R.J. Casperson

First observation of low-energy γ-ray enhancement in the rare-earth region

Here, the γ-ray strength function and level density in the quasi-continuum of 151,153Sm have been measured using bismuth germanate shielded Ge clover detectors of the STARLiTeR system. The Compton shields allow an extraction of the γ strength down to unprecedentedly low γ energies of ≈ 500 keV. For the first time an enhanced low-energy γ-ray strength has been observed in the rare-earth region. In addition, for the first time both the upbend and the well-known scissors resonance have been observed simultaneously for the same nucleus. Hauser-Feshbach calculations show that this strength enhancement at low γ energies could have an impact of 2 3 orders of magnitude on the (n, γ) reaction rates for r-process nucleosynthesis.

Surrogate measurement of the 238Pu(n,f) cross section

The neutron-induced fission cross section of 238 Pu was determined using the surrogate ratio method. The (n,f) cross section over an equivalent neutron energy range 5‐20 MeV was deduced from inelastic α-induced fission reactions on 239 Pu, with 235 U(α, α � f )a nd 236 U(α, α � f) used as references. These reference reactions reflect 234 U(n,f )a nd 235 U(n,f) yields, respectively. The deduced 238 Pu(n, f) cross section agrees well with standard data libraries up to ∼10 MeV, although larger values are seen at higher energies. The difference at higher energies is less than 20%.

Performance of a MICROMEGAS-based TPC in a high-energy neutron beam

Abstract The MICROMEGAS (MICRO-MEsh GAseous Structure) charge amplification structure has found wide use in many detection applications, especially as a gain stage for the charge readout of Time Projection Chambers (TPCs). Here we report on the behavior of a MICROMEGAS TPC when operated in a high-energy (up to 800 MeV ) neutron beam. It is found that neutron-induced reactions can cause discharges in some drift gas mixtures that are stable in the absence of the neutron beam. The discharges result from recoil ions close to the MICROMEGAS that deposit high specific ionization density and have a limited diffusion time. For a binary drift gas, increasing the percentage of the molecular component (quench gas) relative to the noble component and operating at lower pressures generally improves stability.

To the continuum and beyond: Structure of U nuclei

An experiment was performed at the 88-inch cyclotron at LBNL to investigate the structure of uranium isotopes and concurrently test the so-called surrogate ratio method. A 28 MeV proton beam was used to bombard 236U and 238U targets and the outgoing light ions were detected using the STARS silicon telescope allowing isotopic assignments and the excitation energy of the compound nucleus to be measured. A fission detector was placed at backward angles to give particle-fission coincidences, while the six clover germanium detectors of the LIBERACE array were used for particle-γ coincidences. The (p,d) reaction channels on 236U and 238U targets were used as a surrogate to measure the σ(234U(n,f))/σ(236U(n,f)) cross section ratio. The results give reasonable agreement with literature values over an equivalent neutron energy range between 0 MeV and 6 MeV. Structure results in 235U include a new (3/2−) level at 1035 keV, that is tentatively assigned as the 3/2−[501] Nilsson state. The analogue 3/2−[501] state in 237U may be associated with a previously observed level at 1201 keV, whose spin/parity is restricted to Jπ = 3/2− on the basis of newly observed decays to the ground band.

Neutron capture cross sections of {sup 148}Gd and the decay of {sup 149}Gd

The thermal cross section and resonance integral were measured for radiative neutron capture by radioactive {sup 148}Gd. The deduced values are {sigma}=9600{+-}900 b and I=28,200{+-}2300. We also deduced upper limits for the n,p and n, {alpha} cross sections, respectively, 0.25 b and 13 b. The {gamma}-ray spectrum from the decay of {sup 149}Gd was studied in singles mode at high resolution to verify the previously determined energies and intensities. From the latter measurements, new transitions are proposed and upper limits are deduced for previously reported transitions.