Anomalies in cosmic rays: New particles versus charm?

For a long time two anomalies are observed in cosmic rays at energies E approx. = 100 TeV: (1) the generation of long-flying cascades in the hadron calorimeter (the so-called Tien-Shan effect) and; (2) the enhancement of direct muon yield as compared with the accelerator energy region. The aim is to discuss the possibility that both anomalies have common origins arising from production and decays of the same particles. the main conclusions are the following: (1) direct muons cannot be generated by any new particles with mass exceeding 10+20 GeV; and (2) if both effects are originated from the charmed hadrons, then the needed charm hadroproduction cross section is unexpectedly large as compared with the quark-gluon model predictions

Search for the Production of Element 112 in the 48Ca + 238U Reaction

We have searched for the production of element 112 in the reaction of 231 MeV 48Ca with 238U. We have not observed any events with a "one event" upper limit cross section of 1.6 pb for EVR-fission events and 1.8 pb for EVR-alpha events.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Possibility of synthesizing doubly closed superheavy nucleus

The possibility of synthesizing a doubly magic superheavy nucleus, $^{298}114_{184}$, is investigated on the basis of fluctuation-dissipation dynamics. In order to synthesize this nucleus, we must generate more neutron-rich compound nuclei because of the neutron emissions from excited compound nuclei. The compound nucleus $^{304}114$ has two advantages to achieving a high survival probability. First, because of small neutron separation energy and rapid cooling, the shell correction energy recovers quickly. Secondly, owing to neutron emissions, the neutron number of the nucleus approaches that of the double closed shell and the nucleus obtains a large fission barrier. Because of these two effects, the survival probability of $^{304}114$ does not decrease until the excitation energy $E^{*}= 50$ MeV. These properties lead to a rather high evaporation reside cross section.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Two-Step Model of Fusion for Synthesis of Superheavy Elements

A new model is proposed for fusion mechanisms of massive nuclear systems where so-called fusion hindrance exists. The model describes two-body collision processes in an approaching phase and shape evolutions of an amalgamated system into the compound nucleus formation. It is applied to $^{48}$Ca-induced reactions and is found to reproduce the experimental fusion cross sections extremely well, without any free parameter. Combined with the statistical decay theory, residue cross sections for the superheavy elements can be readily calculated. Examples are given.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Prospects for the discovery of the next new element: Influence of projectiles with Z > 20

The possibility of forming new superheavy elements with projectiles having Z > 20 is discussed. Current research has focused on the fusion of 48Ca with actinides targets, but these reactions cannot be used for new element discoveries in the future due to a lack of available target material. The influence on reaction cross sections of projectiles with Z > 20 have been studied in so-called analog reactions, which utilize lanthanide targets carefully chosen to create compound nuclei with energetics similar to those found in superheavy element production. The reactions 48Ca, 45Sc, 50Ti, 54Cr + 159Tb, 162Dy have been studied at the Cyclotron Institute at Texas A&M University using the Momentum Achromat Recoil Spectrometer. The results of these experimental studies are discussed in terms of the influence of collective enhancements to level density for compound nuclei near closed shells, and the implications for the production of superheavy elements. We have observed no evidence to contradict theoretical predictions that the maximum cross section for the 249Cf(50Ti, 4n)295120 and 248Cm(54Cr, 4n)298120 reactions should be in the range of 10-100 fb.Comment: An invited talk given by Charles M. Folden III at the 11th International Conference on Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions (NN2012), San Antonio, Texas, USA, May 27-June 1, 2012. Also contains information presented by Dmitriy A. Mayorov and Tyler A. Werke in separate contributions to the conference. This contribution will appear in the NN2012 Proceedings in Journal of Physics: Conference Series (JPCS

The effect of atomic electrons on nuclear fission

We calculate correction to the nuclear fission barrier produced by the atomic electrons. The result presented in analytical form is convenient to use in future nuclear calculations. The atomic electrons have a small stabilizing effect on nuclei, increasing lifetime in nuclear fission channel. This effect gives a new instrument to study the fission process.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Fusion hindrance and roles of shell effects in superheavy mass region

We present the first attempt of systematically investigating the effects of shell correction energy for a dynamical process, which includes fusion, fusion-fission and quasi-fission processes. In the superheavy mass region, for the fusion process, shell correction energy plays a very important role and enhances the fusion probability when the colliding partner has a strong shell structure. By analyzing the trajectory in three-dimensional coordinate space with the Langevin equation, we reveal the mechanism of the enhancement of the fusion probability caused by `cold fusion valleys'. The temperature dependence of shell correction energy is considered.Comment: 31 pages, 23 figures, Accepted for publication in Nuclear Physics

Identification of new transitions and mass assignments of levels in 143−153^{143-153}Pr

The previously reported levels assigned to 151,152,153Pr have recently been called into question regarding their mass assignment. The above questioned level assignments are clarified by measuring g-transitions tagged with A and Z in an in-beam experiment in addition to the measurements from 252Cf spontaneous fission (SF) and establish new spectroscopic information from $N=84$ to $N=94$ in the Pr isotopic chain. The isotopic chain 143-153Pr has been studied from the spontaneous fission of 252Cf by using Gammasphere and also from the measurement of the prompt g-rays in coincidence with isotopically-identified fission fragments using VAMOS++ and EXOGAM at GANIL. The latter were produced using 238U beams on a 9Be target at energies around the Coulomb barrier. The g-g-g-g data from 252Cf (SF) and those from the GANIL in-beam A- and Z-gated spectra were combined to unambiguously assign the various transitions and levels in 151,152,153Pr and other isotopes. New transitions and bands in 145,147,148,149,150Pr were identified by using g-g-g and g-g-g-g coincidences and A and Z gated g-g spectra. The transitions and levels previously assigned to 151,153Pr have been confirmed by the (A,Z) gated spectra. The transitions previously assigned to 152Pr are now assigned to 151Pr on the basis of the (A,Z) gated spectra. Two new bands with 20 new transitions in 152Pr and one new band with 7 new transitions in 153Pr are identified from the g-g-g-g coincidence spectra and the (A,Z) gated spectrum. In addition, new g-rays are also reported in 143-146Pr. New levels of 145,147-153Pr have been established, reliable mass assignments of the levels in 151,152,153Pr have been reported and new transitions have been identified in 143-146Pr showing the new avenues that are opened by combining the two experimental approaches.Comment: Accepted in Phys. Rev.

Dynamic study on fusion reactions for 40,48^{40,48}Ca+90,96^{90,96}Zr around Coulomb barrier

By using the updated improved Quantum Molecular Dynamics model in which a surface-symmetry potential term has been introduced for the first time, the excitation functions for fusion reactions of $^{40,48}$Ca+$^{90,96}$Zr at energies around the Coulomb barrier have been studied. The experimental data of the fusion cross sections for $^{40}$Ca+$^{90,96}$Zr have been reproduced remarkably well without introducing any new parameters. The fusion cross sections for the neutron-rich fusion reactions of $^{48}$Ca+$^{90,96}$Zr around the Coulomb barrier are predicted to be enhanced compared with a non-neutron-rich fusion reaction. In order to clarify the mechanism of the enhancement of the fusion cross sections for neutron-rich nuclear fusions, we pay a great attention to study the dynamic lowering of the Coulomb barrier during a neck formation. The isospin effect on the barrier lowering is investigated. It is interesting that the effect of the projectile and target nuclear structure on fusion dynamics can be revealed to a certain extent in our approach. The time evolution of the N/Z ratio at the neck region has been firstly illustrated. A large enhancement of the N/Z ratio at neck region for neutron-rich nuclear fusion reactions is found.Comment: 21 pages, 7 figures,3 table

The structure of superheavy elements newly discovered in the reaction of 86^{86}Kr with 208^{208}Pb

The structure of superheavy elements newly discovered in the $^{208}$Pb($^{86}$Kr,n) reaction at Berkeley is systematically studied in the Relativistic Mean Field (RMF) approach. It is shown that various usually employed RMF forces, which give fair description of normal stable nuclei, give quite different predictions for superheavy elements. Among the effective forces we tested, TM1 is found to be the good candidate to describe superheavy elements. The binding energies of the $^{293}$118 nucleus and its $\alpha-$decay daughter nuclei obtained using TM1 agree with those of FRDM within 2 MeV. Similar conclusion that TM1 is the good interaction is also drawn from the calculated binding energies for Pb isotopes with the Relativistic Continuum Hartree Bogoliubov (RCHB) theory. Using the pairing gaps obtained from RCHB, RMF calculations with pairing and deformation are carried out for the structure of superheavy elements. The binding energy, shape, single particle levels, and the Q values of the $\alpha-$decay $Q_{\alpha}$ are discussed, and it is shown that both pairing correlation and deformation are essential to properly understand the structure of superheavy elements. A good agreement is obtained with experimental data on $Q_{\alpha}$. %Especially, the atomic number %dependence of $Q_{\alpha}$ %seems to match with the experimental observationComment: 19 pages, 5 figure