O. Aviv

A novel method for fundamental interaction studies with an electrostatic ion beam trap

We present the first steps towards the realization of a novel experimental scheme to measure β-ν correlations in the β decay of 6He, for the purpose of Fundamental Interaction studies. Our method is based on a novel use of an ion trapping device, the Electrostatic Ion Beam Trap (EIBT) coupled to a d+t neutron generator. The EIBT which has not been previously considered for Fundamental Interaction studies, exhibits potentially very significant advantages over other state of the art experimental schemes aimed at precision measurements of the β–ν angular correlation coefficient.

Beta decay measurements from 6He using an electrostatic ion beam trap

We plan to establish the ground work of a novel experimental setup that will enable precision measurements of β-ν correlation from 6He using a unique method which incorporates a radioactive ion beam, ion trapping, ion bunching, and a radiation detection system. For the production of the 6He radioisotopes we plan to use neutron-induced reactions and an electron ion beam trap (EBIT) for ionization. The 6He+ radioisotopes will be stored in an electrostatic ion beam trap (EIBT), commonly used in atomic and molecular physics. The entire apparatus will be built at the Weizmann Institute. In the following we present the method, the present status of the setup and future plans.

The Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility (SARAF) - Overview, Research Programs and Future Plans

Abstract.The Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility (SARAF) is under construction in the Soreq Nuclear Research Center at Yavne, Israel. When completed at the beginning of the next decade, SARAF will be a user facility for basic and applied nuclear physics, based on a 40 MeV, 5 mA CW proton/deuteron superconducting linear accelerator. Phase I of SARAF (SARAF-I, 4 MeV, 2 mA CW protons, 5 MeV 1 mA CW deuterons) is already in operation, generating scientific results in several fields of interest. The main ongoing program at SARAF-I is the production of 30 keV neutrons and measurement of Maxwellian Averaged Cross Sections (MACS), important for the astrophysical s-process. The world leading Maxwellian epithermal neutron yield at SARAF-I (

FIRST NUCLEAR-ASTROPHYSICS EXPERIMENTS WITH HIGH-INTENSITY NEUTRONS FROM THE LIQUID-LITHIUM TARGET LiLiT

5 \times 10^{10}

Absolute electron detachment and fragmentation cross sections for laser excited Al−n (2 ≤ n ≤ 10)

5×1010 epithermal neutrons/s), generated by a novel Liquid-Lithium Target (LiLiT), enables improved precision of known MACSs, and new measurements of low-abundance and radioactive isotopes. Research plans for SARAF-II span several disciplines: precision studies of beyond-Standard-Model effects by trapping light exotic radioisotopes, such as 6He, 8Li and 18, 19, 23Ne, in unprecedented amounts (including meaningful studies already at SARAF-I); extended nuclear astrophysics research with higher energy neutrons, including generation and studies of exotic neutron-rich isotopes relevant to the rapid (r-) process; nuclear structure of exotic isotopes; high energy neutron cross sections for basic nuclear physics and material science research, including neutron induced radiation damage; neutron based imaging and therapy; and novel radiopharmaceuticals development and production. In this paper we present a technical overview of SARAF-I and II, including a description of the accelerator and its irradiation targets; a survey of existing research programs at SARAF-I; and the research potential at the completed facility (SARAF-II).

Competition between ionization and fragmentation of small aluminum cluster anions

A high-intensity neutron source based on a Liquid-Lithium Target (LiLiT) and the Li(p,n) reaction was developed at SARAF (Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility, Israel). The setup is used for nuclear-astrophysics experiments owing to the quasi-Maxwellian shape of the neutron energy distribution at stellar thermal energies (kT ~ 30 keV). The LiLiT device consists of a forced-flown (> 2 m/s) film of liquid lithium (~200 C) whose free surface is bombarded by a proton beam. The lithium film acts both as the neutron-producing target and as a power beam dump. The setup was commissioned with a 1.2 mA proton beam at 1.91 MeV, producing a neutron yield (peaked at ~28 keV) of ~ 3 ×10 n/s, more than one order of magnitude larger than conventional Li(p,n)-based neutron sources. The target dissipates a peak power areal density of 2.5 kW/cm and a peak power volume density of 500 kW/cm with no significant temperature or vacuum pressure elevation in the target chamber. We present preliminary results of first activation measurements on Zr and Ce stable isotopes performed with the SARAF-LiLiT setup, using Au as neutron monitor and of the determination of their Maxwellian-averaged neutron capture cross section.

Radiative cooling of Al-4(-) clusters

The absolute cross sections for photo-absorption followed by electron detachment or fragmentation of Aln− (2 ≤ n ≤ 10) were measured using an electrostatic ion beam trap. The competition between prompt fragmentation and electron detachment was determined and quantified by the branching fractions.

Competition between delayed ionization and fragmentation of laser-excited Al4-

The competition between delayed fragmentation and delayed ionization of laser excited Al-4 clusters was measured by simultaneous detection of charged and neutral fragments.