40\,\MeV$ state are consistent with a positive parity assignment. Recent \textit{ab initio} no-core configuration interaction (NCCI) calculations with various nucleon-nucleon interactions are presented for the low-lying positive parity states of $^{11}$Be. The excitation energies produced using the Daejeon16 interaction are in good agreement with those found from both this experiment and the literature, thus supporting a positive parity assignment. The $3.40\,\MeV$ state, if assigned a tentative $J^\pi=3/2^+$, would then correspond to the second excited state of the $K^P=1/2^+$ one-neutron halo ground state rotational band also predicted from such NCCI calculations.

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arXiv2026

Optical readout of MPGDs with solid wavelength shifters

Optical readout of MicroPattern Gaseous Detectors (MPGDs) makes use of the high granularity of imaging sensors to achieve good spatial resolution for radiation imaging and particle detection. CF4 is widely used as a scintillating gas because its emission lies in the visible range, where optical sensors are most sensitive. However, to reduce reliance on greenhouse gas, such as CF4, which also has limited availability, alternative gas mixtures emitting scintillation light in the ultraviolet range can be used in combination with wavelength shifters. We investigate the spatial resolution achievable with optically read out Gaseous Electron Multipliers (GEMs) and Micromegas when using solid wavelength shifter layers such as Tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB). TPB coatings on the anode of glass Micromegas achieve the best spatial resolution of 0.22 mm owing to the minimal distance between the origin of the scintillation light and the wavelength shifter. Nevertheless, TPB layers were also shown to achieve moderate spatial resolution in combination with optically read out GEMs.

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arXiv2025

Near-threshold dipole strength in {^{10}}Be with isoscalar character

Isoscalar dipole transitions are a distinctive fingerprint of cluster structures. A {1^-} resonance at 7.27(10) MeV, located just below the {\alpha}-emission threshold, has been observed in the deuteron inelastic scattering reactions off 10Be. The deformation lengths of the excited states in 10Be below 9 MeV have been inferred from the differential cross sections using coupled channel calculations. This observed {1^-} resonance has isoscalar characteristics and exhausts approximately 5{\%}-15{\%} of the isoscalar dipole energy-weighted sum rule, providing evidence for pronounced {\alpha} cluster structure in 10Be. The Gamow coupled channel approach supports this interpretation and suggests the near-threshold effect might be playing an important role in this excitation energy domain. The {\alpha}+{\alpha}+n+n four-body calculation reproduces the observed enhanced dipole strength, implying that the four-body cluster structure is essential to describe the {1^-} states in 10Be.

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arXiv2023

Time Projection Chamber for GADGET II

Background: The established GADGET detection system, designed for measuring weak, low-energy $\beta$-delayed proton decays, features a gaseous Proton Detector with MICROMEGAS readout for calorimetric particle detection, surrounded by a Segmented Germanium Array for high-resolution prompt $\gamma$-ray detection. Purpose: To upgrade GADGET's Proton Detector to operate as a compact Time Projection Chamber (TPC) for the detection, 3D imaging and identification of low-energy $\beta$-delayed single- and multi-particle emissions mainly of interest to astrophysical studies. Method: A new high granularity MM board with 1024 pads has been designed, fabricated, installed and tested. A high-density data acquisition system based on Generic Electronics for TPCs has been installed and optimized to record and process the gas avalanche signals collected on the readout pads. The TPC's performance has been tested using a $^{220}$Rn $\alpha$-particle source and cosmic-ray muons. In addition, decay events in the TPC have been simulated by adapting the ATTPCROOT data analysis framework. Further, a novel application of 2D convolutional neural networks for GADGET II event classification is introduced. Results: The GADGET II TPC is capable of detecting and identifying $\alpha$-particles, as well as measuring their track direction, range, and energy. It has also been demonstrated that the GADGET II TPC is capable of tracking cosmic-ray muons. In addition to being one of the first generation of micro pattern gaseous detectors to utilize a resistive anode applied to low-energy nuclear physics, the GADGET II TPC will also be the first TPC surrounded by a high-efficiency array of high-purity germanium $\gamma$-ray detectors. \textbf{Conclusions:} The TPC of GADGET II has been designed, fabricated, tested, and is ready for operation at the FRIB for radioactive beam-line experiments.

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arXiv2023

Characterization of a gas detector prototype based on Thick-GEM for the MAGNEX focal plane detector

A new gas detector prototype for the upgrade of the focal plane detector of the MAGNEX large-acceptance magnetic spectrometer has been developed and tested in view of the NUMEN project. It has been designed to operate at low gas pressure for detecting medium to heavy ions in the energy range between 15 and 60 AMeV. It is a drift chamber based on Multi-layer Thick-GEM (M-THGEM) as electron multiplication technology. Tests with two different M-THGEM layouts have been performed using both a radioactive $\alpha$-particle source and accelerated heavy-ion beams. The characterization of the detector in terms of measured currents that flow through the electrodes as a function of different parameters, including applied voltages, gas pressure and rate of incident particle, is described. The gain and ion backflow properties have been studied.

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arXiv2022

$\beta^{+}$ Gamow-Teller strengths from unstable $^{14}$O via the $(d,{}^2\text{He})$ reaction in inverse kinematics

For the first time, the $(d,{}^2\text{He})$ reaction was successfully used in inverse kinematics to extract the Gamow-Teller transition strength in the $\beta^{+}$ direction from an unstable nucleus. The nucleus studied was $^{14}$O, and the Gamow-Teller transition strength to $^{14}$N was extracted up to an excitation energy of 22 MeV. The measurement of the $(d,{}^2\text{He})$ reaction in inverse kinematics was made possible by the combination of an active target time projection chamber and a magnetic spectrometer. The data were used to test shell-model and state-of-the-art coupled cluster calculations. Shell-model calculations reproduce the measured Gamow-Teller strength distribution up to about 15 MeV reasonably well, after the application of a phenomenological quenching factor. Coupled-cluster calculation reproduces the full strength distribution well without such quenching, owing to the large model space, the inclusion of strong correlations, and the coupling of the weak interaction to two nucleons through two-body currents. This indicates that such calculations provide a very promising path for answering long-standing questions about the observed quenching of Gamow-Teller strengths in nuclei.

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arXiv2022

Design of the High Rigidity Spectrometer at FRIB

A High Rigidity Spectrometer (HRS) has been designed for experiments at the Facility for Rare-Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University (MSU). The HRS will allow experiments to be performed with the most exotic neutron-rich isotopes at high beam energies ($\gtrsim$100MeV/u). The HRS consists of an analysis beamline called the High-Transmission Beamline (HTBL) and the spectrometer proper called the Spectrometer Section. The maximum magnetic rigidity of the HRS is 8Tm, which corresponds to the rigidities at which rare-isotope beams are optimally produced at FRIB. The resolving power, angular acceptance, and momentum acceptance are set to match the anticipated scientific program. An ion-optical design developed for the HRS is described in detail, along with the specifications of the associated magnet and detector systems.

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arXiv2022

Evidence of a near-threshold resonance in $^{11}$B relevant to the $\beta$-delayed proton emission of $^{11}$Be

A narrow near-threshold proton-emitting resonance (Ex = 11.4 MeV, J$^{\pi}$ = 1/2$^{+}$ and $\Gamma_{p}$ = 4.4 keV) was directly observed in $^{11}$B via proton resonance scattering. This resonance was previously inferred in the $\beta$-delayed proton emission of the neutron halo nucleus $^{11}$Be. The good agreement between both experimental results serves as a ground to confirm the existence of such exotic decay and the particular behavior of weakly bound nuclei coupled to the continuum. $R$-matrix analysis shows a sizable partial decay width for both, proton and $\alpha$ emission channels.

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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

Beam Particle Identification and Tagging of Incompletely Stripped Heavy Beams with HEIST

A challenge preventing successful inverse kinematics measurements with heavy nuclei that are not fully stripped is identifying and tagging the beam particles. For this purpose, the HEavy ISotope Tagger (HEIST) has been developed. HEIST utilizes two micro-channel plate timing detectors to measure time of flight, a multi-sampling ion chamber to measure energy loss, and a high purity Ge detector to identify isomer decays and calibrate the isotope identification system. HEIST has successfully identified $^{198}$Pb and other nearby nuclei at energies of about 75 MeV/A. In the experiment discussed, a typical cut containing 89\% of all $^{198}$Pb$^{+80}$ in the beam had a purity of 86\%. We examine the issues of charge state contamination. The observed charge state populations of these ions are presented and are moderately well described by the charge state model GLOBAL.

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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

First direct measurement of $^{22}$Mg($α$,p)$^{25}$Al and implications for X-ray burst model-observation comparisons

Type-I X-ray burst (XRB) light curves are sensitive to the model's nuclear input and consequently affects the model-observation comparisons. $^{22}$Mg($α$,p)$^{25}$Al is among the most important reactions which directly impact the XRB light curve. We report the first direct measurement of $^{22}$Mg($α$,p)$^{25}$Al using the Active Target Time Projection Chamber. XRB light curve model-observation comparison for the source $\tt{GS 1826-24}$ using new reaction rate implies a less-compact neutron star than previously inferred. Additionally, our result removes an important uncertainty in XRB model calculations that previously hindered extraction of the neutron star compactness.

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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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arXiv2019

Development of a novel MPGD-based drift chamber for the NSCL/FRIB S800 spectrometer

The performance of a novel tracking detector developed for the focal plane of the NSCL/FRIB S800 magnetic spectrometer is presented. The detector comprises a large-area drift chamber equipped with a hybrid Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detector (MPGD)-based readout. The latter consists of a position-sensitive Micromegas detector preceded by a two-layer M-THGEM multiplier as a pre-amplification stage. The signals from the Micromegas readout are processed by a data acquisition system based on the General Electronics for TPC (GET). The drift chamber has an effective area of around 60x30 cm^2, which matches to the very large acceptance of the S800 spectrometer. This work discusses in detail the results of performance evaluation tests carried out with a low-energy alpha-particles source and with high-energy heavy-ion beams with the detector installed at the S800 focal plane. In this latter case, the detector was irradiated with a 150 MeV/u 78Kr36+ beam as well as a heavy-ion fragmentation cocktail beam produced by the 78Kr36+ beam impinging on a thin beryllium target. Sub-millimeter position resolution is obtained in both dispersive and non-dispersive directions.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Direct observation of proton emission in 11Be

The elusive $β^-\text{p}^+$ decay was observed in $^{11}$Be by directly measuring the emitted protons and their energy distribution for the first time with the prototype Active Target Time Projection Chamber (pAT-TPC) in an experiment performed at ISAC-TRIUMF. The measured $β^-\text{p}^+$ branching ratio is orders of magnitude larger than any previous theoretical model predicted. This can be explained by the presence of a narrow resonance in $^{11}$B above the proton separation energy.

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arXiv2019

Beam induced space-charge effects in Time Projection Chambers in low-energy nuclear physics experiments

Tracking capabilities in Time Projection Chambers (TPCs) are strongly dictated by the homogeneity of the drift field. Ion back-flow in various gas detectors, mainly induced by the secondary ionization processes during amplification, has long been known as a source of drift field distortion. Here, we report on beam-induced space-charge effects from the primary ionization process in the drift region in low-energy nuclear physics experiment with Active Target Time Projection Chamber (AT-TPC). A qualitative explanation of the observed effects is provided using detailed electron transport simulations. As ion mobility is a crucial factor in the space-charge effects, the need for a careful optimization of gas properties is highlighted. The impact of track distortion on tracking algorithm performance is also discussed.

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arXiv2016

Multi-layer Thick Gas Electron Multiplier (M-THGEM): a new MPDG structure for high-gain operation at low-pressure

The operating principle and performances of the Multi-layer Thick Gaseous Electron Multiplier (M-THGEM) is presented. The M-THGEM is a novel hole-type gaseous electron multiplier produced by multi-layer printed circuit board technology; it consists of a densely perforated assembly of multiple insulating substrate sheets (e.g., FR-4), sandwiched between thin metallic-electrode layers. The electron avalanche processes occur along the successive multiplication stages within the M-THGEM holes, under the action of strong dipole fields resulting from the application of suitable potential differences between the electrodes. The present work focuses on investigation of two different geometries: a two-layer M-THGEM (either as single or double-cascade detector) and a single three-layer M-THGEM element, tested in various low-pressure He-based gas mixtures. The intrinsically robust confinement of the avalanche volume within the M-THGEM holes provides an efficient suppression of the photon-induced secondary effects, resulting in a high-gain operation over a broad pressure range, even in pure noble gas. The operational principle, main properties (maximum achievable gain, long-term stability, energy resolution, etc.) under different irradiation conditions, as well as capabilities and potential applications are discussed.

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arXiv2015

High-frame rate, fast neutron imaging of two-phase flow in a thin rectangular channel

We have demonstrated the feasibility of performing high-frame-rate, fast neutron radiography of air-water two-phase flows in a thin channel with rectangular cross section. The experiments have been carried out at the accelerator facility of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt. A polychromatic, high-intensity fast neutron beam with average energy of 6 MeV was produced by 11.5 MeV deuterons hitting a thick Be target. Image sequences down to 10 millisecond exposure times were obtained using a fast-neutron imaging detector developed in the context of fast-neutron resonance imaging. Different two-phase flow regimes such as bubbly slug and churn flows have been examined. Two phase flow parameters like the volumetric gas fraction, bubble size and bubble velocities have been measured. The first results are promising, improvements for future experiments are also discussed.

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