On the graphical extraction of multipole mixing ratios of nuclear transitions

We propose a novel graphical method for determining the mixing ratios {\delta} and their associated uncertainties for mixed nuclear transitions. It incorporates the uncertainties both on both the measured and the theoretical conversion coefficients. The accuracy of the method has been studied by deriving the corresponding probability density function. The domains of applicability of the method are carefully defined

Internal conversion and summing effects in heavy-nuclei spectroscopy

Expérience GANIL, spectrometre LISEInternal conversion of low-energy nuclear transitions occurs with a high probability in heavy nuclei. After the emission of the conversion electron, a cascade of X-rays, Auger or Coster–Krönig electrons takes place. In $\alpha$-decay experiments in which the nuclei of interest are implanted into a silicon detector, these atomic processes contribute to the detected energy. To understand the distortions of $\alpha$-particle energy spectra, knowledge of the various atomic yields is required. Using state-of-the-art calculations, new atomic yields are computed in $_99$Es and compared to those available in the literature. Detailed simulations of the $^{251}_{101}$Md $\alpha$ decay are performed and compared to experimental data. Possible ways to discriminate between the available atomic yields are also discussed

How large is the spreading width of a superdeformed band?

Recent models of the decay out of superdeformed bands can broadly be divided into two categories. One approach is based on the similarity between the tunneling process involved in the decay and that involved in the fusion of heavy ions, and builds on the formalism of nuclear reaction theory. The other arises from an analogy between the superdeformed decay and transport between coupled quantum dots. These models suggest conflicting values for the spreading width of the decaying superdeformed states. In this paper, the decay of superdeformed bands in the five even-even nuclei in which the SD excitation energies have been determined experimentally is considered in the framework of both approaches, and the significance of the difference in the resulting spreading widths is considered. The results of the two models are also compared to tunneling widths estimated from previous barrier height predictions and a parabolic approximation to the barrier shape

AGATA: Performance of γ\gamma-ray tracking and associated algorithms

AGATA is a modern $\gamma$-ray spectrometer for in-beam nuclear structure studies, based on $\gamma$-ray tracking. Since more than a decade, it has been operated performing experimental physics campaigns in different international laboratories (LNL, GSI, GANIL). This paper reviews the obtained results concerning the performances of $\gamma$-ray tracking in AGATA and associated algorithms. We discuss $\gamma$-ray tracking and algorithms developed for AGATA. Then, we present performance results in terms of efficiency and peak-to-total for AGATA. The importance of the high effective angular resolution of $\gamma$-ray tracking arrays is emphasised, e.g. with respect to Doppler correction. Finally, we briefly touch upon the subject of $\gamma$-ray imaging and its connection to $\gamma$-ray tracking

High-contrast Ultrabroadband Frontend Source for High Intensity Few-Cycle Lasers

An ultrabroadband seed source for high-power, high-contrast OPCPA systems at 800 nm is presented. The source is based on post compression in a hollow-core fiber followed by crossed polarized waves (XPW) filtering and is capable of delivering 80$\mu$J, 5fs, CEP-stable (0.3rad RMS) pulses with excellent spectral and temporal qualit

Nonlinear optical transformation of the polarization state of circularly polarized light with holographic-cut cubic crystals

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Spatial-domain interferometer for measuring plasma mirror expansion

International audienceWe present a practical spatial-domain interferometer for characterizing the electronic density gradient of laser- induced plasma mirrors with sub-30-femtosecond temporal resolution. Time-resolved spatial imaging of an intensity- shaped pulse reflecting off an expanding plasma mirror in- duced by a time-delayed pre-pulse allows us to measure characteristic plasma gradients of 10–100 nm with an ex- pansion velocity of 10.8 nm/ps. Spatial-domain interferom- etry (SDI) can be generalized to the ultrafast imaging of nm to μm size laser-induced phenomena at surfaces

Brunel-Dominated Proton Acceleration with a Few-Cycle Laser Pulse

International audienceExperimental measurements of backward accelerated protons are presented. The beam is produced when an ultrashort (5 fs) laser pulse, delivered by a kHz laser system, with a high temporal contrast (10 8), interacts with a thick solid target. Under these conditions, proton cutoff energy dependence with laser parameters, such as pulse energy, polarization (from p to s), and pulse duration (from 5 to 500 fs), is studied. Theoretical model and two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, in good agreement with a large set of experimental results, indicate that proton acceleration is directly driven by Brunel electrons, in contrast to conventional target normal sheath acceleration that relies on electron thermal pressure

Carrier-envelope phase stability of hollow-fibers used for high-energy, few-cycle pulse generation

We investigated the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) stability of a hollow-fiber setup used for high-energy, few-cycle pulse generation. Saturation of the output pulse energy is observed at 0.6 mJ for a 260 um inner-diameter, 1 m long fiber, statically filled with neon, with the pressure adjusted to achieve an output spectrum capable of supporting sub-4fs pulses. The maximum output pulse energy can be increased to 0.8mJ by using either differential pumping, or circularly polarized input pulses. We observe the onset of an ionization-induced CEP instability, which does not increase beyond an input pulse energy of 1.25 mJ due to losses in the fiber caused by ionization. There is no significant difference in the CEP stability with differential pumping compared to static-fill, demonstrating that gas flow in differentially pumped fibers does not degrade the CEP stabilization.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Co-existing structures in 105Ru

New positive-parity states, having a band-like structure, were observed in 105Ru. The nucleus was produced in induced fission reaction and the prompt gamma-rays, emitted from the fragments, were detected by the EUROBALL III multi-detector array. The partial scheme of excited 105Ru levels is analyzed within the Triaxial-Rotor-plus-Particle approach