arXiv subjects

W. Reviol

Publications and source records attributed to W. Reviol.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Triaxiality and shape dynamics in $^{70}$Ge

The electromagnetic properties of low-lying states in $^{70}$Ge were investigated via multi-step Coulomb excitation of a $^{70}$Ge beam impinging on a $^{208}$Pb target at the ATLAS facility of the Argonne National Laboratory. A total of 27 transitional elements and six diagonal matrix elements coupling 11 low-lying states, were extracted from the measured cross sections. These were used to calculate reduced transition probabilities, spectroscopic quadrupole moments, and rotational invariant shape parameters, providing enhanced precision and expanding on previous studies. The experimental data were compared within several theoretical frameworks, including the generalized triaxial rotor model, configuration interaction shell-model calculations, and computations within the combined frameworks of relativistic density functional theory and the five-dimensional collective Hamiltonian. The results demonstrate a good agreement with the experimental data and, in conjunction with calculations using a two-state mixing model, support significant triaxiality and strong mixing between the $0^+_1$ and $0^+_2$ states. This results in the magnitudes of their respective quadrupole deformations $[\beta_\text{rms}(0^+_1) = 0.228\,(3),\,\beta_\text{rms}(0^+_2) = 0.273\,(1)]$ being more similar than previously observed. The implications of these results for understanding the complex shape coexistence phenomena, the role of triaxiality, and shape evolution along the Ge isotopic chain are discussed.

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arXiv2025

High-spin spectroscopy and the onset of quasicollective structures in $^{69}$Ga

The intermediate- and high-spin level structure of the odd-$A$ $^{69}$Ga nucleus was investigated via the $^{26}$Mg($^{48}$Ca, $p4n\gamma$) fusion evaporation reaction at a beam energy of 195 MeV. The experiment was performed using the Gammasphere multidetector array in conjunction with the Fragment Mass Analyzer (FMA), with mass and charge identification achieved via an ionization chamber placed at the focal plane of the spectrometer. Coincidence relationships between the $^{69}$Ga reaction products and emitted $\gamma$ rays were analyzed to establish the level sequences, while angular distribution and angular correlation measurements were used to propose spin and parity assignments. As a result, the level scheme of the nucleus has been considerably extended. Near the ground state, the structure of $^{69}$Ga is well described by single-particle excitations, with shell-model calculations using the JUN45 and jj44b effective interactions providing a satisfactory interpretation of the observed levels. At spins in excess of 21/2 $\hbar$, three sequences of $E2$ transitions have been delineated, suggesting the onset of collectivity. An interpretation within the framework of the tilted-axis-cranking covariant density functional theory is proposed which reveals the role of $g_{9/2}$ protons and neutrons in this angular momentum regime.

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arXiv2025

First measurement of 87Rb({\alpha}, xn) cross sections at weak r-process energies in supernova {\nu}-driven ejecta to investigate elemental abundances in low-metallicity stars

Observed abundances of Z ~ 40 elements in metal-poor stars vary from star to star, indicating that the rapid and slow neutron capture processes may not contribute alone to the synthesis of elements beyond iron. The weak r-process was proposed to produce Z ~ 40 elements in a subset of old stars. Thought to occur in the {\nu}-driven ejecta of a core-collapse supernova, ({\alpha}, xn) reactions would drive the nuclear flow toward heavier masses at T = 2-5 GK. However, current comparisons between modelled and observed yields do not bring satisfactory insights into the stellar environment, mainly due to the uncertainties of the nuclear physics inputs where the dispersion in a given reaction rate often exceeds one order of magnitude. Involved rates are calculated with the statistical model where the choice of an {\alpha}-optical-model potential ({\alpha}OMP) leads to such a poor precision. The first experiment on 87Rb({\alpha}, xn) reactions at weak r-process energies is reported here. Total inclusive cross sections were assessed at Ec.m. = 8.1 - 13 MeV (3.7 - 7.6 GK) with the active target MUlti-Sampling Ionization Chamber (MUSIC). With a N = 50 seed nucleus, the measured values agree with statistical model estimates using the {\alpha}OMP Atomki-V2. A re-evaluated reaction rate was incorporated into new nucleosynthesis calculations, focusing on {\nu}-driven ejecta conditions known to be sensitive to this specific rate. These conditions were found to fail to reproduce the lighter-heavy element abundances in metal-poor stars.

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arXiv2024

In-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy towards the proton dripline: The curious case of $^{32}$Ar

High-resolution in-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy was used to study excited states of the neutron-deficient nucleus $^{32}$Ar populated in fast-beam induced four- and six-nucleon removal reactions from $^{36,38}$Ca. One new $\gamma$-ray transition and indications for an additional two were found, allowing for a glimpse at the level scheme beyond the known $2^+_1$ state. The nature of the new $1900(4)$-keV transition is discussed in the context of the known energy spectrum of the mirror nucleus $^{32}$Si and shell-model calculations using the FSU and SDPF-M cross-shell effective interactions. Its resulting parent state at $3767(5)$ keV, more than $1.3$ MeV above the proton separation energy, is tentatively assigned to have mixed sd-shell and $2p$-$2h$ character. It might either be the mirror of the $J^{\pi}=2^+_2$ state of $^{32}$Si at $4230.8(8)$ keV, but with a decay branch favoring a transition to the $2^+_1$ over the ground state, or the mirror of the $4983.9(11)$-keV state with quantum numbers $0^+$. The resulting mirror-energy differences of $-473(5)$ and $-1218(5)$ keV are both sizable when compared to systematics; in the latter case it would, in fact, be among the largest reported to date in the entire nuclear chart or suggest the potential existence of an additional, hitherto unidentified, low-lying $0^+$ state of $^{32}$Si.

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arXiv2024

In-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy of negative-parity states of $^{37}$K populated in dissipative reactions

In-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy was used to study excited states of the neutron-deficient nucleus $^{37}$K populated in fast-beam inelastic-scattering and proton-removal reactions at high-momentum loss. New $\gamma$-ray transitions and $\gamma\gamma$ coincidence relationships were established using the $\gamma$-ray tracking array GRETINA. The extension of the level scheme up to the first $(13/2^-)$ state highlights the potential of this recently demonstrated population pathway for studies of isospin symmetry involving mirror-energy differences. The nature of the newly identified states is discussed in comparison to shell-model calculations with the FSU cross-shell effective interaction. The calculated occupation numbers of individual orbitals are shown to offer a consistent explanation of the measured mirror-energy differences between $^{37}$K and $^{37}$Ar.

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arXiv2024

Probing proton cross-shell excitations through the two-neutron removal from 38Ca

Bound states of the neutron-deficient, near-dripline nucleus $^{36}$Ca were populated in two-neutron removal from the ground state of $^{38}$Ca, a direct reaction sensitive to the single-particle configurations and couplings of the removed neutrons in the projectile wave function. Final-state exclusive cross sections for the formation of $^{36}$Ca and the corresponding longitudinal momentum distributions, both determined through the combination of particle and $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy, are compared to predictions combining eikonal reaction theory and shell-model two-nucleon amplitudes from the USDB, USDC, and ZBM2 effective interactions. The final-state cross-section ratio $\sigma(2^+_1)/\sigma(0^+)$ shows particular sensitivity and is approximately reproduced only with the two-nucleon amplitudes from the ZBM2 effective interaction that includes proton cross-shell excitations into the $pf$ shell. Characterizing the proton $pf$-shell occupancy locally and schematically, an increase of the $sd$-$pf$ shell gap by $250$ keV yields an improved description of this cross-section ratio and simultaneously enables a reproduction of the $B(E2;0^+_1\to2^+_1)$ excitation strength of $^{36}$Ca. This highlights an important aspect if a new shell-model effective interaction for the region was to be developed on the quest to model the neutron-deficient Ca isotopes and surrounding nuclei whose structure is impacted by proton cross-shell excitations.

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arXiv2022

Dissipative reactions with intermediate-energy beams -- a novel approach to populate complex-structure states in rare isotopes

A novel pathway for the formation of multi-particle-multi-hole (np-mh) excited states in rare isotopes is reported from highly energy- and momentum-dissipative inelastic-scattering events measured in reactions of an intermediate-energy beam of 38Ca on a Be target. The negative-parity,complex-structure final states in 38Ca were observed following the in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy of events in the 9Be(38Ca,38Ca+gamma)X reaction in which the scattered projectile lost longitudinal momentum of order p = 700 MeV/c. The characteristics of the observed final states are discussed and found to be consistent with the formation of excited states involving the rearrangement of multiple nucleons in a single, highly-energetic projectile-target collision. Unlike the far-less dissipative, surface-grazing reactions usually exploited for the in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy of rare isotopes, these more energetic collisions appear to offer a practical pathway to nuclear-structure studies of more complex multi-particle configurations in rare isotopes - final states conventionally thought to be out of reach with high-luminosity fast-beam-induced reactions.

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arXiv2022

Exploiting dissipative reactions to perform in-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy of the neutron-deficient isotopes \nuc{38,39}{Ca}

The neutron-deficient Ca isotopes continue to attract attention due to their importance for testing isospin symmetry and their relevance in capture reactions of interest for nova nucleosynthesis and the shape of light curves in Type I X-ray bursts. To date, spectroscopic information on 38,39 Ca is largely limited to data on lower-spin excited states. Here, we report in-beam {\gamma}-ray spectroscopy of complementary higher-spin, complex-structure states in 39 Ca populated in fast-beam-induced, momentum-dissipative processes leading to neutron pickup onto excited configurations of the projectile, 9 Be(38 Ca , 39 Ca + {\gamma})X. Such a dissipative reaction was recently characterized for the case of inelastic scattering of 38 Ca off 9 Be, 9 Be(38 Ca, 38 Ca + {\gamma})X. Additional data and discussion on the nuclear structure of 38 Ca is also presented. An explanation for the more-complex-structure states, populated with small cross sections in one-nucleon knockout reactions, and observed in the tails of their longitudinal momentum distributions, is also offered.

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arXiv2022

E2 Rotational Invariants of $0^+_1$ and $2^+_1$ states for $^{106}$Cd: the Emergence of Collective Rotation

The collective structure of $^{106}$Cd is elucidated by multi-step Coulomb excitation of a 3.849 MeV/$A$ beam of $^{106}$Cd on a 1.1 mg/cm$^2$ $^{208}$Pb target using GRETINA-CHICO2 at ATLAS. Fourteen $E2$ matrix elements were obtained. The nucleus $^{106}$Cd is a prime example of emergent collectivity that possesses a simple structure: it is free of complexity caused by shape coexistence and has a small, but collectively active number of valence nucleons. This work follows in a long and currently active quest to answer the fundamental question of the origin of nuclear collectivity and deformation, notably in the cadmium isotopes. The results are discussed in terms of phenomenological models, the shell model, and Kumar-Cline sums of $E2$ matrix elements. The ${\langle 0_2^+ ||E2||2_1^+ \rangle}$ matrix element is determined for the first time, providing a total, converged measure of the electric quadrupole strength, $\langle Q^2 \rangle$, of the first-excited $2_1^+$ level relative to the $0_1^+$ ground state, which does not show an increase as expected of harmonic and anharmonic vibrations. Strong evidence for triaxial shapes in weakly collective nuclei is indicated; collective vibrations are excluded. This is contrary to the only other cadmium result of this kind in $^{114}$Cd by C. Fahlander et al., Nucl. Phys. A485, 327 (1988), which is complicated by low-lying shape coexistence near midshell.

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arXiv2020

In-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy at the proton dripline: $^{40}$Sc

We report on the first in-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy of the proton-dripline nucleus $^{40}$Sc using two-nucleon pickup onto an intermediate-energy rare-isotope beam of $^{38}$Ca. The $^{9}$Be($^{38}$Ca,$^{40}$Sc$+\gamma$)X reaction at 60.9 MeV/nucleon mid-target energy selectively populates states in $^{40}$Sc for which the transferred proton and neutron couple to high orbital angular momentum. In turn, due to angular-momentum selection rules in proton emission and the nuclear structure and energetics of $^{39}$Ca, such states in $^{40}$Sc then exhibit $\gamma$-decay branches although they are well above the proton separation energy. This work uniquely complements results from particle spectroscopy following charge-exchange reactions on $^{40}$Ca as well as $^{40}$Ti EC/$\beta^+$ decay which both display very different selectivities. The population and $\gamma$-ray decay of the previously known first $(5^-)$ state at 892 keV and the observation of a new level at 2744 keV are discussed in comparison to the mirror nucleus and shell-model calculations. On the experimental side, this work shows that high-resolution in-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy is possible with new generation Ge arrays for reactions induced by rare-isotope beams on the level of a few $\mu$b of cross section.

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arXiv2019

Invariant-mass spectroscopy of $^{14}$O excited states

Excited states in $^{14}$O have been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Experimentally, these states were produced via neutron-knockout reactions with a fast $^{15}$O beam and the invariant-mass technique was employed to isolate the 1$p$ and 2$p$ decay channels and determine their branching ratios. The spectrum of excited states was also calculated with the Shell Model Embedded in the Continuum that treats bound and scattering states in a unified model. By comparing energies, widths and decay branching patterns, spin and parity assignments for all experimentally observed levels below 8 MeV are made. This includes the location of the second 2$^{+}$ state that we find is in near degeneracy with the third 0$^{+}$ state. An interesting case of sequential 2$p$ decay through a pair of degenerate $^{13}$N excited states with opposite parities was found where the interference between the two sequential decay pathways produces an unusual relative-angle distribution between the emitted protons.

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arXiv2018

Invariant-mass spectroscopy of $^{18}$Ne, $^{16}$O, and $^{10}$C excited states formed in neutron transfer reactions

Neutron transfer reactions with fast secondary beams of $^{17}$Ne, $^{15}$O, and $^9$C have been studied with the HiRA and CAESAR arrays. Excited states of $^{18}$Ne, $^{16}$O, and $^{10}$C in the continuum have been identified using invariant-mass spectroscopy. The best experimental resolution of these states is achieved by selecting events where the decay fragments are emitted transverse to the beam direction. We have confirmed a number of spin assignments made in previous works for the negative-parity states of $^{18}$Ne. In addition we have found new higher-lying excited states in $^{16}$O and $^{18}$Ne, some of which fission into two ground-state $^8$Be fragments. Finally for $^{10}$C, a new excited state was observed. These transfer reactions were found to leave the remnant of the $^9$Be target nuclei at very high excitation energies and maybe associated with the pickup of a deeply-bound $^9$Be neutron.

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arXiv2018

Understanding the Low-Energy Enhancement of the $\gamma$-ray Strength Function of $^{56}$Fe

A model-independent technique was used to determine the $\gamma$-ray Strength Function ($\gamma$SF) of $^{56}$Fe down to $\gamma$-ray energies less than 1 MeV for the first time with GRETINA using the $(p,p')$ reaction at 16 MeV. No difference was observed in the energy dependence of the $\gamma$SF built on $2^{+}$ and $4^{+}$ final states, supporting the Brink hypothesis. In addition, angular distribution and polarization measurements were performed. The angular distributions are consistent with dipole radiation. The polarization results show a small bias towards magnetic character in the region of the enhancement.

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arXiv2016

Results of the ASY-EOS experiment at GSI: The symmetry energy at suprasaturation density

Directed and elliptic flows of neutrons and light charged particles were measured for the reaction 197Au+197Au at 400 MeV/nucleon incident energy within the ASY-EOS experimental campaign at the GSI laboratory. The detection system consisted of the Large Area Neutron Detector LAND, combined with parts of the CHIMERA multidetector, of the ALADIN Time-of-flight Wall, and of the Washington-University Microball detector. The latter three arrays were used for the event characterization and reaction-plane reconstruction. In addition, an array of triple telescopes, KRATTA, was used for complementary measurements of the isotopic composition and flows of light charged particles. From the comparison of the elliptic flow ratio of neutrons with respect to charged particles with UrQMD predictions, a value \gamma = 0.72 \pm 0.19 is obtained for the power-law coefficient describing the density dependence of the potential part in the parametrization of the symmetry energy. It represents a new and more stringent constraint for the regime of supra-saturation density and confirms, with a considerably smaller uncertainty, the moderately soft to linear density dependence deduced from the earlier FOPI-LAND data. The densities probed are shown to reach beyond twice saturation.

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arXiv2014

The observation of long-range three-body Coloumb effects in the decay of 16Ne

The interaction of an $E/A$=57.6-MeV $^{17}$Ne beam with a Be target was used to populate levels in $^{16}$Ne following neutron knockout reactions. The decay of $^{16}$Ne states into the three-body $^{14}$O+$p$+$p$ continuum was observed in the High Resolution Array (HiRA). For the first time for a 2p emitter, correlations between the momenta of the three decay products were measured with sufficient resolution and statistics to allow for an unambiguous demonstration of their dependence on the long-range nature of the Coulomb interaction. Contrary to previous experiments, the intrinsic decay width of the $^{16}$Ne ground state was found to be narrow ($Γ<60$~keV), consistent with theoretical estimates.

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arXiv2013

High-spin transition quadrupole moments in neutron-rich Mo and Ru nuclei: testing $\gamma $ softness?

The transition quadrupole moments, $Q_{t}$, of rotational bands in the neutron-rich, even-mass $^{102-108}$Mo and $^{108-112}$Ru nuclei were measured in the 8 to 16 $\hbar $ spin range with the Doppler-shift attenuation method. The nuclei were populated as fission fragments from $^{252}$Cf fission. The detector setup consisted of the Gammasphere spectrometer and the HERCULES fast-plastic array. At moderate spin, the $Q_{t}$ moments are found to be reduced with respect to the values near the ground states. Attempts to describe the observations in mean-field-based models, specifically cranked relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory, illustrate the challenge theory faces and the difficulty to infer information on $\gamma $ softness and triaxiality from the data.

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arXiv2012

Lifetime Measurements in $^{182,186}$Pt}

Lifetimes in the yrast bands of the nuclei $^{182,186}$Pt have been measured using the Doppler-shift Recoil Distance technique. The results in both cases {\em viz.} a sharp increase in B(E2) values at very low spins, may be interpreted as resulting from a mixing between two bands of different quadrupole deformations.

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arXiv2011

Evidence for Shape Co-existence at medium spin in 76Rb

Four previously known rotational bands in 76Rb have been extended to moderate spins using the Gammasphere and Microball gamma ray and charged particle detector arrays and the 40Ca(40Ca,3pn) reaction at a beam energy of 165 MeV. The properties of two of the negative-parity bands can only readily be interpreted in terms of the highly successful Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky model calculations if they have the same configuration in terms of the number of g9/2 particles, but they result from different nuclear shapes (one near-oblate and the other near-prolate). These data appear to constitute a unique example of shape co-existing structures at medium spins.

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