V. P. Zavarzina

Quasifree proton scattering on halo nuclei as a tool for studying the neutron-halo structure

An experimental method is proposed for investigating the structure of the two-neutron halo in quasifree proton scattering on clusters of halo nuclei. This scattering process is studied in inverse kinematics by using a 6He beam incident to a stack of track emulsions. Preliminary data on the reaction 6He + p → 4He + p + X are compared with the results of simple kinematical calculations for quasifree proton scattering on the clusters forming the halo of the 6He nucleus.

Large-Volume Detector at the Baksan Neutrino Observatory for Studies of Natural Neutrino Fluxes for Purposes of Geo- and Astrophysics

At the Baksan Neutrino Observatory (Institute for Nuclear Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow) deployed in the Caucasus mountains, it is proposed to create, at a depth corresponding to 4760 mwe, a large-volume neutrino detector on the basis of a liquid scintillator with a target mass of 10 kt. The detector in question is intended for recording natural fluxes of neutrinos whose energy may be as low as 100MeV. Neutrino fluxes from various sources are considered in the present study, and the expected effect in the proposed detector is estimated. The detector hat is being developed at the Baksan Neutrino Observatorywill become part of the world network of neutrino detectors for studying natural neutrino fluxes.

On some approximations in the theory of halo nucleus reactions

The halo nucleus nucleon stripping reaction on a light target is studied using the diffraction theory of reactions with weakly bound nuclei. An improved version of the approximation of a small target’s radius (compared to the size of a halo nucleus) is formulated. Simple analytical expressions for the differential cross section and the longitudinal momentum distribution of observed particles that allow us to calculate them with good accuracy are obtained.

The Role of Configurations of Neutron Halo in the Formation of the Model Vertex Function for Description of the Two-Neutron Transfer Reaction

The nuclear vertex functions for virtual decay of halo nuclei 6He → α + n + n (11Li-9Li + n + n) for dineutron and cigarlike configurations of the neutron halo have been analytically investigated using the diagram method of direct nuclear reactions. These vertex functions describe the one-step process of two-neutron transfer. It is shown that the angular and energy distributions of the reaction products (α particles, 9Li, etc.) in different ranges of variables correspond to different structural elements of the halo. The vertex function describing the two-step process of halo neutron transfer has also been analyzed.

Geo-Neutrinos and the Earth’s Internal Heat Flux

Predictions of geo-neutrino fluxes and the Earth’s internal heat flux made by the Hydride Earth model are discussed. The prediction of geo-neutrino fluxes can be consistent with experimental measured fluxes. The predicted value of the Earth’s internal heat flux is significantly larger than the value experimentally obtained under the assumption that the main mode of heat transport is thermal conductivity. We consider another mode of heat transport in the Earth’s crust: heat transport by hot gases created in the Earth’s crust at great depth. We discuss also experimental data supporting this idea, particularly the temperature profiles obtained in the Kola superdeep borehole.

On the Negatively Charged Layer of the Earth’s Electric Field

Based on the hydridic Earth model, we propose a hydridic model of the Earth’s electric field. The model predicts that the negative electrode of the Earth’s capacitor is located under the Earth’s crust and the Earth’s fluids carry a positive charge. We have observed an excess of positive charge in the Earth’s crust down to kilometer depths. The model explains the unitary variation of the fair-weather atmospheric electric field strength, the change in atmospheric electric field strength and the precipitation of high-energy electrons during earthquakes.

Measurement of the 14 C Content in Liquid Scintillators by Means of a Small-Volume Detector in the Low-Background Chamber of the Baksan Neutrino Observatory

A setup for measuring natural-radioactivity backgrounds and ultralow concentrations of the isotope 14C in samples of a liquid organic scintillator was created at the low-background laboratory of the Baksan Neutrino Observatory (Institute for Nuclear Research, Russian Academy of Sciences) at a depth of 4900 mwe. The concentration of the radiocarbon 14C in a sample of a scintillator based on domestically produced linear alkylbenzene was measured, and it was found that 14C/12C (3.3 ± 0.5) × 10−17.

How Geoneutrinos can help in understanding of the Earth heat flux

The Hydride Earth model predictions of geoneutrino flux and intrinsic Earth heat flux are discussed. The geoneutrino flux predicted by the model can be adjusted to the experimental one. The predicted intrinsic Earth heat flux is significantly larger than model dependent experimental value obtained under assumption that the main heat transfer mechanism is a thermal conductivity. We introduce an additional mechanism of heat transfer in the Earths crust, namely the energy transfer by hot gases produced in the Earth crust at great depths. The experimental data supporting this idea, in particular the temperature profiles measured in the Kola super deep borehole, are discussed.

Measuring the 14C content in liquid scintillators

We are going to perform a series of measurements where the 14C/12 C ratio will be measured from several liquid scintillator samples with a dedicated setup. The setup is designed with the aim of measuring ratios smaller than 10-18. Measurements take place in two underground laboratories: in the Baksan Neutrino Observatory, Russia and in the Pyhasalmi mine, Finland. In Baksan the measurements started in 2015 and in Pyhasalmi they start in the beginning of 2015. In order to fully understand the operation of the setup and its background contributions a development of simulation packages has also been started. Low-energy neutrino detection with a liquid scintillator requires that the intrinsic 14C content in the liquid is extremely low. In the Borexino CTF detector at Gran Sasso, Italy the 14C/12C ratio of 2 × 10-18 has been achieved being the lowest 14C concentration ever measured. In principle, the older the oil or gas source that the liquid scintillator is derived of and the deeper it situates, the smaller the 14C/12C ratio is supposed to be. This, however, is not generally the case, and the ratio is probably determined by the U and Th content of the local environment.

Longitudinal momentum distributions in stripping reactions with halo nuclei

Differential cross sections and longitudinal momentum distributions of observed particles are calculated for stripping reactions that result from diffractive interaction between halo nuclei and targets. The applicability of different analytic methods of calculation is considered. The advantages of an improved approximation of small target radius are demonstrated for valent halo nucleon absorption radii of 2–4 fm in describing momentum distributions in particular.