Reactions along the astrophysical s-process path and prospects for neutron radiotherapy with the Liquid-Lithium Target (LiLiT) at the Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility (SARAF)

Paul, M.; Tessler, M.; Friedman, M.; Halfon, S.; Palchan, T.; Weissman, L.; Arenshtam, A.; Berkovits, D.; Eisen, Y.; Eliahu, I; Feinberg, G.; Kijel, D.; Kreisel, A.; Mardor, I.; Shimel, G.; Shor, A.; Silverman, I.

doi:10.1140/epja/i2019-12723-5

Cited by 31 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 116 publications

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“…Previous experimental data exist also in the literature for this reaction at 2.56A and 3A MeV [44,46,47]. It seems that the reaction goes through an intermediate nucleus, 10 B, which decays to 6 Li and an α particle, populating besides the ground state of 6 Li, the first two resonances at 2.186 and 3.562 MeV. Full angular distributions exist only for the ground state transition.…”

Section: E the P( 9 Be 6 Li) Reactionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…Therefore we have undertaken a broad experimental program with the involvement of these nuclei on breakup and other reaction channels induced by protons, and their interpretation at appropriate theoretical frameworks, in respect with couplings to continuum. Such studies at low energies are also useful for providing in the community and the new generations to come experimental fundamental data and associated theoretical descriptions, for different applications from astrophysics and material science to societal applications on health, energy, and climate [9][10][11][12]. Global experimental studies, interpreted into appropriate theoretical models can provide the basis for such applications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Global study of Be9 + p at 2.72A MeV

et al. 2020

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Background: In our recent experiment, 9 Be +p at 5.67A MeV, the breakup decay rates to the three configurations, α + α + n, 8 Be * +n and 5 He + 4 He of 9 Be, were observed and quantified in the proton recoil spectra, in a full kinematics approach. Unfolding step by step the accessibility to the above configurations, it will require similar experiments at lower or/and higher energies. It will also require the interpretation of the data in a theoretical framework. Three-body models for the structure of 9 Be have been developed and applied to reactions with heavy targets. Further research on lighter targets is required for the best establishment of the model. Such models are relevant for the calculation of the corresponding radiative capture reaction rate, α(α, γ ) 9 Be followed by 9 Be(α, n) 12 C. The last is essential for the r-process abundance predictions. Purpose: Investigate the breakup decay rate of 9 Be +p at 2.72A MeV, where the direct configuration α + α + n is mainly accessible. Compare and interpret data at this low energy and at the higher energy of 5.67A MeV into a four-body continuum discretized coupled-channel formalism. Point out and discuss couplings to continuum. Methods: Our experimental method includes an exclusive breakup measurement in a full kinematic approach of 9 Be incident on a proton target at 24.5 MeV (2.72A MeV). Complementary the elastic scattering is measured and other reaction channels are evaluated from previous measurements under the same experimental conditions. The interpretation of present data at 2.72A MeV and previous data at 5.67A MeV, are considered in a four-body continuum discretized coupled channel (CDCC) approach, using the transformed harmonic oscillator method for the three-body projectile. Results: An elastic scattering angular distribution at 2.72A MeV is measured, which compares very well with CDCC calculations, indicating a strong coupling to continuum. At the same energy, the breakup and total reaction cross sections are measured as σ break = 2.5 ± 1m ba n dσ tot = 510 ± L90 mb, in good agreement with the calculated values of 3.7 and 433 mb, respectively. Further on, into the same theoretical framework, the elastic scattering and breakup cross section data at 5.67A MeV are found in very good agreement with the CDCC calculations. Conclusions: It was confirmed in a global experimental framework that four-body CDCC calculations can describe very well the data even at low energies. Coupling to continuum is very strong despite the small measured breakup cross section. Moreover, the present results support further our three-body model for the structure of 9 Be, validating relevant radiative reaction rates obtained previously.

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Section: E the P( 9 Be 6 Li) Reactionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global study of Be9 + p at 2.72A MeV

et al. 2020

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“…The LiLiT prototype target was decided to be decommissioned in 2016 following a leak developed in the lithium reservoir, in favor of the new design. In order to support the ongoing astrophysics and nuclear research program ( [1,2]) the construction of the new design has been divided into two stages. First, a low power (6 kW) model of the new design with a narrower nozzle (18 mm wide) and a rotating-magnets EMP was built and commissioned at SARAF in 2018.…”

Section: The Alin Pump Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, a reliable conventional lithium target working under beam power levels (~ tens kW), as considered for therapy purpose in the energy range above, proves very difficult to build because of the mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of lithium (principally its low melting point at 181°C). The development of the liquid-lithium target LiLiT as a high-intensity epithermal neutron source, operated in conjunction with the SARAF linear accelerator has led us to investigate its application for neutron radiotherapy [1,14,15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 50 kW Liquid-Lithium Target for BNCT and Material-Science Applications

et al. 2020

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A compact Liquid Lithium Target (LiLiT) has been operating at SARAF for several years with beam power of several kW (1.9-2.5 MeV, up to 2 mA). When bombarding the lithium with low energy protons neutrons are generated. The neutron source, mainly used for nuclear astrophysics research, was decommissioned in 2016 towards an upgraded model - with possible applications to Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) and material-science studies. The improved version has been designed to sustain 50 kW proton beam power (2.5 MeV, ~20 mA) to provide sufficient neutron flux required for clinical BNCT application. The new model has a 50 mm wide lithium jet to enable dissipation of the higher beam power and an improved heat exchanger to remove the power to a secondary cooling loop. A new Annular Linear INduction electro-magnetic pump (ALIN) has been designed and built to provide the required lithium flow rate. Other mechanical improvements facilitate the maintenance of the system and the robustness of operation. Radiological risks due to the 7Be produced in the reaction are reduced by using an integrated lead shielding of the lithium reservoir. An integrated neutron moderator is being designed to adjust the neutron energy to the spectrum best suited to BNCT. A low power (6 kW) model of the new design with a narrower nozzle (18 mm wide) and a rotating-magnet electro-magnetic pump is operating at SARAF to support the ongoing astrophysics and nuclear research program [1], [2]. To fulfill clinical BNCT, the upgraded LiLiT model will require an accelerator of appropriate energy and intensity. The design features of the new system are presented in this paper.

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“…The 23 Ne (τ 1/2 = 37.24 s) atoms were produced via an (n,p) reaction on a natural abundance NaCl target. The neutrons were produced via a (d,n) reaction on a liquid lithium target "LiLiT" [16,17,18,19,20]. The neon atoms diffused from the target and were transported via a vacuum line backed by a turbomolecular pump whose output was connected to the measurement cell.…”

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confidence: 99%

Constraining new physics with a novel measurement of the $^{23}$Ne $β$-decay branching ratio

Mishnayot,

Glick-Magid,

Rahangdale

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Measurements of the beta-neutrino correlation coefficient (a βν ) in nuclear beta decay, together with the Fierz interference term (b F ), provide a robust test for the existence of exotic interactions beyond the Standard Model of Particle Physics. The extraction of these quantities from the recoil ion spectra in β-decay requires accurate knowledge, decay branching ratios, and high-precision calculations of higher order nuclear effects. Here, we report on a new measurement of the 23 Ne β-decay branching ratio, which allows a reanalysis of existing high-precision measurements. Together with new theoretical calculations of nuclear structure effects, augmented with robust theoretical uncertainty, this measurement improves on the current knowledge of a βν in 23 Ne by an order of magnitude, and strongly constrains the Fierz

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Reactions along the astrophysical s-process path and prospects for neutron radiotherapy with the Liquid-Lithium Target (LiLiT) at the Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility (SARAF)

Cited by 31 publications

References 116 publications

Global study of Be9 + p at 2.72A MeV

Global study of Be9 + p at 2.72A MeV

A 50 kW Liquid-Lithium Target for BNCT and Material-Science Applications

Constraining new physics with a novel measurement of the $^{23}$Ne $β$-decay branching ratio

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