Transition probabilities in the X(5) candidate 122^{122}Ba

To investigate the possible X(5) character of 122Ba, suggested by the ground state band energy pattern, the lifetimes of the lowest yrast states of 122Ba have been measured, via the Recoil Distance Doppler-Shift method. The relevant levels have been populated by using the 108Cd(16O,2n)122Ba and the 112Sn(13C,3n)122Ba reactions. The B(E2) values deduced in the present work are compared to the predictions of the X(5) model and to calculations performed in the framework of the IBA-1 and IBA-2 models

πNN\pi NN coupling determined beyond the chiral limit

Within the conventional QCD sum rules, we calculate the $\pi NN$ coupling constant, $g_{\pi N}$, beyond the chiral limit using two-point correlation function with a pion. We consider the Dirac structure, $i\gamma_5$, at $m_\pi^2$ order, which has clear dependence on the PS and PV coupling schemes for the pion-nucleon interactions. For a consistent treatment of the sum rule, we include the linear terms in quark mass as they constitute the same chiral order as $m_\pi^2$. Using the PS coupling scheme for the pion-nucleon interaction, we obtain $g_{\pi N}=13.3\pm 1.2$, which is very close to the empirical $\pi NN$ coupling. This demonstrates that going beyond the chiral limit is crucial in determining the coupling and the pseudoscalar coupling scheme is preferable from the QCD point of view.Comment: 8 pages, revtex, some errors are corrected, substantially revise

First results from an aging test of a prototype RPC for the LHCb Muon System

Recent results of an aging test performed at the CERN Gamma Irradiation Facility on a single--gap RPC prototype developed for the LHCb Muon System are presented. The results are based on an accumulated charge of about 0.45 C/cm$^2$, corresponding to about 4 years of LHCb running at the highest background rate. The performance of the chamber has been studied under several photon flux values exploiting a muon beam. A degradation of the rate capability above 1 kHz/cm$^2$ is observed, which can be correlated to a sizeable increase of resistivity of the chamber plates. An increase of the chamber dark current is also observed. The chamber performance is found to fulfill the LHCb operation requirements.Comment: 6 pages, 9 figures, presented at the International Workshop on Aging Phenomena in Gaseous Detectors'', DESY-Hamburg (Germany), October 200

Preliminary results of an aging test of RPC chambers for the LHCb Muon System

The preliminary results of an aging test performed at the CERN Gamma Irradiation Facility on a single--gap RPC prototype developed for the LHCb Muon System are presented. The results are based on an accumulated charge density of 0.42 C/cm^2, corresponding to about 4 years of LHCb running at the highest background rate. We observe a rise in the dark current and noise measured with source off. The current drawn with source on steadily decreased, possibly indicating an increase of resistivity of the chamber plates. The performance of the chamber, studied with a muon beam under several photon flux values, is found to still fulfill the LHCb operation requirements.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, presented at RPC2001, VIth Workshop on Resistive Plate Chambers and Related Detectors, November 26-27 2001, Coimbra, Portuga

Parity shift and beat staggering structure of octupole bands in a collective model for quadrupole-octupole deformed nuclei

We propose a collective model formalism which describes the strong parity shift observed in low-lying spectra of nuclei with octupole deformations together with the fine rotational band structure developed at higher angular momenta. The parity effect is obtained by the Schroedinger equation for oscillations of the reflection asymmetric (octupole) shape between two opposite orientations in an angular momentum dependent double-well potential. The rotational structure is obtained by a collective quadrupole-octupole rotation Hamiltonian. The model scheme reproduces the complicated beat staggering patterns observed in the octupole bands of light actinide nuclei. It explains the angular momentum evolution of octupole spectra as the interplay between the octupole shape oscillation (parity shift) mode and the stable quadrupole-octupole rotation mode.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure

Transition rates and nuclear structure changes in mirror nuclei 47Cr and 47V

Lifetime measurements in the mirror nuclei 47Cr and 47V were performed by means of the Doppler-shift attenuation method using the multidetector array EUROBALL, in conjunction with the ancillary detectors ISIS and the Neutron Wall. The determined transition strengths in the yrast cascades are well described by full pf shell model calculations.Comment: Latex2e, 11 pages, 3 figure

On the alpha activity of natural tungsten isotopes

The indication for the alpha decay of 180-W with a half-life T1/2=1.1+0.8-0.4(stat)+-0.3(syst)x10^18 yr has been observed for the first time with the help of the super-low background 116-CdWO_4 crystal scintillators. In conservative approach the lower limit on half-life of 180-W has been established as T1/2>0.7x10^18 yr at 90% C.L. Besides, new T1/2 bounds were set for alpha decay of 182-W, 183-W, 184-W and 186-W at the level of 10^20 yr.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, accepted in Phys. Rev.

Relativistic and Binding Energy Corrections to Direct Photon Production In Upsilon Decay

A systematic gauge-invariant method is used to calculate the rate for an upsilon meson to decay inclusively into a prompt photon. An expansion is made in the quark relative velocity v, which is a small natural parameter for heavy quark systems. Inclusion of these O(v^2) corrections tends to increase the photon rate in the middle z range and to lower it for larger z, a feature supported by the data.Comment: 13 pages, LateX, One figure (to be published in Phys. Rev. D, Sept. 1, 1996