Selective laser ionization of N ≥\geq 82 indium isotopes: the new r-process nuclide 135^{135}In

Production yields and beta-decay half-lives of very neutron-rich indium isotopes were determined at CERN/ISOLDE using isobaric selectivity of a resonance-ionization laser ion-source. Beta-delayed neutron multiscaling measurements have yielded improved half-lives for 206(6)~ms $^{132}$In, 165(3)~ms $^{133}$In and 141(5)~ms $^{134}$In. With 92(10)~ms $^{135}$In, a new r-process nuclide has been identified which acts as an important `waiting-point' in the In isotopic chain for neutron densities in the range n$_n \simeq 10^{24}$--10$^{26}$ n/cm$^3$, where the r-matter flow has already passed the ${\rm A} \simeq 130$ abundance-peak region

Production of neutron-rich nuclei in fragmentation reactions of 132Sn projectiles at relativistic energies

The fragmentation of neutron-rich 132Sn nuclei produced in the fission of 238U projectiles at 950 MeV/u has been investigated at the FRagment Separator (FRS) at GSI. This work represents the first investigation of fragmentation of medium-mass radioactive projectiles with a large neutron excess. The measured production cross sections of the residual nuclei are relevant for the possible use of a two-stage reaction scheme (fission+fragmentation) for the production of extremely neutron-rich medium-mass nuclei in future rare-ion-beam facilities. Moreover, the new data will provide a better understanding of the "memory" effect in fragmentation reactions.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Level structure of Si26 and its implications for the astrophysical reaction rate of Al25(p,γ)Si26

A study of the level structure of Si26 using in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy is presented. A full level scheme is derived incorporating all states lying below the proton threshold energy. The results are in good agreement with shell model predictions and one-to-one correspondence is found with states in the mirror nucleus Mg26. Additionally, a γ-decay branch is observed from a state at 5677.0(17) keV, which is assigned to a 1+ resonance important in the astrophysical reaction Al25(p,γ)Si26. The newly derived resonance energy, Er=159.2(35) keV, has the effect of decreasing the reaction rate at the novae ignition temperature of 0.1 GK by a factor of 2 when compared with the previous most precise measurement of this state

Level structure of 22Mg: Implications for the22Na(p, γ)22Mg astrophysical reaction rate and for the22Mg mass

The level structure of 22Mg has been studied with high-sensitivity γ-ray spectroscopy techniques. A complete level scheme is derived incorporating all subthreshold states and all levels in the energy region relevant for novae burning. The excitation energy of the most important astrophysical resonance is measured with improved accuracy and found to differ from previous values. Combining the present result with a recent resonance energy measurement of this state leads to a derived 22Mg mass excess of -400.5(13) keV

Pairing in nuclear systems: from neutron stars to finite nuclei

We discuss several pairing-related phenomena in nuclear systems, ranging from superfluidity in neutron stars to the gradual breaking of pairs in finite nuclei. We focus on the links between many-body pairing as it evolves from the underlying nucleon-nucleon interaction and the eventual experimental and theoretical manifestations of superfluidity in infinite nuclear matter and of pairing in finite nuclei. We analyse the nature of pair correlations in nuclei and their potential impact on nuclear structure experiments. We also describe recent experimental evidence that points to a relation between pairing and phase transitions (or transformations) in finite nuclear systems. Finally, we discuss recent investigations of ground-state properties of random two-body interactions where pairing plays little role although the interactions yield interesting nuclear properties such as 0+ ground states in even-even nuclei.Comment: 74 pages, 33 figs, uses revtex4. Submitted to Reviews of Modern Physic

First identification of excited states in Ba 117 using the recoil- β -delayed proton tagging technique

Excited states have been observed for the first time in the neutron-deficient nucleus Ba117 using the recoil-decay tagging technique following the heavy-ion fusion-evaporation reaction Zn64(Ni58, 2p3n)Ba117. Prompt γ rays have been assigned to Ba117 through correlations with β-delayed protons following the decay of A=117 recoils. Through the analysis of the γ-γ coincidence relationships, a high-spin level scheme consisting of two bands has been established in Ba117. Based on the systematics of the level spacings in the neighboring barium isotopes, the two bands are proposed to have νh11/2[532]5/2- and νd5/2[413]5/2+ configurations, respectively. The observed band-crossing properties are interpreted in the framework of cranked shell model

Rotational bands in the proton emitter 141Ho

The rotational bands feeding the ground state and the isomeric state in the proton emitter 141Ho are presented using the recoil-decay tagging method. A quadrupole deformation of β2 = 0.25(4) was deduced for the ground state band. The observed band crossings and signature splittings agreed with the configurational assignments for the ground state and the isomer analyzed from the proton-decay rates