F. C. L. Crespi

A novel technique for the characterization of a HPGe detector response based on pulse shape comparison

A novel technique for measuring a HPGe detector pulse shape as a function of the γ-ray interaction position inside the detector volume is presented. Exploiting a specific pulse shape comparison procedure, this technique allows to characterize the 3D position response of a HPGe segmented detector in a much shorter time as compared with the standard coincidence techniques. The method was first validated using a GEANT simulation of a 36-fold HPGe AGATA detector realized taking into account the effects of the electronic chain response and electrical noise on the calculated signal shape. This procedure was then applied to extract experimentally the position response of a non-segmented coaxial HPGe detector along the radial direction, using a 438 MBq 137Cs collimated γ-source. The results of this measurement show a dependence of the pulse shape as a function of γ-ray interaction radial coordinate consistent with that obtained with calculations. The signal acquisition rate reached using this characterization technique allows to realize a full scan of a large volume highly segmented HPGe detector in less than a week.

Position sensitivity of large volume LaBr 3 :Ce detectors

The position sensitivity of two large volume (1” × 1” and 3” × 3”) LaBr<inf>3</inf>:Ce crystals has been measured using collimated beams of 662 keV γ-rays. The crystals have been coupled to a Position Sensitive Photo Multiplier Tube (PSPMT) and/or shielded phototube. The results indicate that, in the case of 662 keV γ -rays, both crystals should allow identification of the the position of the γ-ray first interaction with a 1-2 cm resolution. Similar tests have been done in the past using 140 keV γ-rays and no sensitivity was found. Using GEANT4 simulations we confirmed these results.

Probing the Order-to-Chaos Region in Superdeformed {sup 151}Tb and {sup 196}Pb Nuclei with Continuum {gamma} Transitions

The gamma decay associated with the warm rotation of the superdeformed nuclei 151Tb and 196Pb has been measured with the EUROBALL IV array. Several independent quantities provide a stringent test of the population and decay dynamics in the superdeformed well. A Monte Carlo simulation of the gamma decay based on microscopic calculations gives remarkable agreement with the data only assuming a large enhancement of the B(E1) strength for 1-2 MeV gamma rays, which may be related to the evidence for octupole vibrations in both mass regions.

The mutable nature of particle-core excitations with spin in the one-valence-proton nucleus

The gamma-ray decay of excited states of the one-valence-proton nucleus 133Sb has been studied using cold-neutron induced fission of 235U and 241Pu targets, during the EXILL campaign at the ILL reactor in Grenoble. By using a highly efficient HPGe array, coincidences between gamma-rays prompt with the fission event and those delayed up to several tens of microseconds were investigated, allowing to observe, for the first time, high-spin excited states above the 16.6 micros isomer. Lifetimes analysis, performed by fast-timing techniques with LaBr3(Ce) scintillators, reveals a difference of almost two orders of magnitude in B(M1) strength for transitions between positive-parity medium-spin yrast states. The data are interpreted by a newly developed microscopic model which takes into account couplings between core excitations (both collective and non-collective) of the doubly magic nucleus 132Sn and the valence proton, using the Skyrme effective interaction in a consistent way. The results point to a fast change in the nature of particle-core excitations with increasing spin.

^{133}

The 16-channel module (BaFPro) that we have originally developed for processing signals of Barium Fluoride scintillators has been recently adopted to made a pulse shape analysis with signals of Lanthanum Bromide scintillators. Our idea is to use the precision of the fast analog stretcher circuit present in the BaFPro module, to capture in precise way the amplitude peak of the LaBr3 signals. Since in the peak area are concentrate the difference from alfa particle and gamma rays signal shape this type of analysis evidence a clear separation between these two kind of radiation. We report the scatter plot, peak amplitude (Fast) versus total energy (Slow) of the internal activity of LaBr3 made with our stretcher circuit.

Sb

The level scheme of 96Y was significantly extended and a new 201 ns isomer was located at 1655 keV excitation energy, with spin-parity assignment of 5± or 6−. The isomer decays to spherical low-spin structure by transitions with large hindrance and is fed by a short cascade which resembles the beginning of a rotational band. This is in analogy with the feeding and decay pattern of the 4− isomer in 98Y, here confirmed, by lifetime analysis, as a bandhead of a rotational structure with sizable deformation. It is suggested that the new isomer in 96Y arises from a shape change between deformed and spherical configurations, which indicates the appearance of deformation already at N = 57 in the yttrium chain. The experimental findings for 96Y are strengthened by theoretical calculations based on the complex Excited Vampir model.

Pulse shape results of LaBr 3 and BaF 2 scintillator obtained with a 16 ch. fast analog stretcher module

Neutron-rich silver isotopes were populated in the fragmentation of a Xe-136 beam and the relativistic fission of U-238. The fragments were mass analyzed with the GSI Fragment Separator and subsequently implanted into a passive stopper. Isomeric transitions were detected by 105 high-purity germanium detectors. Eight isomeric states were observed in Ag122-126 nuclei. The level schemes of Ag-122,Ag-123,Ag-125 were revised and extended with isomeric transitions being observed for the first time. The excited states in the odd-mass silver isotopes are interpreted as core-coupled states. The isomeric states in the even-mass silver isotopes are discussed in the framework of the proton-neutron split multiplets. The results of shell-model calculations, performed for the most neutron-rich silver nuclei are compared to the experimental data. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevC.87.034308 (Less)

New isomer in 96Y marking the onset of deformation at N = 57

High-spin states of K-40 have been populated in the fusion-evaporation reaction C-12(Si-30,np)K-40 and studied by means of gamma-ray spectroscopy techniques using one triple-cluster detector of the ...

Core-coupled states and split proton-neutron quasiparticle multiplets in 122-126Ag

New sub-mu s isomers have been observed in the neutron-rich Sn isotopes. Sn-125,Sn-127,Sn-129 nuclei have been produced in a relativistic fission reaction of U-238 on a Be-9 target at 750 A.MeV and by the fragmentation of Xe-136 at 600 A.MeV populating high-spin yrast states. In addition to the already known mu s isomers, three new ones with sub-mu s half-lives have been observed. These yrast isomers are the high-spin members of the nu(d(3/2)(-1)h(11/2)(-2)) and nu h(11/2)(-n), seniority v = 3 multiplets leading to isomeric (23/2(+)) and (27/2(-)) states, respectively. Added to the already known 19/2(+)mu s isomers in this region the current work completes the systematic information of neutron-hole excitations toward the filling of the last h(11/2) orbital at N = 82. The results are discussed in the framework of state-of-the-art shell-model calculations using realistic interactions. (Less)

High-spin structure in K-40

New sub-mu s isomers have been observed in the neutron-rich Sn isotopes. Sn-125,Sn-127,Sn-129 nuclei have been produced in a relativistic fission reaction of U-238 on a Be-9 target at 750 A.MeV and by the fragmentation of Xe-136 at 600 A.MeV populating high-spin yrast states. In addition to the already known mu s isomers, three new ones with sub-mu s half-lives have been observed. These yrast isomers are the high-spin members of the nu(d(3/2)(-1)h(11/2)(-2)) and nu h(11/2)(-n), seniority v = 3 multiplets leading to isomeric (23/2(+)) and (27/2(-)) states, respectively. Added to the already known 19/2(+)mu s isomers in this region the current work completes the systematic information of neutron-hole excitations toward the filling of the last h(11/2) orbital at N = 82. The results are discussed in the framework of state-of-the-art shell-model calculations using realistic interactions. (Less)