arXiv subjects

Pushpendra P. Singh

Publications and source records attributed to Pushpendra P. Singh.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Performance Evaluation of a High-Granularity LYSO-SiPM-Based Position-Sensitive Detector for a One-Shot Gamma-Scanning System with Sub-Millimeter Spatial Resolution

A compact position-sensitive {\gamma}-detector based on a thin monolithic LYSO crystal and a 96-channel SiPM array is developed for the spatial characterization and calibration of segmented {\gamma}-ray detector systems used in nuclear-physics experiments. The detector is designed to provide localized irradiation and rapid two-dimensional response mapping. A 7 cm diameter and 3 mm thick LYSO crystal is optically coupled to the SiPM array, and the position of the incident {\gamma}-ray interaction is reconstructed from the relative scintillation-light signals collected by neighboring SiPM channels. An asymmetry-based charge-sharing method is employed to determine the interaction position from the spatial distribution of the detected scintillation light. Detailed GEANT4 simulations, including optical photon transport, were performed to investigate the detector response and estimate its intrinsic spatial resolution. The simulations predict a spatial resolution of approximately 0.5 mm for 60 keV and 511 keV {\gamma}-rays under idealized conditions. A prototype detector was developed and experimentally characterized using coincidence measurements with the {\gamma}-scanning facility at GSI, Germany. The experimental measurements demonstrate a spatial resolution better than 1 mm in the central detector region, while the position-dependent response and degradation near the detector boundaries are investigated. The experimental results are compared with GEANT4 predictions to identify the contributions of optical photon transport, charge sharing, and detector geometry to the measured spatial resolution. The developed detector provides a compact solution for the three-dimensional characterization of highly segmented {\gamma}-ray detector arrays in nuclear physics experiments.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Investigating the fission-like fragments in the $^{12}$C + $^{208}$Pb system at E$^{\star}$ $\approx$ 31.8--45.4 MeV

In this work, the cross-sections of 25 fission-like fragments within the mass range 76$\leq$A$\leq$141, expected to be populated via fission of moderately excited compound nucleus produced as a result of complete and/or incomplete fusion in $^{12}$C+$^{208}$Pb reaction at E$_{\rm lab}$ = 81.9 and 75.8 MeV, have been measured using activation technique followed by offline $γ$-ray spectroscopy. The yields of different fission-like fragments have been analyzed to generate isotopic and isobaric yield distributions. The value of the mass dispersion parameter, $σ^2_A$, is found to be 2.93 and 2.65 for Antimony (Sb) isotope at excitation energy E$^{\star}$ = 45.4 and 39.6 MeV, and 1.24 for Indium (In) isotope at E$^{\star}$ = 45.4 MeV. The charge dispersion parameter $σ_Z$ for Sb is estimated to be 0.769 and 0.714 at E$^{\star}$ = 45.4 and 39.6 MeV, respectively. For In isotopes, the value of $σ_Z$ is estimated to be 0.430 at E$^{\star}$ = 45.4 MeV. The value of mass and charge dispersion parameters for Sb and In isotopes have been found to be in good agreement with the values reported in the literature for similar systems. The mass distribution of fission-like fragments is found to be fitted with a Gaussian function, except for a few data points, indicating their population via compound nucleus fission. Further, the mass variance ($σ^2_M$) displays linear increment with an increase in excitation energy. Two medically important isotopes, $^{99m}$Tc and $^{111}$In, are populated in this system, suggesting a potential formation route.

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arXiv2024

Exploring $\beta^+$ decay/EC residues in $^{118}$Sn($^{12}$C,x)$^{130}$Ba reaction

The fusion cross-sections of $^{126}$Ba, $^{127,126,125}$Cs, $^{125,123,122}$Xe and $^{124,123}$I residues, populated via $x$n, p$x$n, $\alpha$$x$n, and $\alpha$p$x$n channels, have been measured in $^{12}$C+$^{118}$Sn system at E$_{\textrm{lab}}$ $\approx$ 65-85 MeV using offline $\gamma$-spectroscopy. To gain insights into the formation and decay modes of these residues, experimentally measured cross-sections have been analyzed using the statistical model codes PACE4 and EMPIRE. In the analysis, the cross-sections of p$x$n ($^{127,126,125}$Cs), $\alpha$xn ($^{125}$Xe), and $\alpha$p$x$n ($^{123}$I) channels are substantially fed from their higher charge isobars via $\beta^+$ decay and electron capture. The contribution of $\beta^+$ decay and electron capture has been calculated using the prescription of Cavinato $et$ $al.$\cite{cavinato1995study} and the independent cross-sections of these residues have been compared with PACE4 and EMPIRE calculations, which fairly reproduce the independent cross-sections of evaporation-residue within the experimental uncertainties. Interestingly, it has been observed that the $\alpha$-emitting channels, contrary to established findings in reactions involving $\alpha$ cluster projectiles (e.g., $^{12}$C, $^{16}$O, etc.) at the studied energy range, display negligible or no contribution of incomplete fusion (ICF) in $^{12}$C+$^{118}$Sn system. The absence of ICF has been verified through a complementary experiment in which the forward recoil ranges of $^{126}$Ba(4n) and $^{125}$Xe($\alpha$n) channels have been measured. Present measurements reveal anomalous suppression of ICF in the $^{12}$C+$^{118}$Sn system, providing new constraints on entrance-channel mass-asymmetry systematics absent in prior data.

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arXiv2024

Incomplete fusion in $^{193}$Ir($^{12}$C, x)$^{205}$Bi reaction at $E_{lab}$ $\approx$ 5-7 AMeV

Low-energy heavy-ion induced reactions often involve incomplete fusion, but the dependence of ICF on various entrance-channel parameters remains unclear. In this work, we measure channel-by-channel production cross-sections of different evaporation residues populated via complete and/or incomplete fusion in $^{12}$C+$^{193}$Ir system at $E_{lab}$ $\approx$ 64--84 MeV ($\approx$ 5--7 AMeV) using the stacked-foil activation technique followed by offline $\gamma$-spectroscopy. Experimentally measured excitation functions have been analyzed in the framework of the statistical model code PACE4 using different values of the level-density parameter ($a$ = A/9-A/15 MeV${^{-1}}$). In the analysis of excitation functions, the $xn$ and $pxn$ channels (after correcting with their precursor contributions) have been explained fairly well with $a$ = A/13 MeV${^{-1}}$; however, almost all $\alpha$-emitting channels showed substantial enhancement over PACE4 predictions, which has been attributed to incomplete fusion. The incomplete fusion fraction ($F_{ICF}$) increases linearly with energy from 12\% to 18\% at 64 and 84 MeV, respectively. For better insights into the onset and strength of ICF, the variations of $F_{ICF}$ have been studied as a function of different entrance-channel parameters, which are found to increase with mass asymmetry, Coulomb factor, and neutron skin thickness. Further analysis of the data suggests the onset of ICF below the critical angular momentum ($\ell<\ell_{crit}$). Projectile breakup-driven incomplete fusion is found to suppress complete fusion by $\approx12\%$ and $\approx6\%$ w.r.t. the universal fusion function and the improved fusion function, respectively. These findings highlight the critical role of projectile structure at 5--7 AMeV energies, with implications for high-spin spectroscopy and reaction modeling.

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arXiv2024

Investigating radioactivity in soil samples from neutral and vegetation land of Punjab/India

In this work, radioactivity investigations of soil samples from neutral and agricultural sites in Punjab/India have been carried out to study the impact of land use patterns. The analysis of radiological, mineralogical, physicochemical, and morphological attributes of soil samples has been performed employing state-of-the-art techniques. The mean activity concentration of 238U, 232Th, 40K, 235U, and 137Cs, measured using a carbon-loaded p-type HPGe detector, in neutral land was observed as 58.03, 83.95, 445.18, 2.83, and 1.16Bq kg-1, respectively. However, in vegetation land, it was found to be 40.07, 64.68, 596.74, 2.26 and 2.11Bq kg-1, respectively. In the detailed activity analysis, radium equivalent (Raeq) radioactivity is found to be in the safe prescribed limit of 370Bq kg-1 for all investigated soil samples. However, the dosimetric investigations revealed that the outdoor absorbed gamma dose rate (96.08nGy h-1) and consequent annual effective dose rate (0.12mSv y-1) for neutral land, and the gamma dose rate (82.46nGy h-1) and subsequent annual effective dose rate (0.10mSv y-1) for vegetation land marginally exceeded the global average. The surface morphology of neutral land favored more compactness, while agricultural land favored high porosity. Various heavy metals of health concern, namely As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, and Zn, were also evaluated in all soil samples using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Ecological Risk Index (RI) revealed that vegetation land was more anthropogenically contaminated than neutral land, with maximum contamination from Hg and As.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2023

Spectroscopic performance evaluation and modeling of a low background HPGe detector using GEANT4

Low background gamma spectrometry employing HPGe detectors is a sensitive technique for measuring low-level radioactivity in environmental applications, material screening, and for rare decay searches. This work presents spectroscopic performance evaluation and modelling of a low background measurement setup developed at IIT Ropar in Punjab, India, to measure trace natural radioactive elements, with a particular interest in studying low-level radioactivity in soil and/or rock samples to generate specific inputs for low background experiments. The performance test and characterization of a low background cryocooled HPGe detector with relative efficiency of $\sim$33% have been carried out. An effective detector model has been developed using GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulation to determine the response of the detector over an energy range of 80.9-1408 keV and compared with the experimental performance of the detector. The response of the detector obtained using Monte Carlo simulations agrees reasonably well within 93% level of confidence, indicating only 7% deviation in the comparison. The present setup offers improved detection limits of primordial radionuclides (U/Th and K) to measure radioactive contamination in environmental matrices, which has been used elsewhere [1].

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

Nuclear matrix elements calculation for $0νββ$ decay of $^{124}$Sn using nonclosure approach in nuclear shell model

In this study, we calculate the nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) for the light neutrino-exchange mechanism of neutrinoless double beta $0νββ$) decay of $^{124}$Sn within the framework of the interacting nuclear shell model using the effective shell model Hamiltonian GCN5082. A novel method based on a nonclosure approach is employed, wherein for the intermediate nucleus $^{124}$Sb, effects of energy of 100 states for each $J_{k}^π$=$0^{+}$ to $11^{+}$ and $2^{-}$ to $9^{-}$ ($ΔJ_{k}$=1) are explicitly included in the NMEs calculation. Other common effects such as the finite size of nucleons, higher-order effects of nucleon currents, and short-range correlations (SRC) of nucleons are also taken into account. The extracted optimal closure energy is 2.9 MeV for a total NME of $^{124}$Sn $0νββ$ decay, which is independent of different forms of SRC parametrizations. A comparison of NMEs and half-lives with some of the recent calculations is presented. Further, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of nuclear structure on the $0νββ$ decay, the dependence of NMEs on spin-parity of the intermediate states, coupled spin-parity of neutrons and protons, and the number of intermediate states, is explored. It is observed that the inclusion of the effects of excitation energies of the intermediate nucleus yields more reliable NMEs. The present findings provide valuable insights for experimental investigations of $0νββ$ decay of $^{124}$Sn in India and elsewhere.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2022

Radiopurity studies of a rock sample from the Aut region

Efforts are underway to set up an underground laboratory in India for rare event studies like double beta decay, dark matter, etc. For such experiments, mitigation of radiation background is of paramount importance and understanding ambient background at the site, originating from the rock, is one of the crucial factors. With this motivation, the radiopurity studies of a rock sample from the potential laboratory site in the Aut tunnel of Himachal Pradesh (India) have been carried out using the TIFR low background experimental setup (TiLES). The concentration of $^{40}$K in Aut rock is observed to be lower by a factor of ~1000 as compared to the samples from BWH (Bodi West Hill), Tamil Nadu (India), current designated site for India-based Neutrino Observatory. The natural radioactive trace impurity $^{232}$Th is lower in the Aut rock, while $^{238}$U is somewhat higher than the BWH rock. Overall, the ambient gamma ray background at Aut is expected to be lower than the BWH, while ambient neutron background is expected to be similar. Further, to assess the neutron-induced long lived activity, fast neutron activation studies have been carried out on the both Aut and BWH rock samples at the Pelletron Linac Facility, Mumbai.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2021

Background Estimation Studies for Positron Double Beta Decay

The study of neutrinoless double beta decay has attracted much attention as it can provide valuable information about the mass and the nature of the neutrino. The double beta decay (DBD) itself is also of interest in nuclear physics. While DBD has been observed in about a dozen nuclei, the positron double beta decay ($β^{+}β^{+}$/EC-$β^{+}$) continues to be an elusive. An important signature for $β^{+}β^{+}$ decay is the simultaneous emission of four 511 keV gamma rays and the coincident detection of these gamma rays can improve the measurement sensitivity. This paper presents an estimation of sensitivity for EC-$β^{+}$ and $β^{+}β^{+}$ employing coincidence measurement with two high purity Ge (HPGe) detectors. Simulations for coincident detection efficiency ($ε_c$) of 511 keV gamma rays with two HPGe detectors have been carried out using GEANT4 for different source geometries to optimize the mass efficiency product (M$ε_c$). The source of size $55\,mm \times 55\,mm \times 5\,mm$ (thickness) sandwiched between the front faces of the detectors were found to be optimal for 2 pairs of 511 keV gamma rays in the present detector setup. The coincident background is estimated at the sea level with moderate Pb shielding. With this setup, the sensitivity for T$_{1/2}$ measurement of EC-$β^{+}$ in $^{112}$Sn and $β^{+}β^{+}$ in $^{106}$Cd is estimated to be $\sim$10$^{19}$ - 10$^{20}$ y for 1y of measurement time.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2021

Neutron transfer in $^{9}$Be + $^{159}$Tb system

One neutron stripping cross sections ($σ_{-1n}$) are measured in $^{9}$Be+$^{159}$Tb system in the energy range E$_{cm}$/V$_{B}$ $\sim$ 0.79 - 1.24 using offline gamma counting technique. The CRC model calculations including the ground state and the 2$^{+}$ resonance state of $^{8}$Be, carried out using the FRESCO code, give a reasonable description of the measured data. In addition, comparisons of reduced 1n-stripping cross sections- $σ_{red}$ with $^{9}$Be for different target nuclei (A $\sim$150-200), and $σ_{red}$ for $^{9}$Be, $^{6}$Li with $^{159}$Tb target are presented. While no strong target dependence is observed with $^{9}$Be projectile, $σ_{red}$($^{9}$Be) is significantly larger than that for $^{6}$Li, which is consistent with the Q-value for transfer reactions and breakup threshold energy of projectiles.

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arXiv2021

Investigating neutron transfer in the $^{9}$Be + $^{197}$Au system

In this work $\textit{n}$-transfer and incomplete fusion cross sections for $^{9}$Be + $^{197}$Au system are reported over a wide energy range, E$_{c.m.}$ $\approx$ 29-45 MeV. The experiment was carried out using activation technique and off-line gamma counting. The transfer process is found to be the dominant mode as compared to all other reaction channels. Detailed coupled reaction channel (CRC) calculations have been performed for $\textit{n}$-transfer stripping and pickup cross sections. The measured 1$\textit{n}$-stripping cross sections are explained with CRC calculations by including the ground state and the 2$^{+}$ resonance state (E = 3.03 MeV) of $^{8}$Be. The calculations for 1$\textit{n}$-pickup, including only the ground state of $^{10}$Be agree reasonably well with the measured cross sections, while it overpredicts the data at subbarrier energies. For a better insight into the role of projectile structure in the transfer process, a comprehensive analysis of 1$\textit{n}$-stripping reaction has been carried out for various weakly bound projectiles on $^{197}$Au target nucleus. The transfer cross sections scaled with the square of total radius of interacting nuclei show the expected Q-value dependence of 1$\textit{n}$-stripping channel for weakly bound stable projectiles.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Fusion of Borromean nucleus $^{9}$Be with $^{197}$Au target at near barrier energies

To probe the role of the intrinsic structure of the projectile on sub-barrier fusion, measurement of fusion cross sections has been carried out in $^{9}$Be + $^{197}$Au system in the energy range E$_{c.m.}$/V$_B$ $\approx$ 0.82 to 1.16 using off-beam gamma counting method. Measured fusion excitation function has been analyzed in the framework of the coupled-channel approach using CCFULL code. It is observed that the coupled-channel calculations, including couplings to the inelastic state of the target and the first two states of the rotational band built on the ground state of the projectile, provide a very good description of the sub-barrier fusion data. At above barrier energies, the fusion cross section is found to be suppressed by $\approx$ 39(2)\% as compared to the coupled-channel prediction. A comparison of reduced excitation function of $^{9}$Be + $^{197}$Au with other $x$ + $^{197}$Au shows a larger enhancement for $^9$Be in the sub-barrier region amongst Z=2-5 weakly and tightly bound projectiles, which indicates the prominent role of the projectile deformation in addition to the weak binding.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Role of Neutron Transfer in Sub-Barrier Fusion

Fusion excitation function of $^{35}$Cl + $^{130}$Te system is measured in the energy range around the Coulomb barrier and analyzed in the framework of the coupled-channels approach. The role of projectile deformation, nuclear structure, and the couplings of inelastic excitations and positive Q$-$value neutron transfer channels in sub-barrier fusion are investigated through the comparison of reduced fusion excitation functions of $^{35,37}$Cl +$^{130}$Te systems. The reduced fusion excitation function of $^{35}$Cl + $^{130}$Te system shows substantial enhancement over $^{37}$Cl + $^{130}$Te system in sub-barrier energy region which is attributed to the presence of positive Q-value neutron transfer channels in $^{35}$Cl + $^{130}$Te system. Findings of this work strongly suggest the importance of +2$n$ - transfer coupling in sub-barrier fusion apart from the simple inclusion of inelastic excitations of interacting partners, and are in stark contrast with the results presented by Kohley \textit{et al.}, [Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 202701 (2011)].

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