Compound-nuclear reactions with unstable nuclei: Constraining theory through innovative experimental approaches

Escher, Jutta; Tonchev, A. P.; Burke, J. T.; Bedrossian, P.; Casperson, R. J.; Cooper, Nathan; Hughes, R. O.; Humby, P.; Ilieva, R. S.; Ota, S.; Pietralla, N.; Scielzo, N. D.; Werner, V.

doi:10.1051/epjconf/201612212001

Cited by 16 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 36 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…These can be used in inverse-kinematics experiments to bombard longer-lived target materials. Neutrons are not suitable (stationary) target material [9]; thus new techniques have to be developed to extract the desired cross sections from radioactive-beam experiments [10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Constraining Neutron Capture Cross Sections for Unstable Nuclei with Surrogate Reaction Data and Theory

et al. 2018

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Obtaining reliable data for nuclear reactions on unstable isotopes remains an extremely important task and a formidable challenge. Neutron capture cross sections-crucial ingredients for models of astrophysical processes, national security applications, and simulations of nuclear energy generation-are particularly elusive, as both projectile and target in the reaction are unstable. We demonstrate a new method for determining cross sections for neutron capture on unstable isotopes, using ^{87}Y(n,γ) as a prototype. To validate the method, a benchmark experiment is carried out to obtain the known ^{90}Zr(n,γ) cross section analogously. Our approach, which employs an indirect ("surrogate") measurement combined with theory, can be generalized to a larger class of nuclear reactions. It can be used both with traditional stable-beam experiments and in inverse kinematics at rare-isotope facilities.

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Constraining Neutron Capture Cross Sections for Unstable Nuclei with Surrogate Reaction Data and Theory

et al. 2018

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…More detailed information on the advantages and challenges of calculating the capture cross section using indirect techniques, including the surrogate method [12], can be found in Refs. [9,13].…”

Section: Experimental Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Capture cross sections on unstable nuclei

et al. 2017

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Accurate neutron-capture cross sections on unstable nuclei near the line of beta stability are crucial for understanding the s-process nucleosynthesis. However, neutron-capture cross sections for short-lived radionuclides are difficult to measure due to the fact that the measurements require both highly radioactive samples and intense neutron sources. Essential ingredients for describing the γ decays following neutron capture are the γ -ray strength function and level densities. We will compare different indirect approaches for obtaining the most relevant observables that can constrain Hauser-Feshbach statistical-model calculations of capture cross sections. Specifically, we will consider photon scattering using monoenergetic and 100% linearly polarized photon beams. Challenges that exist on the path to obtaining neutron-capture cross sections for reactions on isotopes near and far from stability will be discussed.

show abstract

“…Understanding excitations at higher energies, created by removing a nucleon from a deeply-bound orbital or by populating a resonance, is more challenging [1]. With the recent interest in using transfer reactions to indirectly infer cross sections for reactions involving very short-lived nuclei [2][3][4][5][6], it becomes relevant to revisit the issue.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

One-nucleon pickup reactions and compound-nuclear decays

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

One-nucleon transfer reactions, long used as a tool to study the structure of nuclei, are potentially valuable for determining reaction cross sections indirectly. This is significant, as many reactions of interest to astrophysics and other applications involve short-lived isotopes and cannot be measured directly. We describe a procedure for obtaining constraints for calculations of neutron capture cross sections using observables from experiments with transfer reactions. As a first step toward demonstrating the method, we outline the theory developments used to properly describe the production of the compound nucleus 88Y* via the one-nucleon pickup reaction 89Y(p,d)88Y* and test the description with data from a recent experiment. We indicate how this development can be used to extract the unknown 87Y(n,γ) cross section from 89Y(p,dγ) data. The example illustrates a more generally applicable method for determining unknown cross sections via a combination of theory and transfer (or inelastic scattering) experiments.

show abstract

Compound-nuclear reactions with unstable nuclei: Constraining theory through innovative experimental approaches

Cited by 16 publications

References 36 publications

Constraining Neutron Capture Cross Sections for Unstable Nuclei with Surrogate Reaction Data and Theory

Constraining Neutron Capture Cross Sections for Unstable Nuclei with Surrogate Reaction Data and Theory

Capture cross sections on unstable nuclei

One-nucleon pickup reactions and compound-nuclear decays

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About