arXiv subjects

R. G. T. Zegers

Publications and source records attributed to R. G. T. Zegers.

70 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2009

$β$-Decay Half-Life of the $rp$-Process Waiting Point Nuclide $^{84}$Mo

A half-life of 2.2 $\pm$ 0.2 s has been deduced for the ground-state $β$ decay of $^{84}$Mo, more than 1$σ$ shorter than the previously adopted value. $^{84}$Mo is an even-even N = Z nucleus lying on the proton dripline, created during explosive hydrogen burning in Type I X-ray bursts in the rapid proton capture ($rp$) process. The effect of the measured half-life on $rp$-process reaction flow is explored. Implications on theoretical treatments of nuclear deformation in $^{84}$Mo are also discussed.

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arXiv2008

Evidence of the Θ^+ in the γd \to K^+K^-pn reaction

The γd \to K^+K^-pn reaction has been studied to search for the evidence of the Θ^+ by detecting K^+K^- pairs at forward angles. The Fermi-motion corrected nK^+ invariant mass distribution shows a narrow peak at 1.524 +- 0.002 + 0.003 GeV/c^2. The statistical significance of the peak calculated from a shape analysis is 5.1 σ, and the differential cross-section for the γn \to K^- Θ^+ reaction is estimated to be 12 +- 2 nb/sr in the photon energy range from 2.0 GeV to 2.4 GeV in the LEPS angular range by assuming the isotropic production of the Θ^+ in the γn center-of-mass system. The obtained results support the existence of the Θ^+.

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arXiv2008

Gamow-Teller strengths in 24Na using the 24Mg(t,3He) reaction at 115 AMeV

Gamow-Teller transitions from 24Mg to 24Na were studied via the (t,3He) reaction at 115 AMeV using a secondary triton beam produced via fast fragmentation of 150 AMeV 16O ions. Compared to previous (t,3He) experiments at this energy that employed a primary alpha beam, the secondary beam intensity is improved by about a factor of five. Despite the large emittance of the secondary beam, an excitation-energy resolution of ~200 keV is achieved. A good correspondence is found between the extracted Gamow-Teller strength distribution and those available from other charge-exchange probes. Theoretical calculations using the newly developed USDA and USDB sd-shell model interactions reproduce the data well.

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arXiv2008

Electron Capture Strength for {60,62}Ni and {58,60,62,64}Ni(p,n){58,60,62,64}Cu reactions at 134.3 MeV

Background: The strength of electron capture for medium mass nuclei has a significant effect on the evolution of supernovae. There is insufficient knowledge of these strengths and very little data for important radioactive nuclei. Purpose: Determine whether it is feasible to obtain EC strength from studies of T_o+1 excitations in (p,n) reactions, and whether this might yield information for radioactive nuclei. Methods: Cross sections for the {58,60,62,64}Ni(p,n){58,60,62,64}Cu reactions were measured over the angular range of 0.3 deg to 11.6 deg at 134.3 MeV using the IUCF neutron time-of-flight facility. esults: The T_o+1 excitations in {60,62}Ni were identified by comparison with inelastic proton scattering spectra, their B(GT) were extracted, and the corresponding electron capture rates in supernovae were calculated. Data from the TRIUMF (n,p) experiments at 198 MeV were reanalyzed; the electron capture rates for the reanalyzed data are in moderately good agreement with the higher resolution (p,n) results, but differ in detail. The possibility of future measurements with radioactive nuclei was considered. Conclusions: It is possible to determine electron capturestrength from (p,n) experiments. This approach may make it possible to obtain electron capture strength for radioactive nuclei by studying (p,n) reactions in inverse kinematics.

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arXiv2008

Gamow-Teller strength for the analog transitions to the first T=1/2, J^pi=3/2- states in 13C and 13N and the implications for Type Ia supernovae

The Gamow-Teller strength for the transition from the ground state of 13C to the T=1/2, J^pi=3/2- excited state at 3.51 MeV in 13N is extracted via the 13C(3He,t) reaction at 420 MeV. In contrast to results from earlier (p,n) studies on 13C, a good agreement with shell-model calculations and the empirical unit cross section systematics from other nuclei is found. The results are used to study the analog 13N(e-,v_e)13C reaction, which plays a role in the pre-explosion convective phase of type Ia supernovae. Although the differences between the results from the (3He,t) and (p,n) data significantly affect the deduced electron-capture rate and the net heat-deposition in the star due to this transition, the overall effect on the pre-explosive evolution is small.

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arXiv2008

Spectroscopy of 24Al and extraction of Gamow-Teller strengths with the 24Mg(3He,t) reaction at 420 MeV

The 24Mg(3He,t)24Al reaction has been studied at E(3He)=420 MeV. An energy resolution of 35 keV was achieved. Gamow-Teller strengths to discrete levels in 24Al are extracted by using a recently developed empirical relationship for the proportionality between Gamow-Teller strengths and differential cross sections at zero momentum transfer. Except for small discrepancies for a few weak excitations, good agreement with previous 24Mg(p,n) data and nuclear-structure calculations using the USDA/B interactions in the sd shell-model space is found. The excitation energy of several levels in 24Al of significance for determination of the 23Mg(p,gamma)24Al thermonuclear reaction rate were measured. Results are consistent with two of the three previous (3He,t) measurements, performed at much lower beam energies. However, a new state at Ex(24Al)=2.605(10) MeV was found and is the third state above the proton separation energy.

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arXiv2008

Forward coherent $ϕ$-meson photoproduction from deuterons near threshold

Differential cross sections and decay asymmetries for coherent $ϕ$-meson photoproduction from deuterons were measured for the first time at forward angles using linearly polarized photons at $E_γ$= 1.5-2.4 GeV. This reaction offers a unique way to directly access natural-parity Pomeron dynamics and gluon exchange at low energies. The cross sections at zero degrees increase with increasing photon energy. The decay asymmetries demonstrate a complete dominance of natural-parity exchange processes, showing that isovector unnatural-parity $π$-meson exchange is small. Nevertheless the deduced cross sections of $ϕ$-mesons from nucleons contributed by isoscalar t-channel exchange processes are not well described by the conventional Pomeron model.

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arXiv2007

Backward-angle photoproduction of $π^0$ mesons on the proton at $E_γ$ = 1.5--2.4 GeV

Differential cross sections and photon beam asymmetries for $π^0$ photoproduction have been measured at $E_γ$ = 1.5--2.4 GeV and at the $π^0$ scattering angles, --1 $<$ cos$Θ_{c.m.} <$ --0.6. The energy-dependent slope of differential cross sections for $u$-channel $π^0$ production has been determined. An enhancement at backward angles is found above $E_γ$ = 2.0 GeV. This is inferred to be due to the $u$-channel contribution and/or resonances. Photon beam asymmetries have been obtained for the first time at backward angles. A strong angular dependence has been found at $E_γ>$ 2.0 GeV, which may be due to the unknown high-mass resonances.

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arXiv2006

Differential cross section and photon beam asymmetry for the gamma n -> K+ Sigma- reaction at Egamma=1.5-2.4 GeV

Differential cross sections and photon beam asymmetries have been measured for the gamma n -> K+ Sigma- and gamma p -> K+ Sigma0 reactions separately using liquid deuterium and hydrogen targets with incident linearly polarized photon beams of Egamma=1.5-2.4 GeV at 0.6<cosTheta<1. The cross section ratio of sigma(K+Sigma-)/sigma(K+Sigma0), expected to be 2 on the basis of the isospin 1/2 exchange, is found to be close to 1. For the K+Sigma- reaction, large positive asymmetries are observed indicating the dominance of the K*-exchange. A large difference between the asymmetries for the K+Sigma- and K+Sigma0 reactions can not be explained by simple theoretical considerations.

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arXiv2006

De-excitation gamma-rays from the s-hole state in 15N associated with proton decay in 16O

We have measured de-excitation gamma-rays from the s-hole state in 15N produced via the 16O(p,2p)15N reaction in relation to the study of the nucleon decay and the neutrino neutral-current interaction in water Cherenkov detectors. In the excitation-energy region of the s-hole state between 16 MeV and 40 MeV in 15N, the branching ratio of emitting gamma-rays with the energies at more-than-6 MeV are found to be 15.6+-1.3+0.6-1.0%. Taking into account the spectroscopic factor of the s-hole state, the total emission probability is found to be 3.1%. This is about 1/10 compared with the emission probability of the 6.32 MeV gamma-ray from the 3/2- p-hole state in 15N. Moreover, we searched for a 15.1 MeV gamma-ray from the 12C 1+ state which may be populated after the particle-decay of the s-hole state in 15N. Such a high energy gamma-ray from the hole state would provide a new method to search for mode-independent nucleon decay even if the emission probability is small. No significant signal is found within a statistical uncertainty.

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arXiv2006

The (t,3He) and (3He,t) reactions as probes of Gamow-Teller strength

Charge-exchange reactions are an important tool for determining weak-interaction rates. They provide stringent tests for nuclear structure models necessary for modeling astrophysical environments such as neutron stars and core-collapse supernovae. In anticipation of (t,3He) experiments at 115 MeV/nucleon on nuclei of relevance (A~40-120) in the late evolution of stars, it is shown via a study of the 26Mg(t,3He) reaction that this probe is an accurate tool for extracting Gamow-Teller transition strengths. To do so, the data are complemented by results from the 26Mg(3He,t) reaction at 140 MeV/nucleon which allows for a comparison of T=2 analog states excited via the mirror reactions. Extracted Gamow-Teller strengths from 26Mg(t,3He) and 26Mg(3He,t) are compared with those from 26Mg(d,2He) and 26Mg(p,n) studies, respectively. A good correspondence is found, indicating probe-independence of the strength extraction. Furthermore, we test shell-model calculations using the new USD-05B interaction in the sd-model space and show that it reproduces the experimental Gamow-Teller strength distributions well. A second goal of this work is to improve the understanding of the (t,3He) and (3He,t) reaction mechanisms at intermediate energies since detailed studies are scarce. The Distorted-Wave Born Approximation is employed, taking into account the composite structures of the 3He and triton particles. The reaction model provides the means to explain systematic uncertainties at the 10-20% level in the extraction of Gamow-Teller strengths as being due to interference between Gamow-Teller dL=0, dS=1 and dL=2, dS=1 amplitudes that both contribute to transitions from 0+ to 1+ states.

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arXiv2006

Measurement of the Gamow-Teller Strength Distribution in 58Co via the 58Ni(t,3He) reaction at 115 MeV/nucleon

Electron capture and beta decay play important roles in the evolution of pre-supernovae stars and their eventual core collapse. These rates are normally predicted through shell-model calculations. Experimentally determined strength distributions from charge-exchange reactions are needed to test modern shell-model calculations. We report on the measurement of the Gamow-Teller strength distribution in 58Co from the 58Ni(t,3He) reaction with a secondary triton beam of an intensity of ~10^6 pps at 115 MeV/nucleon and a resolution of \~250 keV. Previous measurements with the 58Ni(n,p) and the 58Ni(d,2He) reactions were inconsistent with each other. Our results support the latter. We also compare the results to predictions of large-scale shell model calculations using the KB3G and GXPF1 interactions and investigate the impact of differences between the various experiments and theories in terms of the weak rates in the stellar environment. Finally, the systematic uncertainties in the normalization of the strength distribution extracted from 58Ni(3He,t) are described and turn out to be non-negligible due to large interferences between the dL=0, dS=1 Gamow-Teller amplitude and the dL=2, dS=1 amplitude.

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arXiv2005

Diffractive $ϕ$-meson photoproduction on proton near threshold

Photoproduction of $ϕ$-meson on protons was studied by means of linearly polarized photons at forward angles in the low-energy region from threshold to $E_γ$= 2.37 GeV. The differential cross sections at $t = -|t|_{min}$ do not increase smoothly as $E_γ$ increases, but show a local maximum at around 2.0 GeV. The angular distributions demonstrate that $ϕ$-mesons are photo-produced predominantly by helicity-conserving processes, and the local maximum is not likely due to unnatural-parity processes.

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arXiv2004

phi photo-production from Li, C, Al, and Cu nuclei at Egamma=1.5 - 2.4 GeV

The photo-production of $ϕ$ mesons from Li, C, Al, and Cu at forward angles has been measured at $E_gamma$=1.5--2.4 GeV. The number of events for incoherent phi photo-production is found to have a target mass number dependence of $A^{0.72\pm 0.07}$ in the kinematical region of $|t|\le 0.6$ ${\rm GeV}^2/c^2$. The total cross section of the $ϕ$-nucleon interaction, $σ_{ϕN}$, has been estimated as $35^{+17}_{-11}$ mb using the $A$-dependence of the $ϕ$ photo-production yield and a Glauber-type multiple scattering theory. This value is much larger than $σ_{ϕN}$ in free space, suggesting that the $ϕ$ properties might change in the nuclear medium.

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arXiv2003

Beam polarization asymmetries for the p(gamma,K+)Lambda and p(gamma,K+)Sigma0 reactions at Egamma=1.5-2.4 GeV

Beam polarization asymmetries for the p(gamma,K+)Lambda and p(gamma,K+)sigma0 reactions are measured for the first time for Egamma=1.5-2.4 GeV and 0.6<cos(theta_cm(K+))<1.0 by using linearly polarized photons at the Laser-Electron-Photon facility at SPring-8 (LEPS). The observed asymmetries are positive and gradually increase with rising photon energy. The data are not consistent with theoretical predictions based on tree-level effective Lagrangian approaches. Including the new results in the development of the models is, therefore, crucial for understanding the reaction mechanism and to test the presence of baryon resonances which are predicted in quark models but are sofar undiscovered.

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arXiv2000

Gamow-Teller Strengths of the Inverse-Beta Transition 176Yb --> 176Lu for Spectroscopy of Proton-Proton and other sub-MeV Solar Neutrinos

Discrete Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions, 176Yb-->176Lu at low excitation energies have been measured via the (3He,t) reaction at 450 MeV and at 0 degrees. For 176Yb, two low-lying states are observed, setting low thresholds Q(neutrino)=301 and 445 keV for neutrino capture. Capture rates estimated from the measured GT strengths, the simple two-state excitation structure, and the low Q(neutrino) in Yb--Lu indicate that Yb-based neutrino-detectors are well suited for a direct measurement of the complete sub-MeV solar electron-neutrino spectrum (including pp neutrinos) where definitive effects of flavor conversion are expected.

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