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William S. Porter

Publications and source records attributed to William S. Porter.

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The mass of $^{101}$Sn and Bayesian extrapolations to the proton drip line

The favorable energy configurations of nuclei at magic numbers of ${N}$ neutrons and ${Z}$ protons are fundamental for understanding the evolution of nuclear structure. The ${Z=50}$ (tin) isotopic chain is a frontier for such studies, with particular interest at and around the doubly-magic \textsuperscript{100}Sn isotope, for which the mass is a topic of debate. Precise mass values for neutron-deficient isotopes provide necessary anchor points for mass models to test extrapolations near the proton drip line, where experimental studies remain out of reach. In this work, we report the first Penning trap mass measurement of \textsuperscript{101}Sn. The determined mass excess of $-59\,889.89(96)$~keV for \textsuperscript{101}Sn represents a factor of 300 improvement over the current precision and indicates that \textsuperscript{101}Sn is less bound than previously thought. Mass predictions from a recently developed Bayesian model combination (BMC) framework employing statistical machine learning and nuclear masses computed within seven global models based on nuclear Density Functional Theory (DFT) agree within 1$σ$ with experimental masses from the $48 \le Z \le 52$ isotopic chains. The framework's resilience to new mass data gave confidence in the extrapolation of tin masses down to $N=46$. Our calculations suggest that \textsuperscript{96}Sn is a two-proton drip line nucleus and predict a mass excess of $-58\,090(800)$~keV for $^{100}$Sn, showing a preference within 1$σ$ for the mass of \textsuperscript{100}Sn derived from the $β$-delayed $Q$-value measured at GSI.

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Direct mass measurements of neutron-rich zinc and gallium isotopes: an investigation of the formation of the first r-process peak

The prediction of isotopic abundances resulting from the rapid neutron capture process (r-process) requires high-precision mass measurements. Using TITAN's on-line time-of-flight spectrometer, first time mass measurements are performed for $^{83}$Zn and $^{86}$Ga. These measurements reduced uncertainties, and are used to calculate isotopic abundances near the first r-process abundance peak using astrophysical conditions present during a binary neutron star (BNS) merger. Good agreement in abundance across a range of trajectories is found when comparing to several metal-poor stars while also strongly deviating from the solar r-process pattern. These findings point to a high degree of sensitivity to the electron fraction of a BNS merger on the final elemental abundance pattern for certain elements near the first r-process peak while others display universality. We find that small changes in electron fraction can produce distinct abundance patterns that match those of metal-poor stars with different classifications.

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Precise Q value measurements of $^{112,113}$Ag and $^{115}$Cd with the Canadian Penning trap for evaluation of potential ultra-low Q value $β$-decays

An ultra-low Q value $β$-decay can occur from a parent nuclide to an excited state in the daughter with $Q_{UL}$ <1 keV. These decays are of interest for nuclear $β$-decay theory and as potential candidates in neutrino mass determination experiments. To date, only one ultra-low Q value $β$-decay has been observed -- that of $^{115}$In with $Q_β$ = 147(10) eV. A number of other potential candidates exist, but improved mass measurements are necessary to determine if the decays are energetically allowed and, in fact, ultra-low. We performed precise $β$-decay Q value measurements of $^{112,113}$Ag and $^{115}$Cd and combined them with nuclear energy level data for the daughter isotopes to determine if the potential UL Q value $β$-decay branches of $^{112,113}$Ag and $^{115}$Cd are energetically allowed and <1 keV. The Canadian Penning Trap at ANL was used to measure the cyclotron frequency ratios of singly-charged $^{112,113}$Ag and $^{115}$Cd ions with respect to their daughters. From these measurements, the ground-state $β$-decay Q values were obtained. The $^{112}$Ag, $^{113}$Ag, and $^{115}$Cd $β$-decay Q values were measured to be 3990.16(22) keV, 2085.7(4.6) keV, and 1451.36(34) keV, respectively. These results were compared to energies of excited states in $^{112}$Cd at 3997.75(14) keV, $^{113}$Cd at 2015.6(2.5) and 2080(10) keV, and $^{115}$In at 1448.787(9) keV, resulting in $Q_{\textrm{UL}}$ values of --7.59(26) keV, 6(11) keV, and 2.57(34) keV, respectively. The potential UL Q value decays of $^{112}$Ag and $^{115}$Cd have been ruled out. $^{113}$Ag is still a possible candidate until a more precise measurement of the 2080(10) keV, 1/2$^{+}$ state of $^{113}$Cd is available. In the course of this work we have found the ground state mass of $^{113}$Ag reported in the 2020AME to be lower than our measurement by 69(17) keV (a 4$σ$ discrepancy).

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