232 research outputs found
Garvey-Kelson Relations for Nuclear Charge Radii
The Garvey-Kelson relations (GKRs) are algebraic expressions originally
developed to predict nuclear masses. In this letter we show that the GKRs
provide a fruitful framework for the prediction of other physical observables
that also display a slowly-varying dynamics. Based on this concept, we extend
the GKRs to the study of nuclear charge radii. The GKRs are tested on 455 out
of the approximately 800 nuclei whose charge radius is experimentally known. We
find a rms deviation between the GK predictions and the experimental values of
only 0.01 fm. This should be contrasted against some of the most successful
microscopic models that yield rms deviations almost three times as large.
Predictions - with reliable uncertainties - are provided for 116 nuclei whose
charge radius is presently unknown.Comment: 4 pages and 3 figure
Accurate spectroscopy of Sr atoms
We report the frequency measurement with an accuracy in the 100 kHz range of
several optical transitions of atomic Sr : at 689 nm, at 688 nm and at 679 nm. Measurements are performed with
a frequency chain based on a femtosecond laser referenced to primary frequency
standards. They allowed the indirect determination with a 70 kHz uncertainty of
the frequency of the doubly forbidden 5s^2^1S_0- 5s5p^3P_0 transition of
Sr at 698 nm and in a second step its direct observation. Frequency
measurements are performed for Sr and Sr, allowing the
determination of , and isotope shifts, as well as the
hyperfine constants.Comment: 12 pages, 16 figure
A Dirac-Hartree-Bogoliubov approximation for finite nuclei
We develop a complete Dirac-Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approximation to the
ground state wave function and energy of finite nuclei. We apply it to
spin-zero proton-proton and neutron-neutron pairing within the
Dirac-Hartree-Bogoliubov approximation (we neglect the Fock term), using a
zero-range approximation to the relativistic pairing tensor. We study the
effects of the pairing on the properties of the even-even nuclei of the
isotopic chains of Ca, Ni and Sn (spherical) and Kr and Sr (deformed), as well
as the =28 isotonic chain, and compare our results with experimental data
and with other recent calculations.Comment: 43 pages, RevTex, 13 figure
Studies of neutron-rich nuclei using the CPT mass spectrometer at CARIBU
The nucleosynthetic path of the astrophysical r-process and the resulting elemental abundances depend on neutron-separation energies which can be determined from the masses of the nuclei along the r-process reaction path. Due to the current lack of experimental data, mass models are often used. The mass values provided by the mass models are often too imprecise or disagree with each other. Therefore, direct high-precision mass measurements of neutron-rich nuclei are necessary to provide input parameters to the calculations and help refine the mass models. The Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) facility of Argonne National Laboratory will provide experiments with beams of short-lived neutron-rich nuclei. The Canadian Penning Trap (CPT) mass spectrometer has been relocated to the CARIBU low-energy beam line to extend measurements of the neutron-rich nuclei into the mostly unexplored region along the r-process path. This will allow precise mass measurements (∼ 10 keV/c2) of more than a hundred very neutron-rich isotopes that have not previously been measured
Tensor interaction limit derived from the α-β-ν̄ correlation in trapped Li8 ions
A measurement of the α-β-ν̄ angular correlation in the Gamow-Teller decay Li8→Be*8+ν̄+β, Be*8→ α+α has been performed using ions confined in a linear Paul trap surrounded by silicon detectors. The energy difference spectrum of the α particles emitted along and opposite the direction of the β particle is consistent with the standard model prediction and places a limit of 3.1% (95.5% confidence level) on any tensor contribution to the decay. From this result, the amplitude of any tensor component CT relative to that of the dominant axial-vector component CA of the electroweak interaction is limited to |CT/CA|\u3c0.18 (95.5% confidence level). This experimental approach is facilitated by several favorable features of the Li8 β decay and has different systematic effects than the previous β-ν̄ correlation results for a pure Gamow-Teller transition obtained from studying He6 β decay. © 2013 American Physical Society
β-delayed neutron spectroscopy using trapped radioactive ions
A novel technique for β-delayed neutron spectroscopy has been demonstrated using trapped ions. The neutron-energy spectrum is reconstructed by measuring the time of flight of the nuclear recoil following neutron emission, thereby avoiding all the challenges associated with neutron detection, such as backgrounds from scattered neutrons and γ rays and complicated detector-response functions. I+137 ions delivered from a Cf252 source were confined in a linear Paul trap surrounded by radiation detectors, and the β-delayed neutron-energy spectrum and branching ratio were determined by detecting the β- and recoil ions in coincidence. Systematic effects were explored by determining the branching ratio three ways. Improvements to achieve higher detection efficiency, better energy resolution, and a lower neutron-energy threshold are proposed. © 2013 American Physical Society
Identical transitions in the strongly deformed Sr-99 and Sr-100
The decay of the very neutron-rich nucleus Rb-100 has been studied by
gamma-spectroscopy of on-line mass-separated samples. Schemes for beta-decay to
Sr-100 and beta-n-decay to Sr-99 are presented. New sets of transitions in
Sr-99 and Sr-100 with identical energies are observed. All identical bands so
far observed in neutron-rich Sr isotopes obey a simple energy rule valid for
even-even, odd-even and odd-odd bands.Comment: 31 pages, 7 figures, Phys. Rev. C, in prin
The use of cosmic-ray muons in the energy calibration of the Beta-decay Paul Trap silicon-detector array
This article presents an approach to calibrate the energy response of double-sided silicon strip detectors (DSSDs) for low-energy nuclear-science experiments by utilizing cosmic-ray muons. For the 1-mm-thick detectors used with the Beta-decay Paul Trap, the minimum-ionizing peak from these muons provides a stable and time-independent in situ calibration point at around 300 keV, which supplements the calibration data obtained above 3 MeV from α sources. The muon-data calibration is achieved by comparing experimental spectra with detailed Monte Carlo simulations performed using GEANT4 and CRY codes. This additional information constrains the calibration at lower energies, resulting in improvements in quality and accuracy
Limit on Tensor Currents from Li 8 β Decay
In the standard model, the weak interaction is formulated with a purely vector-axial-vector (V-A) structure. Without restriction on the chirality of the neutrino, the most general limits on tensor currents from nuclear β decay are dominated by a single measurement of the β-ν¯ correlation in He6 β decay dating back over a half century. In the present work, the β-ν¯-α correlation in the β decay of Li8 and subsequent α-particle breakup of the Be8∗ daughter was measured. The results are consistent with a purely V-A interaction and in the case of couplings to right-handed neutrinos (CT=-CT′) limits the tensor fraction to |CT/CA|2\u3c0.011 (95.5% C.L.). The measurement confirms the He6 result using a different nuclear system and employing modern ion-trapping techniques subject to different systematic uncertainties
Rethinking Serious Games Design in the Age of COVID-19: Setting the Focus on Wicked Problems
We live in a complex world, in which our existence is defined by forces that we cannot fully comprehend, predict, nor control. This is the world of wicked problems, of which the situation triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic is a notable example. Wicked problems are complex scenarios defined by the interplay of multiple environmental, social and economic factors. They are everchanging, and largely unpredictable and uncontrollable. As a consequence, wicked problems cannot be definitively solved through traditional problem-solving approaches. Instead, they should be iteratively managed, recognizing and valuing our connectedness with each other and the environment, and engaging in joint thinking and action to identify and pursue the common good. Serious games can be key to foster wicked problem management abilities. To this end, they should engage players in collective activities set in contexts simulating real-world wicked problem scenarios. These should require the continuous interpretation of changing circumstances to identify and pursue shared goals, promoting the development of knowledge, attitudes and skill sets relevant to tackle real-world situations. In this paper we outline the nature, implications and challenges of wicked problems, highlighting why games should be leveraged to foster wicked problem management abilities. Then, we propose a theory-based framework to support the design of games for this purpose
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