arXiv subjects

R. Raut

Publications and source records attributed to R. Raut.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Pygmy and core polarization dipole modes in $^{206}$Pb: connecting nuclear structure to stellar nucleosynthesis

A high-resolution study of the electromagnetic response of $^{206}$Pb below the neutron separation energy is performed using a ($\vecγ$,$γ'$) experiment at the HI$\vecγ$S facility. Nuclear resonance fluorescence with 100% linearly polarized photon beams is used to measure spins, parities, branching ratios, and decay widths of excited states in $^{206}$Pb from $4.9$ to $8.1$MeV. The extracted $Σ$$B$(E1)$\uparrow$ and $Σ$$B$(M1)$\uparrow$ values for the total electric and magnetic dipole strength below the neutron separation energy are 0.9$\pm$0.2e$^2$fm$^2$ and 8.3$\pm$2.0$μ_{N}^2$, respectively. These measurements are found to be in very good agreement with the predictions from an energy-density functional (EDF) plus quasiparticle phonon model (QPM). Such a detailed theoretical analysis allows to separate the pygmy dipole resonance from both the tail of the giant dipole resonance and multi-phonon excitations. Combined with earlier photonuclear experiments above the neutron separation energy, one extracts a value for the electric dipole polarizability of $^{206}$Pb of $α_{D}\!=\!122\pm10$mb/MeV. When compared to predictions from both the EDF+QPM and accurately calibrated relativistic EDFs, one deduces a range for the neutron-skin thickness of $R_{\rm skin}^{206}\!=\!0.12$-$0.19$fm and a corresponding range for the slope of the symmetry energy of $L\!=\!48$-$60$MeV. This newly obtained information is also used to estimate the Maxwellian-averaged radiative cross section $^{205}$Pb(n,$γ$)$^{206}$Pb at 30keV to be $σ\!=\!130\!\pm\!25$mb. The astrophysical impact of this measurement--on both the s-process in stellar nucleosynthesis and on the equation of state of neutron-rich matter--is discussed.

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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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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

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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arXiv2015

Bubble Chambers for Experiments in Nuclear Astrophysics

A bubble chamber has been developed to be used as an active target system for low energy nuclear astrophysics experiments. Adopting ideas from dark matter detection with superheated liquids, a detector system compatible with gamma-ray beams has been developed. This detector alleviates some of the limitations encountered in standard measurements of the minute cross sections of interest to stellar environments. While the astrophysically relevant nuclear reaction processes at hydrostatic burning temperatures are dominated by radiative captures, in this experimental scheme we measure the time-reversed processes. Such photodisintegrations allow us to compute the radiative capture cross sections when transitions to excited states of the reaction products are negligible. Due to the transformation of phase space, the photodisintegration cross sections are up to two orders of magnitude higher. The main advantage of the new target-detector system is a density several orders of magnitude higher than conventional gas targets. Also, the detector is virtually insensitive to the gamma-ray beam itself, thus allowing us to detect only the products of the nuclear reaction of interest. The development and the operation as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the bubble chamber are discussed.

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arXiv2015

Transverse Wobbling in $^{135}$Pr

A pair of transverse wobbling bands has been observed in the nucleus $^{135}$Pr. The wobbling is characterized by $ΔI$ =1, E2 transitions between the bands, and a decrease in the wobbling energy confirms its transverse nature. Additionally, a transition from transverse wobbling to a three-quasiparticle band comprised of strong magnetic dipole transitions is observed. These observations conform well to results from calculations with the Tilted Axis Cranking (TAC) model and the Quasiparticle Triaxial Rotor (QTR) Model.

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arXiv2013

Cross-Section Measurements of the 86Kr(g,n) Reaction to Probe the s-Process Branching at 85Kr

We have carried out photodisintegration cross-section measurements on 86Kr using monoenergetic photon beams ranging from the neutron separation energy, S_n = 9.86 MeV, to 13 MeV. We combine our experimental 86Kr(g,n)85Kr cross section with results from our recent 86Kr(g,g') measurement below the neutron separation energy to obtain the complete nuclear dipole response of 86Kr. The new experimental information is used to predict the neutron capture cross section of 85Kr, an important branching point nucleus on the abundance flow path during s-process nucleosynthesis. Our new and more precise 85Kr(n,g)86Kr cross section allows to produce more precise predictions of the 86Kr abundance from s-process models. In particular, we find that the models of the s-process in asymptotic giant branch stars of mass < 1.5 Msun, where the 13C neutron source burns convectively rather than radiatively, represent a possible solution for the highest 86Kr/82Kr ratios observed in meteoritic stardust SiC grains.

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arXiv2013

The electric dipole response of $^{76}$Se above 4 MeV

The dipole response of $^{76}_{34}$Se in the energy range 4 to 9 MeV has been analyzed using a $(\vecγ,γ')$ polarized photon scattering technique, performed at the High Intensity $γ$-Ray Source facility, to complement previous work performed using unpolarized photons. The results of this work offer both an enhanced sensitivity scan of the dipole response and an unambiguous determination of the parities of the observed J=1 states. The dipole response is found to be dominated by $E1$ excitations, and can reasonably be attributed to a pygmy dipole resonance. Evidence is presented to suggest that a significant amount of directly unobserved excitation strength is present in the region, due to unobserved branching transitions in the decays of resonantly excited states. The dipole response of the region is underestimated when considering only ground state decay branches. We investigate the electric dipole response theoretically, performing calculations in a 3D cartesian-basis time-dependent Skyrme-Hartree-Fock framework.

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arXiv2012

First determination of an astrophysical cross section with a bubble chamber: the 15N(α,γ)19F reaction

We have devised a technique for measuring some of the most important nuclear reactions in stars which we expect to provide considerable improvement over previous experiments. Adapting ideas from dark matter search experiments with bubble chambers, we have found that a superheated liquid is sensitive to recoils produced from γ-rays photodisintegrating the nuclei of the liquid. The main advantage of the new target-detector system is a gain in yield of six orders of magnitude over conventional gas targets due to the higher mass density of liquids. Also, the detector is practically insensitive to the γ-ray beam itself, thus allowing it to detect only the products of the nuclear reaction of interest. The first set of tests of a superheated target with a narrow bandwidth γ-ray beam was completed and the results demonstrate the feasibility of the scheme. The new data are successfully described by an R-matrix model using published resonance parameters. With the increase in luminosity of the next generation γ-ray beam facilities, the measurement of thermonuclear rates in the stellar Gamow window would become possible.

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arXiv2012

Onset of deformation at $N = 112$ in Bi nuclei

The high spin states in $^{195}$Bi has been studied by $γ$-ray spectroscopic method using the $^{181}$Ta($^{20}$Ne, 6n) fusion evaporation reaction at 130 MeV. The $γγ$ coincidence data were taken using an array of 8 clover HPGe detectors. The spin and parity assignments of the excited states have been made from the measured directional correlation from oriented states (DCO) ratios and integrated polarization asymmetry (IPDCO) ratios. The results show, for the first time, the evidence of a rotational like band based on a 13/2$^+$ band head in this nucleus, indicating the onset of deformation at neutron number $N = 112$ for the Bismuth isotopes. The results obtained were found to be consistent with the prediction of the total Routhian surface calculations using Woods Saxon potential. The same calculations also predict a change in shape from oblate to triaxial in $^{195}$Bi at high rotational frequency.

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arXiv2009

Observation of isomeric decays and the high spin states in doubly-odd 208Fr

Neutron deficient isotopes of Francium (Z=87, N=121-123) as excited nuclei were produced in the fusion-evaporation reaction: 197Au(16O,xn)[213-x]Fr at 100 MeV. The gamma-rays from the residues were observed through the high sensitivity Germanium Clover detector array INGA. The decay of the high spin states and the isomeric states of the doubly-odd 208Fr nuclei, identified from the known sequence of ground state transitions, were observed. The half lives of the 194(2) keV isomeric transition, known from earlier observations, was measured to be 233(18) ns. A second isomeric transition at 383(2) keV and half life of 33(7) ns was also found. The measured half lives were compared with the corresponding single particle estimates, based on a the level scheme obtained from the experiment.

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arXiv2005

Absence of M2 Retardation in $^{35}Cl$: Evidence for Stronger Isospin-Mixing Effects in A=35 Mirror Nuclei

The lifetime of the 3163 keV, 7/2$^-$ isomeric state in $^{35}Cl$ that decays by a stretched M2 transition to the $3/2^+$ ground state, has been re-measured using the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method, by gating on the 1185 keV transition which directly feeds this state. This eliminates the uncertainties in the measurement arising from the direct feedings from the continuum. A mean life of 0.6$^{+0.5}_{-0.2}$ ps has been obtained from the present work. This is considerably smaller than the adopted value 45.3(6) ps. Implication of this major reduction in the lifetime has been pointed out.

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