E. E. Peters

In-beam internal conversion electron spectroscopy with the SPICE detector

The SPectrometer for Internal Conversion Electrons (SPICE) has been commissioned for use in conjunction with the TIGRESS γ-ray spectrometer at TRIUMFs ISAC-II facility. SPICE features a permanent rare-earth magnetic lens to collect and direct internal conversion electrons emitted from nuclear reactions to a thick, highly segmented, lithium-drifted silicon detector. This arrangement, combined with TIGRESS, enables in-beam γ-ray and internal conversion electron spectroscopy to be performed with stable and radioactive ion beams. Technical aspects of the device, capabilities, and initial performance are presented.

Elastic and inelastic neutron scattering cross sections for fission reactor applications

Nuclear data important for the design and development of the next generation of light-water reactors and future fast reactors include neutron elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections on important structural materials, such as Fe, and on coolant materials, such as Na. These reaction probabilities are needed since neutron reactions impact fuel performance during irradiations and the overall efficiency of reactors. While neutron scattering cross sections from these materials are available for certain incident neutron energies, the fast neutron region, particularly above 2 MeV, has large gaps for which no measurements exist, or the existing uncertainties are large. Measurements have been made at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory to measure neutron scattering cross sections on both Fe and Na in the region where these gaps occur and to reduce the uncertainties on scattering from the ground state and first excited state of these nuclei. Results from measurements on Fe at incident neutron energies between 2 and 4 MeV will be presented and comparisons will be made to model calculations available from data evaluators.

Status of vibrational structure in {sup 62}Ni

Measurements consisting of γ-ray excitation functions and angular distributions were performed using the (n,n ′ γ) reaction on Ni62. The excitation function data allowed us to check the consistency of the placement of transitions in the level scheme. From γ-ray angular distributions, the lifetimes of levels up to ~3.8 MeV in excitation energy were extracted with the Doppler-shift attenuation method. The experimentally deduced values of reduced transition probabilities were compared with the predictions of the quadrupole vibrator model and with large-scale shell model calculations in the fp shell configuration space. Two-phonon states were found to exist with some notable deviation from the predictions of the quadrupole vibrator model, but no evidence for the existence of three-phonon states could be established. Z=28 proton core excitations played a major role in understanding the observed structure.

Undergraduate Measurements For Fission Reactor Applications

Undergraduate students at the University of Dallas (UD) have investigated elastic and inelastic neutron scattering cross sections on structural materials important for criticality considerations in nuclear fission processes. Neutrons scattered off of 23Na and NatFe were detected using neutron time‐of‐flight techniques at the University of Kentucky Low‐Energy Nuclear Accelerator Facility. These measurements are part of an effort to increase the efficiency of power generation from existing fission reactors in the US and in the design of new fission systems. Students have learned the basics of how to operate the Model CN Van de Graaff generator at the laboratory, setup detectors and electronics, use data acquisition systems, and they are currently analyzing the angular dependence of the scattered neutrons for incident neutron energies of 3.57 and 3.80 MeV. Most students participating in the project will use the research experience as the material for their undergraduate research thesis required for all Bache...

Low‐lying Collective States in 136Ba

Low‐lying collective states in 136Ba were investigated with (n,n′γ) techniques, including Doppler‐shift attenuation lifetime measurements. The level spins, lifetimes, branching ratios, multipole‐mixing ratios and transition strengths reveal candidates for symmetric‐phonon states up to third order. The 2ms+ mixed‐symmetry state was confirmed as unfragmented and a candidate for a [21+⊗2ms+]3+ two‐phonon mixed‐symmetry state is proposed.

Multiphonon states in {sub 56}{sup 136}Ba{sub 80}

Low-lying multiphonon states in {sup 136}Ba have been populated with the inelastic neutron scattering reaction. Excitation functions were performed at neutron energies from 2.2 to 3.9 MeV, and {gamma}-ray angular distributions were measured at 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 MeV. Lifetimes have been determined using the Doppler-shift attenuation method, and electromagnetic transition rates have been deduced. The previously assigned 2{sub 1,ms}{sup +} mixed-symmetry state at 2128.9 keV has been confirmed and is not greatly fragmented. For the first time in the N=80 isotones, a 3{sub 2,ms}{sup +} two-phonon mixed-symmetry state is proposed. In addition, the 2{sub 5}{sup +} and the 4{sub 3}{sup +} levels at 2222.7 and 2356.4 keV, respectively, decay with large B(M1) values to the two-phonon 2{sub 2}{sup +} and 4{sub 1}{sup +} states, respectively, which suggests two-phonon mixed-symmetric character. Their excitation energies, however, are not consistent with this interpretation.Low-lying multiphonon states in 136 Ba have been populated with the inelastic neutron scattering reaction. Excitation functions were performed at neutron energies from 2.2 to 3.9 MeV, and γ-ray angular distributions were measured at 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 MeV. Lifetimes have been determined using the Doppler-shift attenuation method, and electromagnetic transition rates have been deduced. The previously assigned 2 + 1,ms mixed-symmetry state at 2128.9 keV has been confirmed and is not greatly fragmented. For the first time in the N = 80 isotones, a 3 + 2,ms two-phonon mixed-symmetry state is proposed. In addition, the 2 + 5 and the 4 + 3 levels at 2222.7 and 2356.4 keV, respectively, decay with large B(Ml) values to the two-phonon 2 + 2 and 4 + 1 states, respectively, which suggests two-phonon mixed-symmetric character. Their excitation energies, however, are not consistent with this interpretation.