22 research outputs found
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Influence of projectile neutron number on cross section in cold fusion reactions
Elements 107-112 [1,2] have been discovered in reactions between {sup 208}Pb or {sup 209}Bi targets and projectiles ranging from {sup 54}Cr through {sup 70}Zn. In such reactions, the compound nucleus can be formed at excitation energies as low as {approx}12 MeV, thus this type of reaction has been referred to as 'cold fusion'. The study of cold fusion reactions is an indispensable approach to gaining a better understanding of heavy element formation and decay. A theoretical model that successfully predicts not only the magnitudes of cold fusion cross sections, but also the shapes of excitation functions and the cross section ratios between various reaction pairs was recently developed by Swiatecki, Siwek-Wilczynska, and Wilczynski [3,4]. This theoretical model, also referred to as Fusion by Diffusion, has been the guide in all of our cold fusion studies. One particularly interesting aspect of this model is the large predicted difference in cross sections between projectiles differing by two neutrons. The projectile pair where this difference is predicted to be largest is {sup 48}Ti and {sup 50}Ti. To test and extend this model, {sup 208}Pb({sup 48}Ti,n){sup 255}Rf and {sup 208}Pb({sup 50}Ti,n){sup 257}Rf excitation functions were recently measured at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's (LBNL) 88-Inch Cyclotron utilizing the Berkeley Gas-filled Separator (BGS). The {sup 50}Ti reaction was carried out with thin lead targets ({approx}100 {micro}g/cm{sup 2}), and the {sup 48}Ti reaction with both thin and thick targets ({approx}470 {micro}g/cm{sup 2}). In addition to this reaction pair, reactions with projectile pairs {sup 52}Cr and {sup 54}Cr [5], {sup 56}Fe and {sup 58}Fe [6], and {sup 62}Ni [7] and {sup 64}Ni [8] will be discussed and compared to the Fusion by Diffusion predictions. The model predictions show a very good agreement with the data
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Entrance-channel effects in odd-Z tranactinide compound nucleus reactions
Swiatecki, Siwek-Wilczynska, and Wilczynski's 'Fusion By Diffusion' description [1] of transactinide (TAN) compound nucleus (CN) formation utilizes a three-step model. The first step is the 'sticking', or capture, which can be calculated relatively accurately. The second step is the probability for the formation of a CN by 'diffusion' analogous to that of Brownian motion. Lastly, there exists the probability of the CN 'surviving' deexcitation by neutron emission, which competes with fission and other de-excitation modes. This model predicts and reproduces cross sections typically within a factor of two. Producing the same CN with different projectile-target pairs is a very sensitive way to test entrance channel effects on heavy element production cross sections. If the same CN is produced at or near the same excitation energy the survival portion of the theory is nearly identical for the two reactions. This method can be used as a critical test of the novel 'diffusion' portion of the model. The reactions producing odd-Z TAN CN such as Db, Bh, Mt, and Rg (Z = 105, 107, 109, and 111, respectively) were first studied using even-Z projectiles on {sup 209}Bi targets (as opposed to odd-Z projectiles on {sup 208}Pb targets) because lower effective fissility [2] was expected to lead to larger cross sections. Many odd-Z projectile reactions producing odd-Z CN had not been studied in-depth until very recently. We have completed studies of these reaction pairs with the 88-Inch Cyclotron and the Berkeley Gas-Filled Separator (BGS) at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), see Figure 1. Cross section ratios for several pairs of reactions will be presented and compared with theory
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Comparison of reactions for the production of 258,257Db: 208Pb(51V,xn) and 209Bi(50Ti,xn)
Excitation functions for the 1n and 2n exit channels of the 208Pb(51V,xn)259-xDb reaction were measured. A maximum cross section of the 1n exit channel of 2070+1100/-760 pb was measured at an excitation energy of 16.0 +- 1.8 MeV. For the 2n exit channel, a maximum cross section of 1660+450/-370 pb was measured at 22.0 +- 1.8 MeV excitation energy. The 1n excitation function for the 209Bi(50Ti,n)258Db reaction was remeasured, resulting in a cross section of 5480+1750/-1370 pb at an excitation energy of 16.0 +- 1.6 MeV, in agreement with previous values [F. P. Hebberger, et al., Eur. Phys. J. A 12, 57 (2001)]. Differences in cross section maxima are discussed in terms of the fusion probability below the barrier
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Investigation of the Statistical Properties of Stable Eu Nuclei using Neutron-Capture Reactions
Neutron capture for incident neutron energies <1eV up to 100 keV has been measured for {sup 151,153}Eu targets. The highly efficient DANCE (Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments) array coupled with the intense neutron beam at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center is used for the experiment. Stable Eu isotopes mass separated and electroplated on Be backings were used. Properties of well-resolved, strong resonances in two Eu nuclei are examined. The parameters for most of these resonances are known. Detailed multiplicity information for each resonance is obtained employing the high granularity of the DANCE array. The radiative decay cascades corresponding to each resonance are obtained in the experiment. The measurements are compared to simulation of these cascades which calculated with various models for the radiative strength function. Comparison between the experimental data and simulation provides an opportunity to investigate the average quantities
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Neutron Capture Experiments on Unstable Nuclei
The overall objective of this project is the measurement of neutron capture cross sections of importance to stewardship science and astrophysical modeling of nucleosynthesis, while at the same time helping to train the next generation of scientists with expertise relevant to U.S. national nuclear security missions and to stewardship science. A primary objective of this project is to study neutron capture cross sections for various stable and unstable isotopes that will contribute to the Science Based Stockpile Stewardship (SBSS) program by providing improved data for modeling and interpretation of nuclear device performance. Much of the information obtained will also be important in astrophysical modeling of nucleosynthesis. Measurements of these neutron capture cross sections are being conducted in collaboration with researchers at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) facility using the unique Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments (DANCE). In our early discussions with the DANCE group, decisions were made on the first cross sections to be measured and how our expertise in target preparation, radiochemical separations chemistry, and data analysis could best be applied. The initial emphasis of the project was on preparing suitable targets of both natural and separated stable europium isotopes in preparation for the ultimate goal of preparing a sufficiently large target of radioactive 155Eu (t1/2 = 4.7 years) and other radioactive and stable species for neutron cross-section measurements at DANCE. Our Annual Report, ''Neutron Capture Experiments on Unstable Nuclei'' by J. M. Schwantes, R. Sudowe, C. M. Folden III, H. Nitsche, and D. C. Hoffman, submitted to NNSA in December 2003, gives details about the initial considerations and scope of the project. During the current reporting period, electroplated targets of natural Eu together with valuable, stable, and isotopically pure 151Eu and 153Eu, and isotopically separated 154Sm were measured for the first time at the DANCE facility in early 2004. The Eu targets, suitable blanks, Be backing foils, and standards had been sent to the DANCE group in early fall 2003. Some preliminary data analysis was performed and more sophisticated analysis has begun. We developed plans for a suitable computer system for data analysis within our group at Berkeley and had meetings with counterparts at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and LANL concerning analysis of these data. Our major emphasis in 2004 has been to develop the separations and processes ultimately required to prepare radioactive targets of 4.7-year 155Eu. Efforts continued to devise an optimum multiprocess procedure suitable for use in separating radioactive 155Eu already produced by irradiation of stable 154Sm in a high neutron flux reactor at the Institut Laue-Langevin in France and shipped to LANL (the 22-min 155Sm neutron-capture product decays to 155Eu). This separation is extremely demanding because the highly radioactive 155Eu must be isolated from about 20 times as much mass of samarium before a target can be prepared for DANCE measurements. After all the procedures have been fully tested the radioactive 155Eu will be separated. The same electroplating methods already used successfully to prepare stable Eu isotope targets will be used to prepare the 155Eu target for DANCE. Discussions were held with LANL radiochemists in the Chemistry (C) Division about appropriate facilities at LANL for conducting the full-scale separation and purification of the radioactive targets. Three more multiprocess separations were developed that generated less chemical and radioactive waste, but they must still be adapted for processing hundred-milligram quantities. Until these separations can be successfully implemented at this scale, standard HPLC procedures will be used for separating and preparing radioactive 155Eu, 2.6-year 147Pm, and 1.9-year 171Tm target materials. Future directions beyond the preparation of radioactive lanthanide targets include closer collaboration with both LLNL and LANL to prepare actinide targets such as plutonium, americium, and curium. Also, the applicability of established and novel techniques will be evaluated for rapid separations of Am and Cm required in the irradiation of 241Am. Lastly, we will conduct a series of experiments aimed at enhancing current methods used to electrodeposit lanthanide and actinide targets on thin Ti and Be backings
TOWARD VOLATILE METAL COMPLEXES OF RUTHERFORDIUM - RESULTS OF TEST EXERIMENTS WITH Zr AND Hf
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Heavy-ion-induced production and preseparation of short-lived isotopes for chemistry experiments
Physical separation of short-lived isotopes produced in heavy-ion-induced fusion reactions is a powerful and well know method and often applied in investigations of the heaviest elements, called the transactinides (Z>=104). By extracting these isotopes from a recoil separator, they can be made available for transport to setups located outside the heavily shielded irradiation position such as chemistry setups. This physical preseparation technique overcomes many limitations currently faced in the chemical investigation of transactinides. Here we describe the basic principle using relatively short-lived isotopes of the lighter group 4 elements zirconium (Zr) and hafnium (Hf) that are used as analogs of the lightest transactinide element, rutherfordium (Rf, element 104). The Zr and Hf isotopes were produced at the LBNL 88-Inch Cyclotron using a cocktail of 18O and 50Ti beams and the appropriate targets. Subsequently, the isotopes were physically separated in the Berkeley Gas-filled Separator (BGS) and guided to a Recoil Transfer Chamber (RTC) to transfer them to chemistry setups. The magnetic rigidities of the reaction products in low-pressure helium gas were measured and their identities determined with gamma-pectroscopy. Using preseparated isotopes has the advantages of low background and beam plasma free environment for chemistry experiments. The new possibilities that open up for chemical investigations of transactinide elements are descr ibed. The method can readily be applied to homologous elements within other groups in the periodic table