K. Matsui

Extension of the N = 40 Island of Inversion towards N =50: Spectroscopy of 66Cr,70,72Fe

We report on the measurement of the first 2(+) and 4(+) states of (66)Cr and (70,72)Fe via in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy. The nuclei of interest were produced by (p,2p) reactions at incident energies of 260  MeV/nucleon. The experiment was performed at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory, RIKEN, using the DALI 2γ-ray detector array and the novel MINOS device, a thick liquid hydrogen target combined with a vertex tracker. A low-energy plateau of 2(1)(+) and 4(1)(+) energies as a function of the neutron number was observed for N≥38 and N≥40 for even-even Cr and Fe isotopes, respectively. State-of-the-art shell model calculations with a modified Lenzi-Nowacki-Poves-Sieja (LNPS) interaction in the pfg(9/2)d(5/2) valence space reproduce the observations. Interpretation within the shell model shows an extension of the island of inversion at N=40 for more neutron-rich isotopes towards N=50.

Conceptual design of a hybrid neutron-gamma detector for study of β-delayed neutrons at the RIB facility of RIKEN

BRIKEN is a complex detection system to be installed at the RIB-facility of the RIKEN Nishina Center. It is aimed at the detection of heavy-ion implants, s-particles, ?-rays and s-delayed neu- trons. The whole detection setup involves the Advanced Implantation Detection Array (AIDA), two HPGe Clover detectors and a large set of 166 counters of 3He embedded in a high-density polyethy- lene matrix. This article reports on a novel methodology developed for the conceptual design and optimisation of the 3He-tubes array, aiming at the best possible performance in terms of neutron detection. The algorithm is based on a geometric representation of two selected parameters of merit, namely, average neutron detection efficiency and efficiency flatness, as a function of a reduced num- ber of geometric variables. The response of the detection system itself, for each configuration, is obtained from a systematic MC-simulation implemented realistically in Geant4. This approach has been found to be particularly useful. On the one hand, due to the different types and large number of 3He-tubes involved and, on the other hand, due to the additional constraints introduced by the ancillary detectors for charged particles and gamma-rays. Empowered by the robustness of the al- gorithm, we have been able to design a versatile detection system, which can be easily re-arranged into a compact mode in order to maximize the neutron detection performance, at the cost of the gamma-ray sensitivity. In summary, we have designed a system which shows, for neutron energies up to 1(5) MeV, a rather flat and high average efficiency of 68.6%(64%) and 75.7%(71%) for the hybrid and compact modes, respectively. The performance of the BRIKEN system has been also quantified realistically by means of MC-simulations made with different neutron energy distributions.

Intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation of 104 Sn: Moderate E2 strength decrease approaching 100 Sn

The reduced transition probability B(E2)↑ of the first excited 2 + state in the nucleus 104 Sn was measured via Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics at intermediate energies. A value of 0.173(28) e 2 b 2 was extracted from the absolute cross section on a Pb target. Feeding contributions in 104 Sn from higher lying states were estimated by a reference measurement of the stable 112 Sn. Corresponding only to a moderate decrease of excitation strength relative to the almost constant values observed in the proton-rich, even-A 106−114 Sn isotopes, present state-of-the-art shell-model predictions, which include proton and neutron excitations across the N = Z = 50 shell closures as well as standard polarization charges, underestimate the experimental findings.

Is seniority a partial dynamic symmetry in the first ν g 9/2 shell?

Abstract The low-lying structures of the midshell ν g 9 / 2 Ni isotopes 72Ni and 74Ni have been investigated at the RIBF facility in RIKEN within the EURICA collaboration. Previously unobserved low-lying states were accessed for the first time following β decay of the mother nuclei 72Co and 74Co. As a result, we provide a complete picture in terms of the seniority scheme up to the first ( 8 + ) levels for both nuclei. The experimental results are compared to shell-model calculations in order to define to what extent the seniority quantum number is preserved in the first neutron g 9 / 2 shell. We find that the disappearance of the seniority isomerism in the ( 8 1 + ) states can be explained by a lowering of the seniority-four ( 6 + ) levels as predicted years ago. For 74Ni, the internal de-excitation pattern of the newly observed ( 6 2 + ) state supports a restoration of the normal seniority ordering up to spin J = 4 . This property, unexplained by the shell-model calculations, is in agreement with a dominance of the single-particle spherical regime near 78Ni.

Inelastic scattering of neutron-rich Ni and Zn isotopes off a proton target

Proton inelastic scattering of Ni72,74 and Zn76,80 ions at energies around 235 MeV/nucleon was performed at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory and studied using γ-ray spectroscopy. Angular integrated cross sections for direct inelastic scattering to the 21+ and 41+ states were measured. The Jeukenne-Lejeune-Mahaux folding model, extended beyond 200 MeV, was used together with neutron and proton densities stemming from quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) calculations to interpret the experimental cross sections and to infer neutron to proton matrix element ratios. In addition, coupled-channels calculations with a phenomenological potential were used to determine deformation lengths. For the Ni isotopes, correlations favor neutron excitations, thus conserving the Z=28 gap. A dominance of proton excitation, on the other hand, is observed in the Zn isotopes, pointing to the conservation of the N=50 gap approaching Ni78. These results are in agreement with QRPA and large-scale shell-model calculations.

Low-lying Structures Of Exotic Sc Isotopes And The Evolution Of The N=34 Subshell Closure

Recent investigations of exotic nuclei with

Structure of 55Sc and development of the N=34 subshell closure

N=32

Inelastic scattering of 72,74Ni off a proton target

and

Systematic Study of β-Decay Half-Lives in the Vicinity of 78Ni

34

Intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation ofSn104: ModerateE2strength decrease approachingSn100

have highlighted the presence of sizable subshell closures at these neutron numbers that are absent in stable isotones. Indeed, the development of the shell gap at