A new algorithm for automatic photopeak searches

A new, "quantum mechanical" algorithm is proposed for automatic photopeak location in gamma-ray spectra from semiconductor and scintillator detectors.Comment: 9 pages, LaTex, without figures. Sample program and figures (by FAX) can be sent on reques

Astrophysical Rates for Explosive Nucleosynthesis: Stellar and Laboratory Rates for Exotic Nuclei

A selected overview of stellar effects and reaction mechanisms with relevance to the prediction of astrophysical reaction rates far off stability is provided.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures (contining 2 subfigures each); Proceedings of 10th Intl. Conference on Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions, Beijing, China, August 2009; to appear in Nuclear Physics

Optimizing performances of CsI(Tl) crystals with a photodiode readout

Tests are described concerning the performances of CsI(Tl) crystals. Particular care was dedicated to the study of the light production and collection of the crystals, that appear to be significantly a⁄ected both by the choice of the wrapping materials and by the details of the binding technique. A functional relation between the light pulse height and the coupling of the crystal#photodiode system was deduced. Finally, the influence of this coupling on the energy resolution of the detector is discussed. ( 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Application of Photon Strength Functions to (n,g ) measurements with the n_TOF TAC

The neutron capture cross section measurements at the CERN n_TOF facility are performed using a new detection system, the segmented Total Absorption Calorimeter (TAC). All measurements are performed in reference to the well known Au σ(n,γ). The accuracy of the measurements depends on the accuracy of the TAC detection efficiency, which is calculated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. In this MC simulation photon strength functions and level densities play a major role as ingredients used for the generation of primary events, that is the electromagnetic cascades following the (n,γ) process. We have calculated the TAC detection efficiency for the case of Au (n,γ) by adjusting the photon strength functions of Au so that the simulation reproduces the experimental data. Both the MC method and the uncertainty of the results are discussed

GARFIELD + RCo Digital Upgrade: a Modern Set-up for Mass and Charge Identification of Heavy Ion Reaction Products

An upgraded GARFIELD + Ring Counter (RCo) apparatus is presented with improved performances as far as electronics and detectors are concerned. On one side fast sampling digital read out has been extended to all detectors, allowing for an important simplification of the signal processing chain together with an enriched extracted information. On the other side a relevant improvement has been made in the forward part of the setup (RCo): an increased granularity of the CsI(Tl) crystals and a higher homogeneity in the silicon detector resistivity. The renewed performances of the GARFIELD + RCo array make it suitable for nuclear reaction measurements both with stable and with Radioactive Ion Beams (RIB), like the ones foreseen for the SPES facility, where the Physics of Isospin can be studied.Comment: 13 pages, 19 figures - paper submitted to Eur. Phys. J.

The 93Zr(n, γ) reaction up to 8 keV neutron energy

The (n,γ) reaction of the radioactive isotope 93Zr has been measured at the n-TOF high-resolution time-of-flight facility at CERN. Resonance parameters have been extracted in the neutron energy range up to 8 keV, yielding capture widths smaller (14%) than reported in an earlier experiment. These results are important for detailed nucleosynthesis calculations and for refined studies of waste transmutation concepts.EC FIKW-CT-2000-0010

CERN n_TOF facility: Performance report

An innovative neutron Time-of-Flight facility (n_TOF) has recently become operative at CERN. The high neutron flux is obtained by the spallation of 20 GeV/c protons onto a solid lead target. The proton beam is delivered by the Proton Synchrotron (PS) at CERN capable of providing up to four sharp bunches (RMS 6 ns) with an intensity of 7x10^12 protons per bunch within a 14.4s supercycle. The present report describes the outstanding characteristics of this facility: high neutron flux of 10^6 n/cm^2/7x10^12 p at 185 m, wide spectral function from 1 eV up to 250 MeV, low repetition rates, an excellent energy resolution of 2x10^-4 in the resonance region and low background conditions. These unique features open new possibilities for high precision neutron induced cross section measurements relevant to Nuclear Technology, Nuclear Astrophysics and fundamental Nuclear Physics

Isotope analysis in central heavy ion collisions at intermediate energies

Symmetry energy is a key quantity in the study of the equation of state of asymmetric nuclear matter. Heavy ion collisions at low and intermediate energies, performed at Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro and Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, can be used to extract information on the symmetry energy coefficient Csym, which is currently poorly known but relevant both for astrophysics and for structure of exotic nuclei.Comment: 2 pages, 1 figure. Proceedings of 7th International Conference on Radioactive Nuclear Beams (RNB7), to be published in The European Physical Journal