I. Kojouharov

Superallowed Gamow-Teller decay of the doubly magic nucleus 100Sn

The shell structure of atomic nuclei is associated with ‘magic numbers’ and originates in the nearly independent motion of neutrons and protons in a mean potential generated by all nucleons. During β+-decay, a proton transforms into a neutron in a previously not fully occupied orbital, emitting a positron–neutrino pair with either parallel or antiparallel spins, in a Gamow–Teller or Fermi transition, respectively. The transition probability, or strength, of a Gamow–Teller transition depends sensitively on the underlying shell structure and is usually distributed among many states in the neighbouring nucleus. Here we report measurements of the half-life and decay energy for the decay of 100Sn, the heaviest doubly magic nucleus with equal numbers of protons and neutrons. In the β-decay of 100Sn, a large fraction of the strength is observable because of the large decay energy. We determine the largest Gamow–Teller strength so far measured in allowed nuclear β-decay, establishing the ‘superallowed’ nature of this Gamow–Teller transition. The large strength and the low-energy states in the daughter nucleus, 100In, are well reproduced by modern, large-scale shell model calculations.

Review of even element super-heavy nuclei and search for element 120

Abstract.The reaction 54Cr

A Position Sensitive

+

\gamma

248Cm was investigated at the velocity filter SHIP at GSI, Darmstadt, with the intention to study production and decay properties of isotopes of element 120. Three correlated signals were measured, which occurred within a period of 279ms. The heights of the signals correspond with the expectations for a decay sequence starting with an isotope of element 120. However, a complete decay chain cannot be established, since a signal from the implantation of the evaporation residue cannot be identified unambiguously. Measured properties of the event chain are discussed in detail. The result is compared with theoretical predictions. Previously measured decay properties of even element super-heavy nuclei were compiled in order to find arguments for an assignment from the systematics of experimental data. In the course of this review, a few tentatively assigned data could be corrected. New interpretations are given for results which could not be assigned definitely in previous studies. The discussion revealed that the cross-section for production of element 120 could be high enough so that a successful experiment seems possible with presently available techniques. However, a continuation of the experiment at SHIP for a necessary confirmation of the results obtained in a relatively short irradiation of five weeks is not possible at GSI presently. Therefore, we decided to publish the results of the measurement and of the review as they exist now. In the summary and outlook section we also present concepts for the continuation of research in the field of super-heavy nuclei.

-Ray Scintillator Detector With Enhanced Spatial Resolution, Linearity, and Field of View

The performance of a position sensitive gamma-ray scintillator detector (PSD) is described. This PSD is based on a lutetium yttrium oxyorthosilicate (LYSO) crystal read out by a crossed-wire anode position sensitive photomultiplier tube (PSPMT). The main difference with respect to similar existing devices is the individual multi-anode readout (IMAR) approach that is followed here. This method allows to exploit better the intrinsic characteristics of the PSPMT, thus yielding better linearity, improved spatial resolution, and a larger field of view. The new detector is intended for the characterization of 3-D position sensitive germanium detectors.

94β -Decay Half-Lives of Neutron-Rich Cs55 to Ho67 : Experimental Feedback and Evaluation of the r -Process Rare-Earth Peak Formation

The β-decay half-lives of 94 neutron-rich nuclei ^{144-151}Cs, ^{146-154}Ba, ^{148-156}La, ^{150-158}Ce, ^{153-160}Pr, ^{156-162}Nd, ^{159-163}Pm, ^{160-166}Sm, ^{161-168}Eu, ^{165-170}Gd, ^{166-172}Tb, ^{169-173}Dy, ^{172-175}Ho, and two isomeric states ^{174m}Er, ^{172m}Dy were measured at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory, providing a new experimental basis to test theoretical models. Strikingly large drops of β-decay half-lives are observed at neutron-number N=97 for _{58}Ce, _{59}Pr, _{60}Nd, and _{62}Sm, and N=105 for _{63}Eu, _{64}Gd, _{65}Tb, and _{66}Dy. Features in the data mirror the interplay between pairing effects and microscopic structure. r-process network calculations performed for a range of mass models and astrophysical conditions show that the 57 half-lives measured for the first time play an important role in shaping the abundance pattern of rare-earth elements in the solar system.

First Measurement of Several β-Delayed Neutron Emitting Isotopes Beyond N=126

The β-delayed neutron emission probabilities of neutron rich Hg and Tl nuclei have been measured together with β-decay half-lives for 20 isotopes of Au, Hg, Tl, Pb, and Bi in the mass region N≳126. These are the heaviest species where neutron emission has been observed so far. These measurements provide key information to evaluate the performance of nuclear microscopic and phenomenological models in reproducing the high-energy part of the β-decay strength distribution. This provides important constraints on global theoretical models currently used in r-process nucleosynthesis.

Measurements of α-decay half-lives at GSI

One of the major problems in nuclear astrophysics concerns the estimation of electron screening effects on nuclear reaction rates. We have proposed investigating the electron screening effects of nuclear systems which decay via α-particles, using fragmented beams at relativistic energies produced at the present GSI FRS-ESR facility. By looking at the modification of the half-lives and Qα-value of highly charged emitters, we expect to estimate the electron screening energies.

The new isotope 179Pb and α-decay properties of 179Tlm

The new isotope 179Pb has been produced in the complete fusion reaction 40Ca + 144Sm ? 179Pb+5n at the velocity filter SHIP (GSI). Its ?-decay energy of 7350(20) keV and half-life value of 3.5+1.4? 0.8 ms were deduced based on the recoil???? correlation technique. A spin parity of I? = (9/2?) was tentatively assigned to the ground state of 179Pb; thus, it is based on the 1h9/2 orbital. Improved measurements of the ?-decay properties of 179Tlm and 175Aum are also presented.

Isomeric decay studies in neutron-rich N ≈ 126 nuclei

Heavy neutron-rich nuclei were populated via relativistic energy fragmentation of a E/A = 1 GeV208Pb beam. The nuclei of interest were selected and identified by a fragment separator and then implanted in a passive plastic stopper. Delayed γ rays following internal isomeric decays were detected by the RISING array. Experimental information was obtained on a number of nuclei with Z = 73-80 (Ta-Hg), providing new information both on the prolate-oblate transitional region as well as on the N = 126 closed shell nuclei.