Evolution of the γ\gamma-ray strength function in neodymium isotopes

The experimental gamma-ray strength functions (gamma-SFs) of 142,144-151Nd have been studied for gamma-ray energies up to the neutron separation energy. The results represent a unique set of gamma-SFs for an isotopic chain with increasing nuclear deformation. The data reveal how the low-energy enhancement, the scissors mode and the pygmy dipole resonance evolve with nuclear deformation and mass number. The data indicate that the mechanisms behind the low-energy enhancement and the scissors mode are decoupled from each other.Comment: 14 pages and 10 figure

New experimental constraint on the 185^{185}W(n,γn,\gamma)186^{186}W cross section

In this work, we present new data on the $^{182,183,184}$W($\gamma,n$) cross sections, utilizing a quasi-monochromatic photon beam produced at the NewSUBARU synchrotron radiation facility. Further, we have extracted the nuclear level density and $\gamma$-ray strength function of $^{186}$W from data on the $^{186}$W($\alpha,\alpha^\prime\gamma$)$^{186}$W reaction measured at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory. Combining previous measurements on the $^{186}$W($\gamma,n$) cross section with our new $^{182,183,184}$W($\gamma,n$) and ($\alpha,\alpha^\prime\gamma$)$^{186}$W data sets, we have deduced the $^{186}$W $\gamma$-ray strength function in the range of $1 < E_\gamma < 6$ MeV and $7 < E_\gamma < 14$ MeV. Our data are used to extract the level density and $\gamma$-ray strength functions needed as input to the nuclear-reaction code \textsf{TALYS}, providing an indirect, experimental constraint for the $^{185}$W($n,\gamma$)$^{186}$W cross section and reaction rate. Compared to the recommended Maxwellian-averaged cross section (MACS) in the KADoNiS-1.0 data base, our results are on average lower for the relevant energy range $k_B T \in [5,100]$ keV, and we provide a smaller uncertainty for the MACS. The theoretical values of Bao \textit{et al.} and the cross section experimentally constrained on photoneutron data of Sonnabend \textit{et al.} are significantly higher than our result. The lower value by Mohr \textit{et al.} is in very good agreement with our deduced MACS. Our new results could have implications for the $s$-process and in particular the predicted $s$-process production of $^{186,187}$Os nuclei.Comment: 17 pages, 15 figures; to be submitted to Phys. Rev.

Verification of detailed balance for γ absorption and emission in Dy isotopes

The photoneutron cross sections of 162,163Dy have been measured for the first time in an energy region from the neutron threshold (Sn) up to ≈13MeV. The (γ,n) reaction was induced with quasimonochromatic laser Compton-scattered γ rays, produced at the NewSUBARU laboratory. The corresponding γ -ray strength functions (γ SF) have been calculated from the photoneutron cross sections. The data are compared to reanalyzed γSFs of 160–164Dy, which are measured below Sn. The excellent agreement with the photoneutron data at Sn confirms the principle of detailed balance. Thus, a complete γ SF is established covering in total the energy regionof1 Eγ 13MeV.Thesemid-shellwell-deformeddysprosiumisotopesallshowscissorsresonances with very similar structures. We find that our data predict the same integrated scissors strength as (γ,γ′) data when integrated over the same energy range, which shows that the scissors mode very likely is consistent with the generalized Brink hypothesis. Finally, using the γSFs as input in the reaction code TALYS, we have deduced radiative neutron-capture cross sections and compared them to direct measurements. We find a very good agreement within the uncertainties, which gives further support to the experimentally determined γ SFs

Danish Climate Centre

Introduction and scientific background ............................................................................................ 3 2. Statistical analysis of T106 data (Task 1) ......................................................................................... 6 3. Baroclinic developments (Task 2) .................................................................................................... 8 4. Polar lows (Task 3) ........................................................................................................................... 9 5. Mediterranean systems (Task 4) ..................................................................................................... 10 6. Surge statistics based on 30 year T106 time slices: North-western European shelf seas (Task 5) ........................................................................................................................................... 12 7. Surge statistics based on 30 year T106 time slice

Experimental observation of the M1 scissors mode in 254^{254}No

International audienceWe present the first experimental evidence of the scissors mode in the superheavy nucleus 254No produced in the 208Pb(48Ca, ))254No reaction. The spectrum of γ rays emitted by the excited 254No nuclei shows an enhanced γ-ray yield for transition energies of ≈2.5 MeV. By measuring the linear polarization properties of the emitted γ rays, we confirm that the transitions in the enhancement region are predominantly of magnetic-dipole character, characteristic for the scissors mode. To further characterize the enhanced γ-ray yield, simulations of the electromagnetic decay of 254No were performed. The observed enhancement is reproduced by including an M1 component in the γ strength function with total strength . This is in good agreement with the integrated M1 strength from sum-rule estimates and new calculations within the quasi-particle random-phase approximation presented here. Our results provide a stringent test of phenomenological formulae for the scissors mode currently used in stellar nucleosynthesis calculations. We find that those formulae are not satisfactory, and we recommend using sum-rule estimates assuming a rigid-body moment of inertia instead for describing the scissors mode in superheavy nuclei. (Elsevier B.V.