The spin-dependent nd scattering length - a proposed high-accuracy measurement

The understanding of few-nucleon systems at low energies is essential, e.g. for accurate predictions of element abundances in big-bang and stellar fusion. Novel effective field theories, taking only nucleons, or nucleons and pions as explicit degrees of freedom, provide a systematic approach, permitting an estimate of theoretical uncertainties. Basic constants parameterising the short range physics are derived from only a handful of experimental values. The doublet neutron scattering length a_2 of the deuteron is particularly sensitive to a three-nucleon contact interaction, but experimentally known with only 6% accuracy. It can be deduced from the two experimentally accessible parameters of the nd scattering length. We plan to measure the poorly known "incoherent" nd scattering length a_{i,d} with 10^{-3} accuracy, using a Ramsey apparatus for pseudomagnetic precession with a cold polarised neutron beam at PSI. A polarised target containing both deuterons and protons will permit a measurement relative to the incoherent np scattering length, which is know experimentally with an accuracy of 2.4\times 10^{-4}.Comment: 5 pages LaTeX2e, 1 .eps figure. To be published in Nucl. Inst. Methods A as part of the Proceedings of the 9th International Workshop on Polarized Solid Targets and Techniques in Bad Honnef (Germany), 27th - 29th October 200

Precision neutron interferometric measurement of the nd coherent neutron scattering length and consequences for models of three-nucleon forces

We have performed the first high precision measurement of the coherent neutron scattering length of deuterium in a pure sample using neutron interferometry. We find b_nd = (6.665 +/- 0.004) fm in agreement with the world average of previous measurements using different techniques, b_nd = (6.6730 +/- 0.0045) fm. We compare the new world average for the nd coherent scattering length b_nd = (6.669 +/- 0.003) fm to calculations of the doublet and quartet scattering lengths from several modern nucleon-nucleon potential models with three-nucleon force (3NF) additions and show that almost all theories are in serious disagreement with experiment. This comparison is a more stringent test of the models than past comparisons with the less precisely-determined nuclear doublet scattering length of a_nd = (0.65 +/- 0.04) fm.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Total and Parity-Projected Level Densities of Iron-Region Nuclei in the Auxiliary Fields Monte Carlo Shell Model

We use the auxiliary-fields Monte Carlo method for the shell model in the complete $(pf+0g_{9/2})$-shell to calculate level densities. We introduce parity projection techniques which enable us to calculate the parity dependence of the level density. Results are presented for $^{56}$Fe, where the calculated total level density is found to be in remarkable agreement with the experimental level density. The parity-projected densities are well described by a backshifted Bethe formula, but with significant dependence of the single-particle level-density and backshift parameters on parity. We compare our exact results with those of the thermal Hartree-Fock approximation.Comment: 14 pages, 3 Postscript figures included, RevTe

Evaluation of the mean intensity of the P-odd mixing of nuclear compound states

A temperature version of the shell-optical-model approach for describing the low-energy compound-to-compound transitions induced by external single-particle fields is given. The approach is applied to evaluate the mean intensity of the P-odd mixing of nuclear compound states. Unified description for the mixing and electromagnetic transitions allows one to evaluate the mean intensity without the use of free parameters. The valence-mechanism contribution to the mentioned intensity is also evaluated. Calculation results are compared with the data deduced from cross sections of relevant neutron-induced reactions.Comment: LaTeX, 10 page

Role of Fragment Higher Static Deformations in the Cold Binary Fission of 252^{252}Cf

We study the binary cold fission of $^{252}$Cf in the frame of a cluster model where the fragments are born to their respective ground states and interact via a double-folded potential with deformation effects taken into account up to multipolarity $\lambda=4$. The preformation factors were neglected. In the case when the fragments are assumed to be spherical or with ground state quadrupole deformation, the $Q$-value principle dictates the occurence of a narrow region around the double magic $^{132}$Sn, like in the case of cluster radioactivity. When the hexadecupole deformation is turned on, an entire mass-region of cold fission in the range 138 - 156 for the heavy fragment arise, in agreement with the experimental observations. This fact suggests that in the above mentioned mass-region, contrary to the usual cluster radioactivity where the daughter nucleus is always a neutron/proton (or both) closed shell or nearly closed shell spherical nucleus, the clusterization mechanism seems to be strongly influenced by the hexadecupole deformations rather than the $Q$-value.Comment: 10 pages, 12 figure

Partial level density of the n-quasiparticle excitations in the nuclei of the 39< A <201 region

Level density and radiative strength functions are obtained from the analysis of two-step cascades intensities following the thermal neutrons capture. The data on level density are approximated by the sum of the partial level densities corresponding to n quasiparticles excitation. The most probable values of the collective enhancement factor of the level density are found together with the thresholds of the next Cooper nucleons pair breaking. These data allow one to calculate the level density of practically any nucleus in given spin window in the framework of model concepts, taking into account all known nuclear excitation types. The presence of an approximation results discrepancy with theoretical statements specifies the necessity of rather essentially developing the level density models. It also indicates the possibilities to obtain the essentially new information on nucleon correlation functions of the excited nucleus from the experiment.Comment: 29 pages, 8 figures, 2 table

Parity Dependence of Nuclear Level Densities

A simple formula for the ratio of the number of odd- and even-parity states as a function of temperature is derived. This formula is used to calculate the ratio of level densities of opposite parities as a function of excitation energy. We test the formula with quantum Monte Carlo shell model calculations in the $(pf+g_{9/2})$-shell. The formula describes well the transition from low excitation energies where a single parity dominates to high excitations where the two densities are equal.Comment: 14 pages, 4 eps figures included, RevTe

Parity-violating neutron spin rotation in hydrogen and deuterium

We calculate the (parity-violating) spin rotation angle of a polarized neutron beam through hydrogen and deuterium targets, using pionless effective field theory up to next-to-leading order. Our result is part of a program to obtain the five leading independent low-energy parameters that characterize hadronic parity-violation from few-body observables in one systematic and consistent framework. The two spin-rotation angles provide independent constraints on these parameters. Using naive dimensional analysis to estimate the typical size of the couplings, we expect the signal for standard target densities to be 10^-7 to 10^-6 rad/m for both hydrogen and deuterium targets. We find no indication that the nd observable is enhanced compared to the np one. All results are properly renormalized. An estimate of the numerical and systematic uncertainties of our calculations indicates excellent convergence. An appendix contains the relevant partial-wave projectors of the three-nucleon system.Comment: 44 pages, 17 figures; minor corrections; to be published in EPJ

Correlation Between the Deuteron Characteristics and the Low-energy Triplet np Scattering Parameters

The correlation relationship between the deuteron asymptotic normalization constant, $A_{S}$, and the triplet np scattering length, $a_{t}$, is investigated. It is found that 99.7% of the asymptotic constant $A_{S}$ is determined by the scattering length $a_{t}$. It is shown that the linear correlation relationship between the quantities $A_{S}^{-2}$ and $1/a_{t}$ provides a good test of correctness of various models of nucleon-nucleon interaction. It is revealed that, for the normalization constant $A_{S}$ and for the root-mean-square deuteron radius $r_{d}$, the results obtained with the experimental value recommended at present for the triplet scattering length $a_{t}$ are exaggerated with respect to their experimental counterparts. By using the latest experimental phase shifts of Arndt et al., we obtain, for the low-energy scattering parameters ($a_{t}$, $r_{t}$, $P_{t}$) and for the deuteron characteristics ($A_{S}$, $r_{d}$), results that comply well with experimental data.Comment: 19 pages, 1 figure, To be published in Physics of Atomic Nucle

Combinatorial nuclear level density by a Monte Carlo method

We present a new combinatorial method for the calculation of the nuclear level density. It is based on a Monte Carlo technique, in order to avoid a direct counting procedure which is generally impracticable for high-A nuclei. The Monte Carlo simulation, making use of the Metropolis sampling scheme, allows a computationally fast estimate of the level density for many fermion systems in large shell model spaces. We emphasize the advantages of this Monte Carlo approach, particularly concerning the prediction of the spin and parity distributions of the excited states, and compare our results with those derived from a traditional combinatorial or a statistical method. Such a Monte Carlo technique seems very promising to determine accurate level densities in a large energy range for nuclear reaction calculations.Comment: 30 pages, LaTex, 7 figures (6 Postscript figures included). Fig. 6 upon request to the autho