arXiv subjects

P. Mohr

Publications and source records attributed to P. Mohr.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Dust absorption and scattering in the silicon K-edge

The composition and properties of interstellar silicate dust are not well understood. In X-rays, interstellar dust can be studied in detail by making use of the fine structure features in the Si K-edge. The features in the Si K-edge offer a range of possibilities to study silicon-bearing dust, such as investigating the crystallinity, abundance, and the chemical composition along a given line of sight. We present newly acquired laboratory measurements of the silicon K-edge of several silicate-compounds that complement our measurements from our earlier pilot study. The resulting dust extinction profiles serve as templates for the interstellar extinction that we observe. The extinction profiles were used to model the interstellar dust in the dense environments of the Galaxy. The laboratory measurements, taken at the Soleil synchrotron facility in Paris, were adapted for astrophysical data analysis and implemented in the SPEX spectral fitting program. The models were used to fit the spectra of nine low-mass X-ray binaries located in the Galactic center neighborhood in order to determine the dust properties along those lines of sight. Most lines of sight can be fit well by amorphous olivine. We also established upper limits on the amount of crystalline material that the modeling allows. We obtained values of the total silicon abundance, silicon dust abundance, and depletion along each of the sightlines. We find a possible gradient of $0.06\pm0.02$ dex/kpc for the total silicon abundance versus the Galactocentric distance. We do not find a relation between the depletion and the extinction along the line of sight.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2018

Cross sections of $α$-induced reactions slightly below doubly-magic $^{40}$Ca from the statistical model

New experimental data for the $^{38}$Ar($α$,n)$^{41}$Ca and $^{38}$Ar($α$,p)$^{41}$K reactions were used to find a best-fit set of parameters for statistical model calculations. The very good agreement between the experimental data and the best-fit calculation confirms the applicability of the statistical model for nuclei in the vicinity of the doubly-magic $^{40}$Ca despite of their relatively low level densities. The present study investigates the sensitivities and finds that the $α$-nucleus and the nucleon-nucleus potentials are the most important ingredients for the calculation of ($α$,n) and ($α$,p) reactions in the statistical model. Furthermore, the width fluctuation correction plays an essential role in the peculiar case of $^{38}$Ar. The best-fit parameters from $^{38}$Ar are applied to the mirror nucleus $^{38}$Ca and the neighboring $^{36}$Ar and $^{40}$Ar nuclei. For $^{38}$Ca this results in an astrophysical reaction rate of the $^{38}$Ca($α$,p)$^{41}$Sc reaction which has a flatter temperature dependence compared to all previous calculations. For $^{40}$Ar a better reproduction of $^{40}$Ar($α$,p)$^{43}$K data from literature is obtained. The disagreement between calculation and an early experimental data point for the $^{36}$Ar($α$,p)$^{39}$K reaction persists.

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arXiv2018

alpha-induced reactions on 115In: cross section measurements and statistical model analysis

[Background] Alpha-nucleus optical potentials are basic ingredients of statistical model calculations used in nucleosynthesis simulations. While the nucleon+nucleus optical potential is fairly well known, for the alpha+nucleus optical potential several different parameter sets exist and large deviations, reaching sometimes even an order of magnitude, are found between the cross section predictions calculated using different parameter sets. [Purpose] A measurement of the radiative alpha-capture and the alpha-induced reaction cross sections on the nucleus 115In at low energies allows a stringent test of statistical model predictions. Since experimental data is scarce in this mass region, this measurement can be an important input to test the global applicability of alpha+nucleus optical model potentials and further ingredients of the statistical model. [Methods] The reaction cross sections were measured by means of the activation method. The produced activities were determined by off-line detection of the gamma-rays and characteristic x-rays emitted during the electron capture decay of the produced Sb isotopes. The 115In(alpha,gamma)119Sb and 115In(alpha,n)118Sbm reaction cross sections were measured between Ec.m. = 8.83 MeV - 15.58 MeV, and the 115In(alpha,n)118Sbg reaction was studied between Ec.m. = 11.10 MeV - 15.58 MeV. The theoretical analysis was performed within the statistical model.

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arXiv2017

The 95zr(n, gamma)96zr cross section from the surrogate ratio method and its effect on the s-process nucleosynthesis

The 95Zr(n,gamma)96Zr reaction cross section is crucial in the modelling of s-process nucleosynthesis in asymptotic giant branch stars because it controls the operation of the branching point at the unstable 95Zr and the subsequent production of 96Zr. We have carried out the measurement of the 94Zr(18O,16O) and 90Zr(18O,16O) reactions and obtained the gamma-decay probability ratio of 96Zr* and 92Zr* to determine the 95Zr(n,gamma)96Zr reaction cross sections with the surrogate ratio method. Our deduced maxwellian-averaged cross section of 66+-16 mb at 30 keV is close to the value recommended by Bao et al. (2000), but 30% and more than a factor of two larger than the values proposed by Toukan & Kappeler (1990) and Lugaro et al. (2014), respectively, and routinely used in s-process models. We tested the new rate in stellar models with masses between 2 and 6 Msun and metallicities 0.014 and 0.03. The largest changes - up 80% variations in 96Zr - are seen in models of mass 3-4 Msun, where the 22Ne neutron source is mildly activated. The new rate can still provide a match to data from meteoritic stardust silicon carbide grains, provided the maximum mass of the parent stars is below 4 Msun, for a metallicity of 0.03.

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arXiv2017

Statistical model analysis of $α$-induced reaction cross sections of $^{64}$Zn at low energies

Background $α$-nucleus potentials play an essential role for the calculation of $α$-induced reaction cross sections at low energies in the statistical model. Uncertainties of these calculations are related to ambiguities in the adjustment of the potential parameters to experimental elastic scattering angular distributions (typically at higher energies) and to the energy dependence of the effective $α$-nucleus potentials. Purpose The present work studies cross sections of $α$-induced reactions for $^{64}$Zn at low energies and their dependence on the chosen input parameters of the statistical model calculations. The new experimental data from the recent Atomki experiments allow for a $χ^2$-based estimate of the uncertainties of calculated cross sections at very low energies. Method The recent data for the ($α$,$γ$), ($α$,$n$), and ($α$,$p$) reactions on $^{64}$Zn are compared to calculations in the statistical model. A survey of the parameter space of the widely used computer code TALYS is given, and the properties of the obtained $χ^2$ landscape are discussed. Results The best fit to the experimental data at low energies shows $χ^2/F \approx 7.7$ per data point which corresponds to an average deviation of about 30% between the best fit and the experimental data. Several combinations of the various ingredients of the statistical model are able to reach a reasonably small $χ^2/F$, not exceeding the best-fit result by more than a factor of 2. Conclusions The present experimental data for $^{64}$Zn in combination with the statistical model calculations allow to constrain the astrophysical reaction rate within about a factor of 2. However, the significant excess of $χ^2/F$ of the best-fit from unity asks for further improvement of the statistical model calculations and in particular the $α$-nucleus potential.

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arXiv2016

$α$-scattering and $α$-induced reaction cross sections of $^{64}$Zn at low energies

Background: alpha-nucleus potentials play an essential role for the calculation of alpha-induced reaction cross sections at low energies in the statistical model... Purpose: The present work studies the total reaction cross section sigma_reac of alpha-induced reactions at low energies which can be determined from the elastic scattering angular distribution or from the sum over the cross sections of all open non-elastic channels. Method: Elastic and inelastic 64Zn(a,a)64Zn angular distributions were measured at two energies around the Coulomb barrier at 12.1 MeV and 16.1 MeV. Reaction cross sections of the (a,g), (a,n), and (a,p) reactions were measured at the same energies using the activation technique. The contributions of missing non-elastic channels were estimated from statistical model calculations. Results: The total reaction cross sections from elastic scattering and from the sum of the cross sections over all open non-elastic channels agree well within the uncertainties. This finding confirms the consistency of the experimental data. At the higher energy of 16.1 MeV, the predicted significant contribution of compound-inelastic scattering to the total reaction cross section is confirmed experimentally. As a by-product it is found that most recent global alpha-nucleus potentials are able to describe the reaction cross sections for 64Zn around the Coulomb barrier. Conclusions: Total reaction cross sections of alpha-induced reactions can be well determined from elastic scattering angular distributions. The present study proves experimentally that the total cross section from elastic scattering is identical to the sum of non-elastic reaction cross sections. Thus, the statistical model can reliably be used to distribute the total reaction cross section among the different open channels.

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arXiv2015

The 106Cd(alpha,alpha)106Cd elastic scattering in a wide energy range for gamma-process studies

Alpha elastic scattering angular distributions of the 106Cd(alpha,alpha)106Cd reaction were measured at three energies around the Coulomb barrier to provide a sensitive test for the alpha + nucleus optical potential parameter sets. Furthermore, the new high precision angular distributions, together with the data available from the literature were used to study the energy dependence of the locally optimized α+nucleus optical potential in a wide energy region ranging from E_Lab = 27.0 MeV down to 16.1 MeV. The potentials under study are a basic prerequisite for the prediction of alpha-induced reaction cross sections and thus, for the calculation of stellar reaction rates used for the astrophysical gamma process. Therefore, statistical model predictions using as input the optical potentials discussed in the present work are compared to the available 106Cd + alpha cross section data.

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arXiv2014

Thermonuclear reaction rate of $^{18}$Ne($α$,$p$)$^{21}$Na from Monte-Carlo calculations

The $^{18}$Ne($α$,$p$)$^{21}$Na reaction impacts the break-out from the hot CNO-cycles to the $rp$-process in type I X-ray bursts. We present a revised thermonuclear reaction rate, which is based on the latest experimental data. The new rate is derived from Monte-Carlo calculations, taking into account the uncertainties of all nuclear physics input quantities. In addition, we present the reaction rate uncertainty and probability density versus temperature. Our results are also consistent with estimates obtained using different indirect approaches.

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arXiv2014

Investigation of thermonuclear $^{18}$Ne($α$,$p$)$^{21}$Na rate via resonant elastic scattering of $^{21}$Na+$p$

The $^{18}$Ne($α$,$p$)$^{21}$Na reaction is thought to be one of the key breakout reactions from the hot CNO cycles to the rp-process in type I x-ray bursts. In this work, the resonant properties of the compound nucleus $^{22}$Mg have been investigated by measuring the resonant elastic scattering of $^{21}$Na+$p$. An 89 MeV $^{21}$Na radioactive beam delivered from the CNS Radioactive Ion Beam Separator bombarded an 8.8 mg/cm$^2$ thick polyethylene (CH$_{2}$)$_{n}$ target. The $^{21}$Na beam intensity was about 2$\times$10$^{5}$ pps, with a purity of about 70% on target. The recoiled protons were measured at the center-of-mass scattering angles of $θ_{c.m.}$$\approx$175.2${^\circ}$, 152.2${^\circ}$, and 150.5${^\circ}$ by three sets of $ΔE$-$E$ telescopes, respectively. The excitation function was obtained with the thick-target method over energies $E_x$($^{22}$Mg)=5.5--9.2 MeV. In total, 23 states above the proton-threshold in $^{22}$Mg were observed, and their resonant parameters were determined via an $R$-matrix analysis of the excitation functions. We have made several new $J^π$ assignments and confirmed some tentative assignments made in previous work. The thermonuclear $^{18}$Ne($α$,$p$)$^{21}$Na rate has been recalculated based on our recommended spin-parity assignments. The astrophysical impact of our new rate has been investigated through one-zone postprocessing x-ray burst calculations. We find that the $^{18}$Ne($α$,$p$)$^{21}$Na rate significantly affects the peak nuclear energy generation rate, reaction fluxes, as well as the onset temperature of this breakout reaction in these astrophysical phenomena.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2013

$^{110,116}$Cd($α,α$)$^{110,116}$Cd elastic scattering and systematic investigation of elastic $α$ scattering cross sections along the $Z$ = 48 isotopic and $N$ = 62 isotonic chains

The elastic scattering cross sections for the reactions $^{110,116}$Cd($α,α$)$^{110,116}$Cd at energies above and below the Coulomb barrier are presented to provide a sensitive test for the alpha-nucleus optical potential parameter sets. Additional constraints for the optical potential are taken from the analysis of elastic scattering excitation functions at backward angles which are available in literature. Moreover, the variation of the elastic alpha scattering cross sections along the $Z = 48$ isotopic and $N = 62$ isotonic chain is investigated by the study of the ratios of the of $^{106,110,116}$Cd($α,α$)$^{106,110,116}$Cd scattering cross sections at E$_{c.m.} \approx$ 15.6 and 18.8 MeV and the ratio of the $^{110}$Cd($α,α$)$^{110}$Cd and $^{112}$Sn($α,α$)$^{112}$Sn reaction cross sections at E$_{c.m.} \approx$ 18.8 MeV, respectively. These ratios are sensitive probes for the alpha-nucleus optical potential parameterizations. The potentials under study are a basic prerequisite for the prediction of $α$-induced reaction cross sections, e.g.\ for the calculation of stellar reaction rates in the astrophysical $p$- or $γ$-process.

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arXiv2013

High precision $^{113}$In($α,α$)$^{113}$In elastic scattering at energies around the Coulomb barrier for the astrophysical $γ$ process

The $γ$ process in supernova explosions is thought to explain the origin of proton-rich isotopes between Se and Hg, the so-called $p$ nuclei. The majority of the reaction rates for $γ$ process reaction network studies has to be predicted in Hauser-Feshbach statistical model calculations using global optical potential parameterizations. While the nucleon+nucleus optical potential is fairly known, for the $α$+nucleus optical potential several different parameterizations exist and large deviations are found between the predictions calculated using different parameter sets. By the measurement of elastic $α$-scattering angular distributions at energies around the Coulomb barrier a comprehensive test for the different global $α$+nucleus optical potential parameter sets is provided. Between 20$^{\circ}$ and 175$^{\circ}$ complete elastic alpha scattering angular distributions were measured on the $^{113}$In \textit{p} nucleus with high precision at E$_{c.m.}$ = 15.59 and 18.82 MeV. The elastic scattering cross sections of the $^{113}$In($α$,$α$)$^{113}$In reaction were measured for the first time at energies close to the astrophysically relevant energy region. The high precision experimental data were used to evaluate the predictions of the recent global and regional $α$+nucleus optical potentials. Parameters for a local $α$+nucleus optical potential were derived from the measured angular distributions. Predictions for the reaction cross sections of $^{113}$In($α,γ$)$^{117}$Sb and $^{113}$In($α$,n)$^{116}$Sb at astrophysically relevant energies were given using the global and local optical potential parameterizations.

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arXiv2013

Examination and experimental constraints of the stellar reaction rate factor $N_A < σv >$ of the $^{18}$Ne($α$,$p$)$^{21}$Na reaction at temperatures of X-Ray Bursts

The $^{18}$Ne($α$,$p$)$^{21}$Na reaction is one key for the break-out from the hot CNO-cycles to the $rp$-process. Recent papers have provided reaction rate factors $N_A < σv >$ which are discrepant by at least one order of magnitude. The compatibility of the latest experimental results is tested, and a partial explanation for the discrepant $N_A<σv>$ is given. A new rate factor is derived from the combined analysis of all available data. The new rate factor is located slightly below the higher rate factor by Matic {\it et al.}\ at low temperatures and significantly below at higher temperatures whereas it is about a factor of five higher than the lower rate factor recently published by Salter {\it et al.}

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2012

Elastic alpha scattering experiments and the alpha-nucleus optical potential at low energies

High precision angular distribution data of ($α$,$α$) elastic scattering are presented for the nuclei $^{89}$Y, $^{92}$Mo, $^{106,110,116}$Cd, $^{112,124}$Sn, and $^{144}$Sm at energies around the Coulomb barrier. Such data with small experimental uncertainties over the full angular range (20-170 degrees) are the indispensable prerequisite for the extraction of local optical potentials and for the determination of the total reaction cross section $σ_{\rm{reac}}$. A systematic fitting procedure was applied to the presented experimental scattering data to obtain comprehensive local potential parameter sets which are composed of a real folding potential and an imaginary potential of Woods-Saxon surface type. The obtained potential parameters were used in turn to construct a new systematic $α$-nucleus potential with very few parameters. Although this new potential cannot reproduce the angular distributions with the same small deviations as the local potential, the new potential is able to predict the total reaction cross sections for all cases under study.

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arXiv2012

Relation between total cross sections from elastic scattering and alpha-induced reactions: the example of 64Zn

The total reaction cross section is related to the elastic scattering angular distribution by a basic quantum-mechanical relation. We present new experimental data for alpha-induced reaction cross sections on 64Zn which allow for the first time the experimental verification of this simple relation at low energies by comparison of the new experimental reaction data to the result obtained from 64Zn(alpha,alpha)64Zn elastic scattering.

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arXiv2011

Experimental study of alpha-induced reactions on 64Zn for the astrophysical gamma-process

For the synthesis of the heavy, proton rich isotopes in the astrophysical gamma-process the precise knowledge of alpha-induced cross sections is of high importance. We have initiated a comprehensive study of the 64Zn+alpha system involving the cross section measurement of different reaction channels as well as the elastic scattering at low, astrophysically relevant energies. In this paper the experimental technique and some preliminary results of the 64Zn(alpha,p)67Ga cross section measurement are presented.

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arXiv2011

Opportunities to constrain astrophysical reaction rates for the s-process through determination of the ground state cross sections

Modern models of s-process nucleosynthesis in stars require stellar reaction rates with high precision. Most of the neutron capture cross sections in the s-process have been measured and for an increasing number of reactions the required precision is achieved. This does not necessarily mean, however, that the stellar rates are constrained equally well because only capture on the ground state of a target is measured in the laboratory. Captures on excited states can considerably contribute to stellar rates already at typical s-process temperatures. We show that the ground state contribution X to a stellar rate is the relevant measure to identify reactions which are or could be well constrained by experiments and apply it to (n,gamma) reactions in the s-process. It is further shown that the maximally possible reduction in uncertainty of a rate through determination of the g.s. cross section is directly given by X. An error analysis of X is presented and it is found that X is a robust measure with overall small uncertainties. Several specific examples (neutron capture on 79Se, 95Zr, 121Sn, 187Os, and 193Pt) are discussed in detail. The ground state contributions for a set of 411 neutron capture reactions around the s-process path are presented in a table. This allows to identify reactions which may be better constrained by experiments and such which cannot be constrained by only measuring ground state cross sections (and thus require supplementary studies). General trends and implications are discussed.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2010

Reanalysis of the (J = 5) state at 592 keV in 180Ta and its role in the neutrino-process nucleosynthesis of 180Ta in supernovae

We analyze the production and freeze-out of the isomer 180Tam in the neutrino-process. We consider the influence of a possible low-lying intermediate (J = 5) state at 592 keV using a transition width estimated from the measured half-life. This more realistic width is much smaller than the previous estimate.We find that the 592-keV state leads only to a small reduction of the residual isomer population ratio from the previous result; that is, considering this better estimate for the transition width, the isomer population ratio changes from R = 0.39 to R = 0.38, whereas previously it was estimated that this transition could reduce the ratio to R = 0.18. This finding strengthens the evidence that 138La and 180Ta are coproduced by neutrino nucleosynthesis with an electron neutrino temperature of kT~4 MeV.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

High precision $^{89}$Y($α$,$α$)$^{89}$Y scattering at low energies

Elastic scattering cross sections of the $^{89}$Y($α$,$α$)$^{89}$Y reaction have been measured at energies E$_{c.m.}$ = 15.51 and 18.63 MeV. The high precision data for the semi-magic $N = 50$ nucleus $^{89}$Y are used to derive a local potential and to evaluate the predictions of global and regional $α$-nucleus potentials. The variation of the elastic alpha scattering cross sections along the $N = 50$ isotonic chain is investigated by a study of the ratios of angular distributions for $^{89}$Y($α$,$α$)$^{89}$Y and $^{92}$Mo($α$,$α$)$^{92}$Mo at E$_{c.m.} \approx$ 15.51 and 18.63 MeV. This ratio is a very sensitive probe at energies close to the Coulomb barrier, where scattering data alone is usually not enough to characterize the different potentials. Furthermore, $α$-cluster states in $^{93}$Nb = $^{89}$Y $\otimes$ $α$ are investigated.

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