arXiv subjects

M. Saha Sarkar

Publications and source records attributed to M. Saha Sarkar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Study of proton capture resonant state of ^{15}O at 7556 keV

The slowest reaction in the CNO cycle 14N(p, gamma)15O has been studied by populating the E^lab_p =278 keV (E^r_c.m.=259 keV) proton capture resonant state of ^{15}O at 7556 keV. The strength of the resonance has been determined from the experimental data. The level lifetime of the sub-threshold resonant state at Ex=6792 keV, as well as the lifetimes of the 5181 keV and 6172 keV states, have been measured using the Doppler shift attenuation method (DSAM). The structural properties of the nucleus ^{15}O, such as, the level energies, transition strengths, level lifetimes, and spectroscopic factors, have been calculated theoretically by using the large basis shell model, which agrees reasonably well with the present as well as the previous experimental data.

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arXiv2020

Measurement and simulation of gamma-ray background in a low energy accelerator facility

The gamma-ray background in the indoor environment has been measured up to 3 MeV to evaluate the feasibility of studying low cross-section (nanobarn to picobarn range) astrophysical reactions at the Facility for Research in Experimental Nuclear Astrophysics (FRENA), Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata. An n-type coaxial HPGe detector with 20% relative efficiency has been placed at different locations in the accelerator and beam halls for the measurement. The measured activity has been compared with that at two laboratories (with standard brick walls) with and without passive and active radiation shielding. As the halls at FRENA are well shielded by concrete, the contribution of the shielding in indoor gamma-ray background has been delineated by simulation using a 4p-geometry model.

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arXiv2020

Elimination of the effect of internal activity in LaCl3:Ce scintillator

The Lanthanum Halide scintillator detectors have been widely used for nuclear spectroscopy experiments because of their excellent energy and time resolutions. Despite having these advantages, the intrinsic alpha and beta contaminations in these scintillators pose a severe limitation in their usage in rare-event detections. In the present work, pulse shape discrimination (PSD) with a fast digitizer has been shown to be an efficient method to separate the effect of alpha contamination from the spectrum. The shape of the beta spectrum has been generated with the help of Monte Carlo based simulation code, and its contribution has been eliminated from the spectrum. The reduction in the background events generated by both intrinsic beta and alpha activities has been demonstrated. The present study will encourage the application of these detectors in low cross-section measurement experiments relevant to nuclear astrophysics.

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arXiv2020

Cross-shell excitations in doubly magic 132Sn and its nearest neighbours

Large scale shell model calculations have been performed to study the excitation spectra of 132Sn and its nearest neighbours with a new cross-shell interaction constructed from two widely used interactions, sn100pn and CWG, of this mass region. A few of the two-body matrix elements have been tuned to reproduce the low-lying multiplet states of 132Sn. This is the first full scale shell model study of 132Sn energy spectra as well as transition probabilities. The excitation spectra for other nearest neighbours are reproduced reasonably well. The most important observable calculated are the E1 transition probabilities, which were so far beyond the scope of calculations with the existing interactions.

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arXiv2019

Characterization of an electrically cooled BEGe detector till E$_γ\sim7$ MeV

An electrically cooled Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) detector has been characterized in the energy range E$_γ$ $\sim$ 0.122 - 7 MeV by utilizing the $γ$- rays emitted by a short-lived resonance state in $^{15}$O populated through $^{14}$N(p,$γ$) reaction and standard radioactive source ($^{152}$Eu). The experimental results have been reproduced through simulations with GEANT4 code, including vendor specified detector geometry along with the detailed construction of the target holder flange, to delineate the effects of the holder at various energies and detector position. Later the efficiency with a bare point source has been simulated. It has been found that the electrically cooled BEGe detector is suitable for usage in the $γ$-ray spectroscopy as well as for the study of resonance phenomena in nuclear astrophysics.

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arXiv2019

Study of radioactivity built-up and decay with singles time-stamped data

Time-stamped data have been used to estimate the decay half-lives of radioactive 118mSb and 64,66,68Ga nuclei. These nuclei are populated through the reaction 4He (Elab = 32 MeV) + nat In and p (Elab = 10 MeV) + natZn, respectively. The g -rays emitted by the excited daughter nuclei are detected by a single high purity germanium (HPGe) detector and the data are acquired using a CAEN 5780M desktop digitizer. Half-lives of different orders of magnitudes for the above mentioned nuclei are obtained from both the decay of parent and the growth of daughter nuclei. It is observed that the half-lives obtained from both these techniques match fairly well and also are consistent with the reported values. It is demonstrated that the time-stamped data can be useful while studying certain half-lives which are too long for measurement using in-beam electronic technique and too short for decay studies in off-beam methods. The data also have a special relevance for constant monitoring of beam current and beam-tuning.

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arXiv2018

Coupling between two extreme excitation mode in weakly deformed $^{142}$Eu nucleus

Two opposite parity dipole bandlike structures DB I and DB II of $^{142}$Eu are investigated by the Indian National Gamma Array (INGA), using the fusion evaporation reaction $^{31}$P + $^{116}$Cd @ 148 MeV. The decreasing trend as well as magnitude of the measured $B(M1)$ and $B(E2)$ transition rates of the band DB II has been reproduced well within the shears mechanism with the principal axis cranking model calculations. This calculation reflects the fact that the maximum contribution of the angular momentum of the states in DB II has been generated from the magnetic rotation (MR) phenomenon. The enhanced $B(E1)$ rates of the connecting $E1$ transitions from the states of DB II to DB I are demanding the octupole correlation due to the involvement of the octupole driving pair of orbitals $π{h_{11/2}}$ and $π{d_{5/2}}$ as evident from the quasiparticle alignment ($i_{x}$), the experimental routhians (e$^{'}$) and the calculated neutron and proton quasiparticle energies against the rotational frequency ($ω$).

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arXiv2017

Evidence of the Antimagnetic rotation in an odd-odd nucleus: The case of 142Eu

The present work reported a conclusive evidence for anti-magnetic rotational (AMR) band in an odd-odd nucleus 142Eu. Parity of the states of a quadrupole sequence in 142Eu was firmly identified from polarization measurements using the Indian National Gamma Array and lifetimes of some of the states in the same structure were measured using the Doppler shift attenuation method. The decreasing trends of the deduced quadrupole transition strength B(E2) with spin, along with increasing J(2) / B(E2) values conclusively established the origin of these states as arising from Antimagnetic rotation. The results were well reproduced by numerical calculations within the framework of a semi-classical geometric model.

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arXiv2017

Identification of a long lived $β$ decaying isomer in $^{150}$Pm

The decay of odd-odd $^{150}$Pm has been studied by populating the nucleus with the $^{150}$Nd(p,n)$^{150}$Pm reaction at E$_{beam}$ = 8.0 MeV using 97$\%$ enriched $^{150}$Nd target. The presence of an isomeric state with $β$ decay half life of 2.2(1) h could be identified in $^{150}$Pm by following the half lives of the observed $γ$ transitions. The decay of the isomer to the excited levels of $^{150}$Sm has been confirmed by observing the $γ- γ$ coincidence with the VENUS array of six Compton suppressed Clover HPGe detectors. The $β$ decay end-point energies corresponding to the decay from the $^{150g}$Pm and $^{150m}$Pm have been measured using a $β-γ$ coincidence setup of two thin window Planar HPGe detectors and four Clover HPGe detectors of the VENUS array. The systematics of the similar isomeric states in neighboring nuclei has been studied to understand the underlying structure of these states. Shell model calculation has been performed by using OXBASH code which indicates the presence of a 5$^-$ isomeric state at very low excitation in the nucleus. The calculation also suggests hindered electromagnetic decay of this isomer and supports the possibility of its $β$ decay to the excited levels of $^{150}$Sm.

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arXiv2016

Shape coexistence in 153Ho

The high-spin states in 153Ho, have been studied by 139 57 La(20Ne, 6n) reaction at a projectile energy of 139 MeV at Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), Kolkata, India, utilizing an earlier campaign of Indian National Gamma Array (INGA) setup. Data from gamma-gamma coincidence, directional correlation and polarization measurements have been analyzed to assign and confirm the spins and parities of the levels. We have suggested a few additions and revisions of the reported level scheme of 153Ho. The RF-gamma time difference spectra have been useful to confirm the half-life of an isomer in this nucleus. From the comparison of experimental and theoretical results, it is found that there are definite indications of shape coexistence in this nucleus. The experimental and calculated lifetimes of several isomers have been compared to follow the coexistence and evolution of shape with increasing spin.

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arXiv2015

Characterisation of a Composite LEPS

A low energy photon spectrometer (LEPS), which is a composite planar HPGe, has been characterised experimentally. It has been shown that beyond 200 keV, effect of image charges deteriorates the efficiency of the detector in its addback mode. Data has been corrected on eventby- event basis resulting in improvement of the performance.

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arXiv2015

Antimagnetic rotation and sudden change of electric quadrupole transition strength in 143Eu

Lifetimes of the states in the quadrupole structure in 143Eu have been measured using the Doppler shift attenuation method as well as parity of the states in the sequence has been firmly identified from polarization measurement using the Indian National Gamma Array. The decreasing trends of the deduced quadrupole transition strength B(E2) with spin, along with increasing J (2) /B(E2) values before band crossing, conclusively establish the origin of these states as arising out of antimagnetic rotation. The abrupt increase in the B(E2) values after the band crossing in the quadrupole band, a novel feature observed in the present experiment, may indicates the crossing of different shears configurations resulting in re-opening of shears structure. The results are well reproduced by numerical calculation within the framework of semi-classical geometric model.

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arXiv2014

136Sn and three body forces

New experimental data on 2+ energies of 136,138Sn confirms the trend of lower 2+ excitation energies of even-even tin isotopes with N > 82 compared to those with N< 82. However, none of the theoretical predictions using both realistic and empirical interactions can reproduce experimental data on excitation energies as well as the transition probabilities (B(E2; 6+ -> 4+)) of these nuclei, simultaneously, apart from one whose matrix elements have been changed empirically to produce mixed seniority states by weakening pairing. We have shown that the experimental result also shows good agreement with the theory in which three body forces have been included in a realistic interaction. The new theoretical results on transition probabilities have been discussed to identify the experimental quantities which will clearly distinguish between different views.

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arXiv2013

Importance of $1n$-stripping process in the $^{6}$Li+$^{159}$Tb reaction

The inclusive cross sections of the $α$-particles produced in the reaction $^{6}$Li+$^{159}$Tb have been measured at energies around the Coulomb barrier. The measured cross sections are found to be orders of magnitude larger than the calculated cross sections of $^{6}$Li breaking into $α$ and $d$ fragments, thus indicating contributions from other processes. The experimental cross sections of $1n$-stripping and $1n$-pickup processes have been determined from an entirely different measurement, reported earlier. Apart from incomplete fusion and/ $d$-transfer processes, the $1n$-stripping process is found to be a significant contributor to the inclusive $α$-particle cross sections in this reaction.

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arXiv2013

Understanding Nuclei in the upper sd - shell

Nuclei in the upper-$sd$ shell usually exhibit characteristics of spherical single particle excitations. In the recent years, employment of sophisticated techniques of gamma spectroscopy has led to observation of high spin states of several nuclei near A$\simeq$ 40. In a few of them multiparticle, multihole rotational states coexist with states of single particle nature. We have studied a few nuclei in this mass region experimentally, using various campaigns of the Indian National Gamma Array setup. We have compared and combined our empirical observations with the large-scale shell model results to interpret the structure of these nuclei. Indication of population of states of large deformation has been found in our data. This gives us an opportunity to investigate the interplay of single particle and collective degrees of freedom in this mass region.

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arXiv2013

Linear Polarization Measurements for High-Spin States in 146Gd

A γ-ray linear polarization measurement has been performed to directly determine the parities for the levels in 146Gd nucleus. High-spin states in this nucleus were populated in a reaction 115In + 34S at 140 MeV incident energy. Linearly polarized γ - rays emitted from oriented states were measured using a Compton polarimeter consisting of an array of 8 Compton-suppressed Clover detectors. Unambiguous assignments of the spin and parity have been made for most of the observed levels and changes made in the previously reported spin-parity assignments for a few levels. Shell model calculations performed with judicious truncation over the π(gdsh) valence space interpret the structure of only the low-lying levels up to Jπ = 19+ and 9-. N = 82 neutron-core breaking is found to be essential for high spin states with excitation energies Ex > 7 MeV.

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arXiv2013

Superdeformation and alpha - cluster structure in 35Cl

A superdeformed (SD) band has been identified in a non - alpha - conjugate nucleus 35Cl. It crosses the negative parity ground band above 11/2- and becomes the yrast at 15/2-. Lifetimes of all relevant states have been measured to follow the evolution of collectivity. Enhanced B(E2), B(E1) values as well as energetics provide evidences for superdeformation and existence of parity doublet cluster structure in an odd-A nucleus for the first time in A = 40 region. Large scale shell model calculations assign (sd)16(pf)3 as the origin of these states. Calculated spectroscopic factors correlate the SD states in 35Cl to those in 36Ar.

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arXiv2012

Pairing and shell evolution in neutron rich nuclei

From the experimental data on odd-even staggering of masses, we have shown that variation of pairing as a function of neutron number plays an important role in many distinctive features like occurrence of new shell closures, shell erosion, anomalous reduction of the energy of the first 2+ state and slower increase in the B(E2, 2_{+}^{1} \rightarrow 0_{+}^{1}) in the neutron-rich even-even nuclei in different mass regions. New predictions have been made in a model independent way. Results of theoretical calculations support the phenomenological findings.

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