N. Gelli

Non-statistical decay and α-correlations in the 12C+ 12C fusion-evaporation reaction at 95 MeV

Multiple alpha coincidences and correlations are studied in the reaction 12C+12C at 95 MeV for fusion–evaporation events completely detected in charge. Two specific channels with carbon and oxygen residues in coincidence with α −particles are addressed, which are associated with anomalously high branching ratios with respect to the predictions of Hauser–Feshbach calculations. Triple alpha emission appears kinematically compatible with a sequential emission from a highly excited Mg. The phase space distribution of α − α coincidences suggests a correlated emission from a Mg compound, leaving an oxygen residue excited above the threshold for neutron decay. These observations indicate a preferential α emission of 24Mg at excitation energies well above the threshold for 6 − α decay.

The 8/spl pi/LP project: A 4/spl pi/ light charged particle detection array at LNL

A 4/spl pi/ detection system sensitive to light charged particles is being developed at the Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro (LNL) for the study of the reaction mechanisms produced in heavy ion collisions at energies up to 20 AMeV. The 8/spl pi/LP apparatus is a telescope assembly characterized by large solid angle (90% of 4/spl pi/) and high granularity (262 modules). Particle identification at low energy is obtained by combining /spl Delta/E-E, TOF and PSD techniques. Each telescope is made of a 300 /spl mu/m passivated silicon detector and a 15 mm (or 5 mm) CsI(Tl) crystal with photodiode readout. Thresholds for particle identification range from 1 MeV for protons and 3 MeV for alpha particles to about 2-3 AMeV for C ions. A low-cost trigger and readout bus system has been developed to cope with the large number of parameters and the high counting rate. The system will be fully operational for experiments in the summer of 1997.

Thermal properties of light nuclei from 12C + 12C fusion–evaporation reactions

The 12C + 12C reaction at 95 MeV has been studied through the complete charge identification of its products by means of the GARFIELD+RCo experimental set-up at INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro (LNL). In this paper, the first of a series of two, a comparison to a dedicated Hauser–Feshbach calculation allows selecting a set of dissipative events which corresponds, to a large extent, to the statistical evaporation of highly excited 24Mg. Information on the isotopic distribution of the evaporation residues in coincidence with their complete evaporation chain is also extracted. The set of data puts strong constraints on the behaviour of the level density (LD) of light nuclei above the threshold for particle emission. In particular, a fast increase of the LD parameter with excitation energy is supported by the data. Residual deviations from a statistical behaviour are seen in two specific channels, and tentatively associated with a contamination from direct reactions and/or α-clustering effects. These channels are studied in further details in the second paper of the series.

In-air broad beam ionoluminescence microscopy as a tool for rocks and stone artworks characterisation.

AbstractBroad beam ionoluminescence (IL) microscopy is a promising technique for the non-destructive characterisation of rocks and stone objects. Luminescence imaging by means of broad ion beams has been sporadically used by other authors but, to our knowledge, its potential has not yet been fully investigated, neither in geological science nor in other fields. The in-air broad beam IL microscope was developed and installed at the INFN-LABEC external microbeam in Florence. Similar to the cathodoluminescence (CL) microscope, the apparatus exploits a CCD colour camera collecting images (few square millimetres wide, with ∼10-μm spatial resolution) of the luminescence emitted by the sample hit by a defocused megaelectron volt (MeV) proton beam. The main differences with the well-established and widespread CL are the possibility of working in air (no sampling or conductive coatings required) and the possibility of combining the analysis with microbeam analysis, such as, for example, μ-IL and μ-PIXE (particle-induced X-ray emission). To show the potential of the technique, IL images of thin sections of lapis lazuli are compared with those obtained by means of an in-vacuum cold CL. An application to the study of stone artworks is also reported. This technique and apparatus will provide a valuable help for interdisciplinary applications, e.g. in geological sciences and in the cultural heritage field. FigureExperimental setup of the broad beam IL microscopy apparatus on the external microbeam line of the INFN-LABEC in Firenze during the analysis of a lapis lazuli rock

Alpha particle emission, incomplete fusion and population of high-spin states in the reaction 120 MeV 19F + 181Ta

Abstract The reaction 120 MeV 19 F + 181 Ta has been studied by charged particle-γ-ray coincidence techniques. An incomplete fusion component has been identified in coincidence with 192,191 Hg residues which are populated in the αxn channels. Evidence has been found that the feeding of high spin states in final residues is enhanced when the coincidence is required with alpha particles emitted at forward angles, where the incomplete fusion component dominates.

Pre-equilibrium Emission and α-clustering in Nuclei

The study of nuclear states built on clusters bound by valence neutrons in their molecular configurations is a field of large interest, which is being renewed by the availability of exotic beams: clustering is, in fact, predicted to become very important at the drip-line, where weakly bound systems will prevail. Although for light nuclei at an excitation energy close to the particle separation value there are experimental evidences of such structure effects, this is still not the case for heavier nuclear systems. Many attempts have been done using preformation alpha clustering models, but there is still a lack of experimental data capable to give a direct feedback. In particular, searching for alpha clustering effects in medium mass systems is still a challenge, which can give new hints in this subject. In the past we have studied the reactions 250, 192 and 130 MeV 16O + 116Sn, observing a significant increase in the fast emitted α-particle yield. This effect was ascribed to the presence of preformed a-clusters in the 16O projectile nucleus. In order to investigate these aspects, in a model independent way, a new experimental campaign has been performed with the GARFIELD + RCo set up, to compare results from two different reactions: a double magic a-cluster (16O) and a non-magic α-cluster projectile (19F) at the same beam velocity (16AMeV) have been chosen, impinging respectively on 65Cu and 62Ni targets, thus leading to the same 81Rb* compound nucleus. The angular distributions and the light charged particles emission spectra in coincidence with evaporation residues have been measured and analyzed. The preliminary results of the data analysis and the main features of the theoretical model used for their interpretation are presented.

First results of the Hoyle-Gamma experiment: study of the excited levels in carbon-12 gamma decay

Preliminary analysis of the Hoyle-Gamma experiment is presented, where simultaneous gamma-particles detection for the α + 12C → α + (12C* + γ) reaction is used to suppress the background various orders of magnitude. This will allow us to measure very small Γ partial widths of 12C. Details of the method, the implementation and CHIMERA software analysis are presented as well as preliminary results.

Pre-equilibrium emission and clustering in medium-mass nuclei: 46Ti from 16O + 30Si, 18O + 28Si, 19F + 27Al

The study of nuclear cluster states bound by valence neutrons is a field of recent large interest. In particular, it is interesting to study the pre-formation of α-clusters in α-conjugate nuclei and the dynamical condensation of clusters during nuclear reactions. The NUCL-EX collaboration (INFN, Italy) is carrying out a research campaign studying pre-equilibrium emission of light charged particles and cluster properties of light and medium-mass nuclei. For this purpose, a comparative study of the three nuclear reactions: 16O + 30Si, 18O + 28Si and 19F + 27Al, has been recently carried out using the GARFIELD+RCo 4π setup. After a general introduction on the experimental campaign, the preliminary results for the three systems are presented.

Cluster structure effects of projectile in7Li+208Pb reaction

Inclusive and exclusive cross sections have been measured for different projectile breakup channels. It is observed that the inclusive cross sections are larger than the exclusive ones. It is found that other processes, besides the direct breakup channel, significantly contribute to the inclusive channels. A clear α+x cluster structure has been found from coincidence data.

Clustering effects in fusion evaporation reactions with light even-even N=Z nuclei

In the recent years, cluster structures have been evidenced in many ground and excited states of light nuclei [1, 2]. In the currently experimental campaign, the NUCL-EX collaboration has measured the12C+12C and14N+10B reactions at 95 MeV and 80 MeV respectively. The experimental data corresponding to complete fusion of target and projectile into an excited24Mg nucleus was compared to the results of a pure statistical model [3, 4]. In addition, data from12C+12C have been analyzed to investigate the decay of the Hoyle state of12C* [12] obtained as an intermediate step in the 6α decay channel of the24Mg* formed in central events.