arXiv subjects

P. Figuera

Publications and source records attributed to P. Figuera.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Evaluation of SiC detector performances for energy and timing measurements

The development of new detectors based on Silicon Carbide (SiC) is currently a topic of interest within the scientific community. The significant features of SiC make it highly promising for detecting charged particles, neutrons, and $\gamma$/X radiation. In this framework, within the SAMOTHRACE (Sicilian Micro and Nano Technology Research and Innovation Center) ecosystem, an array of new-generation SiC detectors is under development, specifically designed for nuclear and medical investigations using radioactive ion beams. This paper describes the results obtained in the characterization of SiC prototypes regarding energy and timing measurements. A new method, based on coincidence data analysis, is employed to evaluate the timing performances of SiC detectors. The obtained results have been compared with tests performed using a micro-channel plate as a start detector reference for timing measurements.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Breakup mechanisms in the 6He+64Zn reaction at near-barrier energies

New experimental results for the elastic scattering of 6He on 64Zn at incident energies of 15.0 and 18.0 MeV and 4He at 17.5 MeV along with results already published at 10.0 and 13.6 MeV, are presented. Elastic and alpha experimental cross sections are compared with coupled-reaction-channel, continuum-discretized coupledchannel, and DWBA inclusive-breakup models. The large yield of alpha particles observed at all measured energies can be explained by considering a nonelastic breakup mechanism.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Strong resonances at high excitation energy in 17O+alpha resonance scattering

The Thick Target Inverse Kinematic (TTIK) approach was used to measure excitation functions for the elastic 17O (α, α) scattering at the initial 17O beam energy of 54.4 MeV. We observed strong peaks corresponding to highly excited α-cluster states in the 21Ne excitation energy region of 8-16 MeV, which have never been investigated before. Additional tests were done at a 17O beam energy of 56.4 MeV to estimate a possible contribution of resonance inelastic scattering.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2013

Comprehensive Measurement of Neutron Yield Produced by 62 MeV Protons on Beryllium Target

A low-power prototype of neutron amplifier, based on a 70 MeV, high current proton cyclotron being installed at LNL for the SPES RIB facility, was recently proposed within INFN-E project. This prototype uses a thick Beryllium converter to produce a fast neutron spectrum feeding a sub-critical reactor core. To complete the design of such facility the new measurement of neutron yield from a thick Beryllium target was performed at LNS. This measurement used liquid scintillator detectors to identify produced neutrons by Pulse Shape Discrimination and Time of Flight technique to measure neutron energy in the range 0.5-62 MeV. To extend the covered neutron energy range He3 detector was used to measure neutrons below 0.5 MeV. The obtained yields were normalized to the charge deposited by the proton beam on the metallic Beryllium target. These techniques allowed to achieve a wide angular coverage from 0 to 150 degrees and to explore almost complete neutron energy interval.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2013

Measurement of neutron yield by 62 MeV proton beam on a thick Beryllium target

The design of a low-power prototype of neutron amplifier recently proposed within the INFN-E project indicated the need for more accurate called for detailed data on the neutron yield produced by a proton beam with energy of about 70 MeV impinging on a thick Beryllium target. Such measurement was performed at the LNS superconducting cyclotron, covering a wide angular range from 0 to 150 degrees and a complete neutron energy interval from thermal to beam energy. Neutrons with energy above 0.5 MeV were measured by liquid scintillators exploiting their Time of Flight to determine the kinetic energy. For lower energy neutrons, down to thermal energy, a $^3$He detector was used. The obtained data are in good agreement with previous measurements at 0 degree with 66 MeV proton beam, covering neutron energies >10 MeV, as well as with measurements at few selected angles with protons of 46, 55 and 113 MeV energy. The present results extend the neutron yield data in the 60-70 MeV beam energy range. A comparison of measured yields to MCNP and Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations was performed.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2012

Measurement of neutron yield by 62 MeV proton beam on a thick Beryllium target

In the framework of research on IVth generation reactors and high intensity neutron sources a low-power prototype neutron amplifier was recently proposed by INFN. It is based on a low-energy, high current proton cyclotron, whose beam, impinging on a thick Beryllium converter, produces a fast neutron spectrum. The world database on the neutron yield from thick Beryllium target in the 70 MeV proton energy domain is rather scarce. The new measurement was performed at LNS, covering a wide angular range from 0 to 150 degrees and an almost complete neutron energy interval. In this contribution the preliminary data are discussed together with the proposed ADS facility.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2008

Isospin Dependence of Incomplete Fusion Reactions at 25 Mev/a

40Ca+40,48Ca,46Ti reactions at 25 MeV/A have been studied using the 4p CHIMERA detector. An isospin effect on the competition between incomplete fusion and dissipative binary reaction mechanisms has been observed. The probability of producing a compound system is observed to be lower in the case of N=Z colliding systems as compared to the case of reactions induced on the more neutron rich 48Ca target. Predictions based on CoMD-II calculations show that the competition between fusion-like and dissipative reactions, for the selected centrality, can strongly constraint the parameterization of symmetry energy and its density dependence in the nuclear equation of state.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2007

alpha-particle production in the scattering of 6He by 208Pb at energies around the Coulomb barrier

New experimental data from the scattering of 6He+208Pb at energies around and below the Coulomb barrier are presented. The yield of breakup products coming from projectile fragmentation is dominated by a strong group of $α$ particles. The energy and angular distributions of this group have been analyzed and compared with theoretical calculations. This analysis indicates that the $α$ particles emitted at backward angles in this reaction are mainly due to two-neutron transfer to weakly bound states of the final nucleus.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2007

The CORALIE survey for southern extra-solar planets XV. Discovery of two eccentric planets orbiting HD4113 and HD156846

We report the detection of two very eccentric planets orbiting HD4113 and HD156846 with the CORALIE Echelle spectrograph mounted on the 1.2-m Euler Swiss telescope at La Silla. The first planet, HD4113b, has minimum mass of $m\sin{i}=1.6\pm0.2 M_{\rm Jup}$, a period of $P=526.59\pm0.21$ days and an eccentricity of $e=0.903\pm0.02$. It orbits a metal rich G5V star at $a=1.28$ AU which displays an additional radial velocity drift of 28 m s$^{-1}$/yr observed during 8 years. The combination of the radial-velocity data and the non-detection of any main sequence stellar companion in our high contrast images taken at the VLT with NACO/SDI, characterizes the companion as a probable brown dwarf or as a faint white dwarf. The second planet, \object{HD 156846 b}, has minimum mass of $m\sin{i}=10.45\pm0.05$ M$_{\rm Jup}$, a period of $P=359.51\pm0.09 $ days, an eccentricity of $e=0.847\pm0.002$ and is located at $a=1.0$ AU from its parent star. HD156846 is a metal rich G0 dwarf and is also the primary of a wide binary system ($a>250$ AU, $P>4000$ years). Its stellar companion, \object{IDS 17147-1914 B}, is a M4 dwarf. The very high eccentricities of both planets can be explained by Kozai oscillations induced by the presence of a third object.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Indirect study of 19Ne states near the 18F+p threshold

The early E < 511 keV gamma-ray emission from novae depends critically on the 18F(p,a)15O reaction. Unfortunately the reaction rate of the 18F(p,a)15O reaction is still largely uncertain due to the unknown strengths of low-lying proton resonances near the 18F+p threshold which play an important role in the nova temperature regime. We report here our last results concerning the study of the d(18F,p)19F(alpha)15N transfer reaction. We show in particular that these two low-lying resonances cannot be neglected. These results are then used to perform a careful study of the remaining uncertainties associated to the 18F(p,a)15O and 18F(p,g)19Ne reaction rates.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2005

The 7Be(d,p)2alpha cross section at Big Bang energies and the primordial 7Li abundance

The WMAP satellite, devoted to the observations of the anisotropies of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation, has recently provided a determination of the baryonic density of the Universe with unprecedented precision. Using this, Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) calculations predict a primordial 7Li abundance which is a factor 2-3 higher than that observed in galactic halo dwarf stars. It has been argued that this discrepancy could be resolved if the 7Be(d,p)2alpha reaction rate is around a factor of 100 larger than has previously been considered. We have now studied this reaction, for the first time at energies appropriate to the Big Bang environment, at the CYCLONE radioactive beam facility at Louvain-la-Neuve. The cross section was found to be a factor of 10 smaller than derived from earlier measurements. It is concluded therefore that nuclear uncertainties cannot explain the discrepancy between observed and predicted primordial 7Li abundances, and an alternative astrophysical solution must be investigated.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

D(18F,pa)15N reaction applied to nova gamma-ray emission

The 18F(p,alpha)15O reaction is recognized to be one of the most important reactions for nova gamma-ray astronomy as it governs the early E <= 511keV gamma emission. However in the nova temperature regime, its rate remains largely uncertain due to unknown low-energy resonance strengths. We report here the measurement of the D(18F,p)19F(alpha)15N one-nucleon transfer reaction, induced by a 14 MeV 18F radioactive beam impinging on a CD2 target; outgoing protons and 15N (or alpha-particles) were detected in coincidence in two silicon strip detectors. A DWBA analysis of the data resulted in new limits to the contribution of low-energy resonances to the rate of the 18F(p,alpha)15O reaction.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2002

Study of the ^18F(p, alpha)^15O reaction for application to nova gamma-ray emission

The ^18F(p, alpha)^15O reaction is recognized as one of the most important reaction for nova gamma-ray astronomy as it governs the early =< 511 keV emission. However, its rate remains largely uncertain at nova temperatures due to unknown low-energy resonance strengths. In order to better constrain this reaction rate, we have studied the one-nucleon transfer reaction, D(^18F,p alpha)^15N, at the CRC-RIB facility at Louvain La Neuve.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2002

A new experiment for the determination of the 18F(p,alpha) reaction rate at nova temperatures

The 18F(p,alpha) reaction was recognized as one of the most important for gamma ray astronomy in novae as it governs the early 511 keV emission. However, its rate remains largely uncertain at nova temperatures. A direct measurement of the cross section over the full range of nova energies is impossible because of its vanishing value at low energy and of the short 18F lifetime. Therefore, in order to better constrain this reaction rate, we have performed an indirect experiment taking advantage of the availability of a high purity and intense radioactive 18F beam at the Louvain La Neuve RIB facility. We present here the first results of the data analysis and discuss the consequences.

nucl-ex↗