arXiv subjects

X. C. Chen

Publications and source records attributed to X. C. Chen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Particle identification and revolution time corrections for the isochronous mass spectrometry in storage rings

In the isochronous mass spectrometry (IMS) performed at storage rings, masses of short-lived nuclides are determined through precision measurements of their mean revolution times. However, the distribution of revolution times could be seriously deteriorated by instabilities of the ring's magnetic fields. This becomes a significant obstacle for the particle identifications and mass determinations. A data analysis method is described in this paper which is able to largely remove the uncertainties caused by the magnetic field instabilities in the particle identifications and the mean revolution times. We show that this method is very effective for the IMS experiments even when the magnetic fields of a storage ring vary slowly up to a level of $ΔB/B\sim 10^{-4}$.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2020

Measurement of $^{58}$Ni($p$, $p$)$^{58}$Ni elastic scattering at low momentum transfer by using the HIRFL-CSR heavy-ion storage ring

The very first in-ring reaction experiment at the HIRFL-CSR heavy-ion storage ring, namely proton elastic scattering on stable $^{58}$Ni nuclei, is presented. The circulating $^{58}$Ni$^{19+}$ ions with an energy of 95 MeV/u were interacting repeatedly with an internal hydrogen gas target in the CSRe experimental ring. Low energy proton recoils from the elastic collisions were measured with an ultra-high vacuum compatible silicon-strip detector. Deduced differential cross sections were normalized by measuring K-shell X-rays from $^{58}$Ni$^{19+}$ projectiles due to the $^{58}$Ni$^{19+}$-H$_2$ ionization collisions. Compared to the experimental cross sections, a good agreement has been achieved with the theoretical predictions in the measured region, which were obtained by using the global phenomenological optical model potentials. Our results enable new research opportunities for optical model potential studies on exotic nuclides by using the in-ring reaction setup at the HIRFL-CSR facility.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2020

Denoising scheme based on singular-value decomposition for one-dimensional spectra and its application in precision storage-ring mass spectrometry

This work concerns noise reduction for one-dimensional spectra in the case that the signal is corrupted by an additive white noise. The proposed method starts with mapping the noisy spectrum to a partial circulant matrix. In virtue of singular-value decomposition of the matrix, components belonging to the signal are determined by inspecting the total variations of left singular vectors. Afterwards, a smoothed spectrum is reconstructed from the low-rank approximation of the matrix consisting of the signal components only. The denoising effect of the proposed method is shown to be highly competitive among other existing nonparametric methods, including moving average, wavelet shrinkage, and total variation. Furthermore, its applicable scenarios in precision storage-ring mass spectrometry are demonstrated to be rather diverse and appealing.

physics.data-an↗

arXiv2020

Mass measurements for $T_{z}=-2$ $fp$-shell nuclei $^{40}$Ti, $^{44}$Cr, $^{46}$Mn, $^{48}$Fe, $^{50}$Co and $^{52}$Ni

By using isochronous mass spectrometry (IMS) at the experimental cooler storage ring CSRe, masses of short-lived $^{44}$Cr, $^{46}$Mn, $^{48}$Fe, $^{50}$Co and $^{52}$Ni were measured for the first time and the precision of the mass of $^{40}$Ti was improved by a factor of about 2. Relative precisions of $δm/m=(1-2)\times$10$^{-6}$ have been achieved. Details of the measurements and data analysis are described. The obtained masses are compared with the Atomic-Mass Evaluation 2016 (AME$^{\prime}$16) and with theoretical model predictions. The new mass data enable us to extract the higher order coefficients, $d$ and $e$, of the quartic form of the isobaric multiplet mass equation (IMME) for the $fp$-shell isospin quintets. Unexpectedly large $d$- and $e$-values for $A=44$ quintet are found. By re-visiting the previous experimental data on $β$-delayed protons from $^{44}$Cr decay, it is suggested that the observed anomaly could be due to the misidentification of the $T=2$, $J^π=0^{+}$ isobaric analog state (IAS) in $^{44}$V.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2020

Employing $p+^{58}$Ni elastic scattering for determination of $K$-shell ionization cross section of $^{58}$Ni$^{19+}$ in collisions with hydrogen gas target at 95 MeV/u

We present a new experimental method for measuring inner-shell ionization cross sections of low-charged ions colliding with hydrogen gas target in a storage ring. The method is based on a calibration by the well-known differential cross sections of proton elastic scattering on nuclei. $K$-shell ionization cross section of 1047(100) barn for the 95 MeV/u $^{58}$Ni$^{19+}$ ions colliding with hydrogen atoms was obtained in this work. Compared to the measured ionization cross section, a good agreement is achieved with the prediction by the Relativistic Ionization CODE Modified program (RICODE-M).

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

New Test of Modulated Electron Capture Decay of Hydrogen-Like $^{142}$Pm Ions: Precision Measurement of Purely Exponential Decay

An experiment addressing electron capture (EC) decay of hydrogen-like $^{142}$Pm$^{60+}$ ions has been conducted at the experimental storage ring (ESR) at GSI. The decay appears to be purely exponential and no modulations were observed. Decay times for about 9000 individual EC decays have been measured by applying the single-ion decay spectroscopy method. Both visually and automatically analysed data can be described by a single exponential decay with decay constants of 0.0126(7) s$^{-1}$ for automatic analysis and 0.0141(7) s$^{-1}$ for manual analysis. If a modulation superimposed on the exponential decay curve is assumed, the best fit gives a modulation amplitude of merely 0.019(15), which is compatible with zero and by 4.9 standard deviations smaller than in the original observation which had an amplitude of 0.23(4).

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Masses of ground and isomeric states of $^{101}$In and configuration-dependent shell evolution in odd-$A$ indium isotopes

We report first precision mass measurements of the $1/2^-$ isomeric and $9/2^+$ ground states of $^{101}$In. The determined isomeric excitation energy continues a smooth trend of odd-$A$ indium isotopes up to the immediate vicinity of $N=50$ magic number. This trend can be confirmed by dedicated shell model calculations only if the neutron configuration mixing is considered. We find that the single particle energies are different for different states of the same isotope. The presented configuration-dependent shell evolution, type II shell evolution, in odd-$A$ nuclei is discussed for the first time. Our results will facilitate future studies of single-particle neutron states.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Masses of neutron-rich $^{\operatorname{52-54}}$Sc and $^{54,56}$Ti nuclides: The $N=32$ subshell closure in scandium

Isochronous mass spectrometry has been applied in the storage ring CSRe to measure the masses of the neutron-rich $^{\operatorname{52-54}}$Sc and $^{54,56}$Ti nuclei. The new mass excess values $ME$($^{52}$Sc) $=$ $-40525(65)$ keV, $ME$($^{53}$Sc) $=$ $-38910(80)$ keV, and $ME$($^{54}$Sc) $=$ $-34485(360)$ keV, deviate from the Atomic Mass Evaluation 2012 by 2.3$σ$, 2.8$σ$, and 1.7$σ$, respectively. These large deviations significantly change the systematics of the two-neutron separation energies of scandium isotopes. The empirical shell gap extracted from our new experimental results shows a significant subshell closure at $N = 32$ in scandium, with a similar magnitude as in calcium. Moreover, we present $ab$ $initio$ calculations using the valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group based on two- and three-nucleon interactions from chiral effective field theory. The theoretical results confirm the existence of a substantial $N = 32$ shell gap in Sc and Ca with a decreasing trend towards lighter isotones, thus providing a consistent picture of the evolution of the $N = 32$ magic number from the $pf$ into the $sd$ shell.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Improving the resolving power of Isochronous Mass Spectrometry by employing an in-ring mechanical slit

Isochronous Mass Spectrometry (IMS) in heavy-ion storage rings is an excellent experimental method for precision mass measurements of exotic nuclei. In the IMS, the storage ring is tuned in a special isochronous ion-optical mode. Thus, the mass-over-charge ratios of the stored ions are directly reflected by their respective revolution times in first order. However, the inevitable momentum spread of secondary ions increases the peak widths in the measured spectra and consequently limits the achieved mass precision. In order to achieve a higher mass resolving power, the ring aperture was reduced to 60 mm by applying a mechanical slit system at the dispersive straight section. The momentum acceptance was reduced as well as better isochronous conditions were achieved. The results showed a significant improvement of the mass resolving power reaching $5.2 \times 10^{5}$, though at the cost of about 40\% ion loss.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

Experimental Investigation of the Transition Energy $γ_t$ in the Isochronous Mode of the HIRFL-CSRe

The Isochronous Mass Spectrometry (IMS) based on storage rings is a powerful technique for mass measurement of short-lived exotic nuclei. The transition energy $γ_t$ of the storage ring is a vital parameter of the IMS technique. It is difficult to measure the $γ_t$ and its relation to momentum spread or circulating length, especially to monitor the variation of $γ_t$ during experiments. An experimental investigation on the $γ_t$ has been performed for the IMS experiment at the Cooler Storage Ring of the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL-CSRe). With the velocity measured by two time-of-flight (TOF) detectors, the $γ_t$ as a function of orbital length can be determined. The influences of higher order magnetic field components on the $γ_t$ function were inferred for isochronous correction. This paper introduces and investigates the influence of dipole magnetic fields, quadrupole magnetic fields and sextupole magnetic fields on the $γ_t$ function. With the quadrupole magnets and sextupole magnets corrections, a mass resolution of 171332 (FWHM) and $σ(T)/T=1.34\times10^{-6}$ were reached, which shall be compared with 31319 (FWHM) and $σ(T)/T=7.35\times10^{-6}$ obtained without correction.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2018

Application of isochronous mass spectrometry for the study of angular momentum population in projectile fragmentation reactions

Isochronous mass spectrometry was applied to measure isomeric yield ratios of fragmentation reaction products. This approach is complementary to conventional gamma-ray spectroscopy in particular for measuring yield ratios for long-lived isomeric states. Isomeric yield ratios for the high-spin I = 19/2 states in the mirror nuclei 53Fe and 53Co are measured to study angular momentum population following the projectile fragmentation of 78Kr at energies of 480A MeV on a beryllium target. The 19/2 state isomeric ratios of 53Fe produced from different projectiles in the literature have also been extracted as a function of mass number difference between projectile and fragment (mass loss). The results are compared to ABRABLA07 model calculations. The isomeric ratios of 53Fe produced using different projectiles suggest that the theory underestimates not only the previously reported dependence on the spin but also the dependence on the mass loss.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

A method to measure the transition energy $γ_{t}$ of the isochronously tuned storage ring

The Isochronous Mass Spectrometry (IMS) is a powerful technique developed in heavy-ion storage rings for measuring masses of very short-lived exotic nuclei. The IMS is based on the isochronous setting of the ring. One of the main parameters of this setting is the transition energy $γ_{t}$. %The transition energy $γ_{t}$ plays an important role in the isochronous mass spectrometry (IMS). It has been a challenge to determine the $γ_{t}$ and especially to monitor the variation of $γ_{t}$ during experiments. In this paper we introduce a method to measure the $γ_{t}$ online during IMS experiments by using the acquired experimental data. Furthermore, since the storage ring has (in our context) a relatively large momentum acceptance, the variation of the $γ_{t}$ across the ring acceptance is a source of systematic uncertainty of measured masses. With the installation of two time-of-flight (TOF) detectors, the velocity of each stored ion and its revolution time are simultaneously available for the analysis. These quantities enabled us to determine the $γ_{t}$ as a function of orbital length in the ring. The presented method is especially important for future IMS experiments planned at the new-generation storage ring facilities FAIR in Germany and HIAF in China.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

Isochronous mass measurements of $T_z=-1$ $fp$-shell nuclei from projectile fragmentation of $^{58}$Ni

Atomic masses of seven $T_z=-1$, $fp$-shell nuclei from $^{44}$V to $^{56}$Cu and two low-lying isomers, $^{44m}$V ($J^π=6^+$) and $^{52m}$Co ($J^π=2^+$), have been measured with relative precisions of $1-4\times 10^{-7}$ with Isochronous Mass Spectrometry (IMS) at CSRe. The masses of $^{56}$Cu, $^{52g,52m}$Co, and $^{44m}$V were measured for the first time in this experiment. The Mass Excesses ($ME^{\prime}$s) of $^{44}$V, $^{48}$Mn, $^{50}$Fe, and $^{54}$Ni are determined with an order of magnitude improved precision compared to the literature values. $^{52g,52m}$Co and $^{56}$Cu are found to be $370$~keV and $400$~keV more bound, respectively, while $^{44g,44m}$V are $\sim 300$~keV less bound than the extrapolations in the Atomic-Mass Evaluation 2012 (AME$^{\prime}$12). The masses of the four $T_z=-1/2$ nuclei $^{45}$V, $^{47}$Cr, $^{49}$Mn, and $^{51}$Fe are re-determined to be in agreement, within the experimental errors, with the recent JYFLTRAP measurements or with the previous IMS measurements in CSRe. Details of the measurements and data analysis are described, and the impact of the new $ME$ values on different aspects in nuclear structure are investigated and discussed.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

The Masses of the $T_z=-3/2$ Nuclei $^{27}$P and $^{29}$S

Isochronous mass spectrometry has been applied in the storage ring CSRe to measure the masses of the $T_z=-3/2$ nuclei $^{27}$P and $^{29}$S. The new mass excess value $ME$($^{29}$S) $=-3094(13)$~keV is 66(52)~keV larger than the result of the previous $^{32}$S($^3$He,$^{6}$He)$^{29}$S reaction measurement in 1973 and a factor of 3.8 more precise. The new result for $^{29}$S, together with those of the $T=3/2$ isobaric analog states (IAS) in $^{29}$P, $^{29}$Si, and $^{29}$Al, fit well into the quadratic form of the Isobaric Multiplet Mass Equation IMME. The mass excess of $^{27}$P has been remeasured to be $ME(^{27}$P$)=-685(42)$ keV. By analyzing the linear and quadratic coefficients of the IMME in the $T_z=-3/2$ $sd$-shell nuclei, it was found that the ratio of the Coulomb radius parameters is $R\approx0.96$ and is nearly the same for all $T=3/2$ isospin multiplets. Such a nearly constant $R$-value, apparently valid for the entire light mass region with $A>9$, can be used to set stringent constraints on the isovector and isotensor components of the isospin non-conserving forces in theoretical calculations.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

First application of combined isochronous and Schottky mass spectrometry: Half-lives of fully ionized 49Cr24+ and 53Fe26+ atoms

Lifetime measurements of b -decaying highly charged ions have been performed in the storage ring CSRe by applying the isochronous Schottky mass spectrometry. The fully ionized 49Cr and 53Fe ions were produced in projectile fragmentation of 58Ni primary beam and were stored in the CSRe tuned into the isochronous ion-optical mode. The new resonant Schottky detector was applied to monitor the intensities of stored uncooled 49Cr24+ and 53Fe26+ ions. The extracted half-lives T1/2(49Cr24+) = 44.0(27) min and T1/2(53Fe26+) = 8.47(19) min are in excellent agreement with the literature half-life values corrected for the disabled electron capture branchings. This is an important proof-of-principle step towards realizing the simultaneous mass and lifetime measurements on exotic nuclei at the future storage ring facilities.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

Mass Measurements of Neutron-Deficient Y, Zr, and Nb Isotopes and Their Impact on $rp$ and $νp$ Nucleosynthesis Processes

Using isochronous mass spectrometry at the experimental storage ring CSRe in Lanzhou, the masses of $^{82}$Zr and $^{84}$Nb were measured for the first time with an uncertainty of $\sim 10$ keV, and the masses of $^{79}$Y, $^{81}$Zr, and $^{83}$Nb were re-determined with a higher precision. %The latter differ significantly from their literature values. The latter are significantly less bound than their literature values. Our new and accurate masses remove the irregularities of the mass surface in this region of the nuclear chart. Our results do not support the predicted island of pronounced low $α$ separation energies for neutron-deficient Mo and Tc isotopes, making the formation of Zr-Nb cycle in the $rp$-process unlikely. The new proton separation energy of $^{83}$Nb was determined to be 490(400)~keV smaller than that in the Atomic Mass Evaluation 2012. This partly removes the overproduction of the $p$-nucleus $^{84}$Sr relative to the neutron-deficient molybdenum isotopes in the previous $νp$-process simulations.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2016

Measurement of Cosmic-ray Muons and Muon-induced Neutrons in the Aberdeen Tunnel Underground Laboratory

We have measured the muon flux and production rate of muon-induced neutrons at a depth of 611 m water equivalent. Our apparatus comprises three layers of crossed plastic scintillator hodoscopes for tracking the incident cosmic-ray muons and 760 L of gadolinium-doped liquid scintillator for producing and detecting neutrons. The vertical muon intensity was measured to be $I_μ = (5.7 \pm 0.6) \times 10^{-6}$ cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$sr$^{-1}$. The yield of muon-induced neutrons in the liquid scintillator was determined to be $Y_{n} = (1.19 \pm 0.08 (stat) \pm 0.21 (syst)) \times 10^{-4}$ neutrons/($μ\cdot$g$\cdot$cm$^{-2}$). A fit to the recently measured neutron yields at different depths gave a mean muon energy dependence of $\left\langle E_μ \right\rangle^{0.76 \pm 0.03}$ for liquid-scintillator targets.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

Identification of the Lowest $T=2$, $J^{π=}0^+$ Isobaric Analog State in $^{52}$Co and Its Impact on the Understanding of $β$-Decay Properties of $^{52}$Ni

Masses of $^{52g,52m}$Co were measured for the first time with an accuracy of $\sim 10$ keV, an unprecedented precision reached for short-lived nuclei in the isochronous mass spectrometry. Combining our results with the previous $β$-$γ$ measurements of $^{52}$Ni, the $T=2$, $J^π=0^+$ isobaric analog state (IAS) in $^{52}$Co was newly assigned, questioning the conventional identification of IASs from the $β$-delayed proton emissions. Using our energy of the IAS in $^{52}$Co, the masses of the $T=2$ multiplet fit well into the Isobaric Multiplet Mass Equation. We find that the IAS in $^{52}$Co decays predominantly via $γ$ transitions while the proton emission is negligibly small. According to our large-scale shell model calculations, this phenomenon has been interpreted to be due to very low isospin mixing in the IAS.

nucl-ex↗