Spectroscopy along Flerovium Decay Chains: Discovery of ^{280}Ds and an Excited State in ^{282}Cn

A nuclear spectroscopy experiment was conducted to study α-decay chains stemming from isotopes of flerovium (element Z=114). An upgraded TASISpec decay station was placed behind the gas-filled separator TASCA at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt, Germany. The fusion-evaporation reactions ^{48}Ca+^{242}Pu and ^{48}Ca+^{244}Pu provided a total of 32 flerovium-candidate decay chains, of which two and eleven were firmly assigned to ^{286}Fl and ^{288}Fl, respectively. A prompt coincidence between a 9.60(1)-MeV α particle event and a 0.36(1)-MeV conversion electron marked the first observation of an excited state in an even-even isotope of the heaviest man-made elements, namely ^{282}Cn. Spectroscopy of ^{288}Fl decay chains fixed Q_{α}=10.06(1)  MeV. In one case, a Q_{α}=9.46(1)-MeV decay from ^{284}Cn into ^{280}Ds was observed, with ^{280}Ds fissioning after only 518  μs. The impact of these findings, aggregated with existing data on decay chains of ^{286,288}Fl, on the size of an anticipated shell gap at proton number Z=114 is discussed in light of predictions from two beyond-mean-field calculations, which take into account triaxial deformation.

Search for Electron-Capture Delayed Fission in the New Isotope ^{244}Md

The electron-capture decay followed by a prompt fission process was searched for in the hitherto unknown most neutron-deficient Md isotope with mass number 244. Alpha decay with α-particle energies of 8.73-8.86 MeV and with a half-life of 0.30_{-0.09}^{+0.19}  s was assigned to ^{244}Md. No fission event with a similar half-life potentially originating from spontaneous fissioning of the short-lived electron-capture decay daughter ^{244}Fm was observed, which results in an upper limit of 0.14 for the electron-capture branching of ^{244}Md. Two groups of fission events with half-lives of 0.9_{-0.3}^{+0.6}  ms and 5_{-2}^{+3}  ms were observed. The 0.9_{-0.3}^{+0.6}  ms activity was assigned to originate from the decay of ^{245}Md. The origin of eight fission events resulting in a half-life of 5_{-2}^{+3}  ms could not be unambiguously identified within the present data while the possible explanation has to invoke previously unseen physics cases.

Online chemical adsorption studies of Hg, Tl, and Pb on SiO2 and Au surfaces in preparation for chemical investigations on Cn, Nh, and Fl at TASCA

Online gas-solid adsorption studies with single-atom quantities of Hg, Tl, and Pb, the lighter homologs of the superheavy elements (SHE) copernicium (Cn, Z=112), nihonium (Nh, Z=113), and flerovium (Fl, Z=114), were carried out using short-lived radioisotopes. The interaction with Au and SiO2 surfaces was studied and the overall chemical yield was determined. Suitable radioisotopes were produced in fusion-evaporation reactions, isolated in the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA, and flushed rapidly to an adjacent setup of two gas chromatography detector arrays covered with SiO2 (first array) and Au (second array). While Tl and Pb adsorbed on the SiO2 surface, Hg interacts only weakly and reached the Au-covered array. Our results contribute to elucidating the influence of relativistic effects on chemical properties of the heaviest elements by providing experimental data on these lighter homologs.

New Short-Lived Isotope ^{221}U and the Mass Surface Near N=126

Two short-lived isotopes ^{221}U and ^{222}U were produced as evaporation residues in the fusion reaction ^{50}Ti+^{176}Yb at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA. An α decay with an energy of E_{α}=9.31(5)  MeV and half-life T_{1/2}=4.7(7)  μs was attributed to ^{222}U. The new isotope ^{221}U was identified in α-decay chains starting with E_{α}=9.71(5)  MeV and T_{1/2}=0.66(14)  μs leading to known daughters. Synthesis and detection of these unstable heavy nuclei and their descendants were achieved thanks to a fast data readout system. The evolution of the N=126 shell closure and its influence on the stability of uranium isotopes are discussed within the framework of α-decay reduced width.

Digital liquid-scintillation counting and effective pulse-shape discrimination with artificial neural networks

A typical problem in low-level liquid scintillation (LS) counting is the identification of α particles in the presence of a high background of β and γ particles. Especially the occurrence of β-β and β-γ pile-ups may prevent the unambiguous identification of an α signal by commonly used analog electronics. In this case, pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) and pile-up rejection (PUR) units show an insufficient performance. This problem was also observed in own earlier experiments on the chemical behaviour of transactinide elements using the liquid-liquid extraction system SISAK in combination with LS counting. α-particle signals from the decay of the transactinides could not be unambiguously assigned. However, the availability of instruments for the digital recording of LS pulses changes the situation and provides possibilities for new approaches in the treatment of LS pulse shapes. In a SISAK experiment performed at PSI, Villigen, a fast transient recorder, a PC card with oscilloscope characteristics and a sampling rate of 1 giga samples s−1 (1 ns per point), was used for the first time to record LS signals. It turned out, that the recorded signals were predominantly α, β-β and β-γ pile up, and fission events. This paper describes the subsequent development and use of artificial neural networks (ANN) based on the method of “back-propagation of errors” to automatically distinguish between different pulse shapes. Such networks can “learn” pulse shapes and classify hitherto unknown pulses correctly after a learning period. The results show that ANN in combination with fast digital recording of pulse shapes can be a powerful tool in LS spectrometry even at high background count rates.

Nuclear chemistry. Synthesis and detection of a seaborgium carbonyl complex

Experimental investigations of transactinoide elements provide benchmark results for chemical theory and probe the predictive power of trends in the periodic table. So far, in gas-phase chemical reactions, simple inorganic compounds with the transactinoide in its highest oxidation state have been synthesized. Single-atom production rates, short half-lives, and harsh experimental conditions limited the number of experimentally accessible compounds. We applied a gas-phase carbonylation technique previously tested on short-lived molybdenum (Mo) and tungsten (W) isotopes to the preparation of a carbonyl complex of seaborgium, the 106th element. The volatile seaborgium complex showed the same volatility and reactivity with a silicon dioxide surface as those of the hexacarbonyl complexes of the lighter homologs Mo and W. Comparison of the product's adsorption enthalpy with theoretical predictions and data for the lighter congeners supported a Sg(CO)6 formulation.

48Ca+249Bk fusion reaction leading to element Z = 117: long-lived α-decaying 270Db and discovery of 266Lr

The superheavy element with atomic number Z=117 was produced as an evaporation residue in the (48)Ca+(249)Bk fusion reaction at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA at GSI Darmstadt, Germany. The radioactive decay of evaporation residues and their α-decay products was studied using a detection setup that allowed measuring decays of single atomic nuclei with half-lives between sub-μs and a few days. Two decay chains comprising seven α decays and a spontaneous fission each were identified and are assigned to the isotope (294)117 and its decay products. A hitherto unknown α-decay branch in (270)Db (Z = 105) was observed, which populated the new isotope (266)Lr (Z = 103). The identification of the long-lived (T(1/2) = 1.0(-0.4)(+1.9) h) α-emitter (270)Db marks an important step towards the observation of even more long-lived nuclei of superheavy elements located on an "island of stability."

Chronological development of element concentrations in grapes during growth and ripeness and during fermentation of must determined by instrumental neutron-activation analyses

The chronological development of element concentrations during growth and ripeness of grapes described in the literature has only been concerned with the macro elements Mg, K, and Ca. Concentrations of trace elements in must are only described as a snapshot at the end of the ripeness. Therefore, the motivation for the present work was to accompany the growth and the ripening process of grapes successively by systematically determining element concentrations in grapes of Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon by neutron-activation analyses. While for a number of elements, the concentrations in the grapes increased as a function of grape development (e.g., Na, K, Rb, Al), other concentrations decreased (e.g., Mg, Ca, Mn). These decreases are not only to be attributed to a dilution by an increasing uptake of water during growth, but also by an active transport of the cations out of the berries. Furthermore, the interest focused on the influence of mineral substances on the process of fermentation and on the uptake of trace elements by the yeasts.

First observation of the unbound nucleus 15Ne

We report on the first observation of the unbound proton-rich nucleus 15Ne. Its ground state and first excited state were populated in two-neutron knockout reactions from a beam of 500 MeV/u 17Ne. The 15Ne ground state is found to be unbound by 2.522(66) MeV. The decay proceeds directly to 13O with simultaneous two-proton emission. No evidence for sequential decay via the energetically allowed 2- and 1- states in 14F is observed. The 15Ne ground state is shown to have a strong configuration with two protons in the (sd) shell around 13O with a 63(5)% (1s1/2)2 component.

Measurement of the dipole polarizability of the unstable neutron-rich nucleus 68Ni

The E1 strength distribution in 68Ni has been investigated using Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics at the R3B-LAND setup and by measuring the invariant mass in the one- and two-neutron decay channels. The giant dipole resonance and a low-lying peak (pygmy dipole resonance) have been observed at 17.1(2) and 9.55(17) MeV, respectively. The measured dipole polarizability is compared to relativistic random phase approximation calculations yielding a neutron-skin thickness of 0.17(2) fm. A method and analysis applicable to neutron-rich nuclei has been developed, allowing for a precise determination of neutron skins in nuclei as a function of neutron excess.

Spectroscopy of element 115 decay chains

A high-resolution α, x-ray, and γ-ray coincidence spectroscopy experiment was conducted at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung. Thirty correlated α-decay chains were detected following the fusion-evaporation reaction 48Ca + 243Am. The observations are consistent with previous assignments of similar decay chains to originate from element Z=115. For the first time, precise spectroscopy allows the derivation of excitation schemes of isotopes along the decay chains starting with elements Z>112. Comprehensive Monte Carlo simulations accompany the data analysis. Nuclear structure models provide a first level interpretation.

First successful ionization of Lr (Z = 103) by a surface-ionization technique

We have developed a surface ionization ion-source as part of the JAEA-ISOL (Isotope Separator On-Line) setup, which is coupled to a He/CdI2 gas-jet transport system to determine the first ionization potential of the heaviest actinide lawrencium (Lr, Z = 103). The new ion-source is an improved version of the previous source that provided good ionization efficiencies for lanthanides. An additional filament was newly installed to give better control over its operation. We report, here, on the development of the new gas-jet coupled surface ion-source and on the first successful ionization and mass separation of 27-s (256)Lr produced in the (249)Cf + (11)B reaction.

Dosimetric feasibility study for an extracorporeal BNCT application on liver metastases at the TRIGA Mainz

This study investigates the dosimetric feasibility of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) of explanted livers in the thermal column of the research reactor in Mainz. The Monte Carlo code MCNP5 is used to calculate the biologically weighted dose for different ratios of the (10)B-concentration in tumour to normal liver tissue. The simulation results show that dosimetric goals are only partially met. To guarantee effective BNCT treatment the organ has to be better shielded from all gamma radiation.

Fast determination of impurities in metallurgical grade silicon for photovoltaics by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Standard wafer solar cells are made of near-semiconductor quality silicon. This high quality material makes up a significant part of the total costs of a solar module. Therefore, new concepts with less expensive so called solar grade silicon directly based on physiochemically upgraded metallurgical grade silicon are investigated. Metallurgical grade silicon contains large amounts of impurities, mainly transition metals like Fe, Cr, Mn, and Co, which degrade the minority carrier lifetime and thus the solar cell efficiency. A major reduction of the transition metal content occurs during the unidirectional crystallization due to the low segregation coefficient between the solid and liquid phase. A further reduction of the impurity level has to be done by gettering procedures applied to the silicon wafers. The efficiency of such cleaning procedures of metallurgical grade silicon is studied by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Small sized silicon wafers of approximately 200mg with and without gettering step were analyzed. To accelerate the detection of transition metals in a crystallized silicon ingot, experiments of scanning whole vertical silicon columns with a diameter of approximately 1cm by gamma spectroscopy were carried out. It was demonstrated that impurity profiles can be obtained in a comparably short time. Relatively constant transition metal ratios were found throughout an entire silicon ingot. This led to the conclusion that the determination of several metal profiles might be possible by the detection of only one "leading element". As the determination of Mn in silicon can be done quite fast compared to elements like Fe, Cr, and Co, it could be used as a rough marker for the overall metal concentration level. Thus, a fast way to determine impurities in photovoltaic silicon material is demonstrated.

Aqueous-phase chemistry of the transactinides

The experimental techniques developed to perform rapid chemical separations of the heaviest elements in the aqueous phase are presented. In general, these include transport of the nuclear reaction products to a separation device by the gas-jet technique and dissolution in an aqueous solution containing inorganic ligands for complex formation. The complexes are chemically characterized by a partition method which can be liquid–liquid extraction, ion-exchange- or reversed-phase extraction chromatography. The separated fractions are quickly evaporated to dryness for the preparation of samples for α-particle spectroscopy. Comments are given on the special situation in which chemistry has to be studied with single atoms. Theoretical predictions of chemical properties are compared to the presently known chemical behaviour of rutherfordium, Rf (element 104), dubnium, Db (element 105), seaborgium, Sg (element 106), and hassium, Hs (element 108) and to that of their lighter homologs in the Periodic Table in order to assess the role of relativistic effects in the chemistry of the heaviest elements.

Appreciation to Referees

The standard of a primary specialized journal depends to a large extent on the quality of the peer-review process. During the last four years the following persons reviewed one or more manuscripts submitted to Radiochimica Acta, and gave advice to improve the presentations.

Production and decay of element 114: high cross sections and the new nucleus 277Hs

The fusion-evaporation reaction 244Pu(48Ca,3-4n){288,289}114 was studied at the new gas-filled recoil separator TASCA. Thirteen correlated decay chains were observed and assigned to the production and decay of {288,289}114. At a compound nucleus excitation energy of E{*}=39.8-43.9  MeV, the 4n evaporation channel cross section was 9.8{-3.1}{+3.9}  pb. At E^{*}=36.1-39.5  MeV, that of the 3n evaporation channel was 8.0{-4.5}{+7.4}  pb. In one of the 3n evaporation channel decay chains, a previously unobserved α branch in 281Ds was observed (probability to be of random origin from background: 0.1%). This α decay populated the new nucleus 277Hs, which decayed by spontaneous fission after a lifetime of 4.5 ms.

Speciation of the oxidation states of plutonium in aqueous solutions by UV/Vis spectroscopy, CE-ICP-MS and CE-RIMS

For the speciation of the plutonium oxidation states in aqueous solutions, the online coupling of capillary electrophoresis (CE) with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been developed. Depending on the radius/electrical charge ratio, the oxidation states III, IV, V, and VI of plutonium are separated by CE, based on the different migration times through the capillary and are detected by ICP-MS. The detection limit is 20 ppb,i.e.109–1010atoms (10-12–10-13g) for one oxidation state with an uncertainty of the reproducibility of the migration times of ≤1% and ≤5% for the peak area. The redox kinetics of the different plutonium oxidation states in the presence of humic substances (humic and fulvic acid) have been studied. A relatively rapid reduction of Pu(VI) (10 to 1000 h) in contact with Gorleben fulvic or Aldrich humic acid could be observed, depending on the pH of the solution. Furthermore, at pH=1, a reduction to Pu(III) and Pu(IV) in a mixture of all four oxidation states in contact with Gorleben fulvic acid after one month has been observed. In order to improve the sensitivity of the CE method, the offline coupling of CE to resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) has been explored. First applications of this new speciation method are presented.

On-line anion exchange of rutherfordium in HF/HNO3 and HF solutions

The fluoride complexation of the group-4 elements Zr, Hf, and Rf, and of the pseudo-homolog Th, was previously investigated in mixed HNO3/HF solutions by studying K d values on both cation-exchange resins (CIX) and anion-exchange resins (AIX) using the automated rapid chemistry apparatus ARCA. On the CIX, the fluoride complexation of Rf was found to be weaker than that of Zr and Hf but stronger than that of Th. On the AIX, the competition for the binding sites by the counter ion NO3 - was found to be stronger for the fluoride complexes of Rf than for those of Zr and Hf. The aim of the present work is to add independent evidence to the latter result by measuring K d values for Rf on the AIX in 0.1 M HNO3/0.5 M HF and in 0.01 M HF without any HNO3. The results are obtained via an activity ratio of the long-lived α-decay descendant of 261mRf, 20-d 253Es, using the multi-column technique (MCT). These experiments corroborate the seemingly much more pronounced competition of NO3 - for the exchanging sites of the AIX with respect to [RfF x ]( x -4)- than with [ZrF x ]( x -4)- and [HfF x ]( x -4)-.

Excitation energy division in 51V+197Au collisions 75 MeV above the barrier

We have previously determined the excitation energy division in 51V+197Au collisions at a bombarding energy corresponding exactly to the Bass-model barrier, E cm=B, and at E cm=B+25 MeV. At the barrier, the average excitation energies as a function of Z showed an extreme acceptor-donor asymmetry ("sawtooth" phenomenon) suggesting that the excitation energy division depends on how the neck nucleons are shared at scission. At the 25 MeV higher bombarding energy, a rapid change toward equipartition of the excitation energy was observed. We report here on the determination of the excitation energy division in the same system, using the same experimental technique, at E cm=B+75 MeV. At this bombarding energy, the average excitation energies indicate that a temperature equilibrium has been reached for most partitions except for the - on the average - incompletely damped events near the entrance channel charges, where some remnant of the "sawtooth" phenomenon is still visible.

Theoretical predictions of hydrolysis and complex formation of group-4 elements Zr, Hf and Rf in HF and HCl solutions

Fully relativistic molecular density–functional calculations of the electronic structures of hydrated, hydrolyzed and fluoride/chloride complexes have been performed for group–4 elements Zr, Hf, and element 104, Rf. Using the electronic density distribution data, relative values of the free energy change for hydrolysis and complex formation reactions were defined. The results show the following trend for the first hydrolysis step of the cationic species: Zr > Hf > Rf in agreement with experiments. For the complex formation in HF solutions, the trend to a decrease from Zr to Hf is continued with Rf, provided no hydrolysis takes place. At pH > 0, further fluorination of hydrolyzed species or fluoro–complexes has an inversed trend in the group Rf ≥ Zr > Hf, with the difference between the elements being very small. For the complex formation in HCl solutions, the trend is continued with Rf, so that Zr > Hf > Rf independently of pH. A decisive energetic factor in hydrolysis or complex formation processes proved to be a predominant electrostatic metal–ligand interaction. Trends in theKd(distribution coefficient) values for the group–4 elements are expected to follow those of the complex formation.

Humic colloid-borne Np migration: influence of the oxidation state

The migration behavior of Np(IV/V) is investigated by column experiments using a sandy sediment with groundwater rich in humic substances. NIR spectroscopy, redox speciation by TTA extraction and ultrafiltration are used for the Np speciation in the groundwater prior to its introduction into the column and after elution. Np is found to be transported as humic colloid-bound species which are eluted slightly faster than the water flow velocity. The fraction of humic colloid-borne Np increases with the reduction progress of Np(V) to Np(IV), because the interaction of Np(IV) with humic substances is much stronger than Np(V). The results demonstrate the importance of the speciation of redox sensitive actinides in natural aquifers for the assessment of the humic colloid facilitated migration.

Quantum chemical predictions of properties and experimental behaviour of elements 106, 107, and 108

Fully relativistic Density-Functional calculations have been performed for group 7 MO3Cl (M=Tc, Re, and element 107, Bh), for group 8 tetroxides MO4(M=Ru, Os, and element 108, Hs), and for various aqueous complexes of group 6 elements Mo, W, and element 106, Sg. The electronic structure analysis has shown the transactinide compounds to be very similar to those of the lighter homologs in the respective chemical groups with the covalence increasing with increasing atomic number. Results have shown BhO3Cl to have a trend in volatility in line with that of the lighter homologs in the group. Hydrolysis of element 106 with the formation of anionic oxo-complexes has, however, a reversed trend, so that hydrolysis decreases in the order Mo>Sg>W.

Evidence for the formation of sodium hassate(VIII)

Hassium, element 108, was produced in the fusion reaction between26Mg and248Cm. The hassium recoils were oxidizedin-situto a highly volatile oxide, presumably HsO4, and were transported in a mixture of He and O2to a deposition and detection system. The latter consisted of 16 silicon PIN-photodiodes facing a layer of NaOH, which served, in the presence of a certain partial pressure of water in the transport gas, as reactive surface for the deposition of the volatile tetroxides. Six correlated α-decay chains of Hs were detected in the first 5 detectors centred around detection position 3. In analogy to OsO4, which forms Na2[OsO4(OH)2], an osmate(VIII), with aqueous NaOH, HsO4presumably was deposited as Na2[HsO4(OH)2], a hassate(VIII).

Continuous on-line chromatography of short lived isotopes of tungsten as homolog of seaborgium (element 106)

We have studied the sorption of W on anion-exchange resins from HNO3/HF solutions under on-line conditions using continuous chromatography with the multi-column technique. Kd values and the charge of the W species were determined. In order to achieve an effective separation of mother (W) and daughter (Ta), also the sorption of Ta from HNO3/HF solutions on various anion exchange resins with different functional groups was studied. This investigation serves the purpose to select a suitable anion exchange resin for planned experiments with Sg.

Anion-exchange behavior of Mo and W as homologs of Sg (element 106) in HCl and HNO3 as well as in mixed HCl-HF and HNO3-HF solutions

We have determined K d values for Mo and W in batch experiments on various anion-exchange resins in HCl and HNO3 as well as in mixed HCl-HF and HNO3-HF solutions in order to create a data base and to select optimum conditions for the determination of K d values of Sg (element 106) in a future on-line experiment using continuous chromatography with the multi-column technique (MCT). Their influence by hydrolysis and fluoride complexation is discussed and the average charge of the complexes is determined from slope analyses. It is shown that the selectivity of anion exchangers for the Mo- and W complexes and, thus, the separation factors between them, depend strongly on the choice of the functional group of the anion-exchange resin.

Fluoride complexation of rutherfordium (Rf, element 104)

The fluoride complexation of the group-4 elements Zr, Hf and Rf, and of the pseudo-homolog Th, has been investigated in mixed HNO3/HF solutions by studying Kd values on both cation exchange resins (CIX) and anion exchange resins (AIX) using the automated rapid chemistry apparatus ARCA. On the CIX, the four elements are strongly retained as cations below 10-3M HF. For Zr and Hf, the decrease of the Kd values due to the formation of fluoride complexes occurs between 10-3M HF and 10-2M HF. For Rf and Th, this decrease is observed at one order of magnitude higher HF concentrations. On the AIX, for Zr and Hf, a rise of the Kd values due to the formation of anionic fluoride complexes is observed between 10-3M HF and 10-2M HF, i.e. in the same range of HF concentrations where the decrease of the Kd values on the CIX is observed, yielding a consistent picture. For Rf and Th, on the AIX, no rise of the Kd values is observed even if the HF concentration is increased up to 1 M. By varying the concentration of the counter ion NO3-which is competing for the binding sites on the AIX resin, it could be shown, nevertheless, that Rf does form anionic fluoride complexes. Apparently, there is a more specific competition of NO3-with respect to [RfFx](x-4)-than with [ZrFy](y-4)-and [HfFz](z-4)-.

Electrochemical deposition of carrier-free radionuclides

The potential associated with the electrochemical deposition of radionuclides in metallic form from solutions of extremely small concentration is strongly influenced by the choice of the electrode material. In a macroscopic model, the interaction between the microcomponent and the electrode material is described by the partial molar adsorption enthalpy and -entropy. By combination with the thermodynamic description of the electrode process, a potential is calculated that characterizes the process at 50% deposition. Model calculations for Ni-, Cu-, Pd-, Ag-, Pt-, and Au-electrodes and the microcomponents Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, and Po confirm the decisive influence of the electrode material on the deposition potential. The present study prepares an application of the same model to the superheavy elements 112-116.

Studies of the ternary systems humic substances – kaolinite – Pu(III) and Pu(IV)

The behaviour of plutonium with respect to its migration in the aquifer has been studied under conditions close to nature. Most relevant under these conditions are Pu(III) and Pu(IV) in contact with humic substances (HS) and minerals. As a model for the host rock, kaolinite (KGa-1b) was chosen. The complexation of Pu(III) and Pu(IV) with Aldrich humic acid (AHA) in aqueous solution at ionic strength 0.1 M was investigated by the ultrafiltration method. The sorption of Pu(III) and Am(III) onto kaolinite (K) as a function of pH and metal-ion concentration was studied under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The pH edge was found at pH∼5.5 independent of the metal-ion concentration and working atmosphere. The influence of HS on the sorption of Pu(III) and Pu(IV) onto kaolinite was investigated in the ternary systems Pu(III)-K-HS and Pu(IV)-K-HS and for comparison, in the system Th(IV)-K-HS. The dependence on pH, contact time, concentration of HS (for Pu(IV)-K-HS) was studied as well as the sequence in which the components were added. Generally, it was found that HS tend to enhance the sorption onto kaolinite below pH 6 and to decrease sorption at higher pH depending in detail on the sequence in which the components were added. An identification of the species sorbed on the surface of the kaolinite by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, as well as chemically, was attempted and preliminary results are discussed.

Extraction behavior of rutherfordium into tributylphosphate from hydrochloric acid

The extraction behavior of rutherfordium (Rf) into tributylphosphate (TBP) from hydrochloric acid (HCl) has been studied together with those of the lighter group-4 elements Zr and Hf. The extractability of261Rf,169Hf, and85Zr into TBP was investigated under identical conditions in 7.2–8.0 M HCl by on-line reversed-phase extraction chromatography. The percent extractions of Rf, Hf, and Zr into the TBP resin increase steeply with increasing HCl concentration, and the order of extraction is Zr > Hf ≈ Rf. By considering the order of chloride complexation among these elements, it is suggested that the stability of the TBP complex of Rf tetrachloride is lower than those of Zr and Hf.

Sorption of tetravalent plutonium and humic substances onto kaolinite

The sorption of tetravalent plutonium onto kaolinite, a clay mineral, has been studied as a function of pH. The sorption studies have been performed by batch experiments under aerobic and anaerobic conditions (glove box). A pH range of 0–11 has been investigated with plutonium concentrations of 3.5 × 10-7−6.9 × 10-9M and a solid phase concentration of 4 g/L. A sorption edge at about pH=1 and maximum sorption around pH=8.5 has been found under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In the presence of CO2at pH > 8.5, the sorption of plutonium is decreased due to the formation of soluble carbonate complexes. This is supported by speciation calculations for Pu(IV)-hydroxo-carbonate species in aqueous solution. Depending on the pH, 1%−10% of the sorbed plutonium is desorbed from the kaolinite and released into the fresh solution. For comparison with the behavior of Pu(IV), the sorption of the redox-stable Th(IV) onto kaolinite has also been investigated. Furthermore, the sorption of humic substances (HS) onto kaolinite has been studied as a function of pH and for varying concentrations of HS as a prerequisite to understand the more complex ternary system: plutonium, humic substances, and clay. It has been found that the sorption of Aldrich humic acid onto kaolinite is generally higher than that for Gorleben fulvic acid.

Ion-molecule reactions of Ru+ and Os+ with oxygen in a Penning trap

Gas-phase ion chemistry in a Penning trap has been explored for future experiments on the chemical properties of the heaviest elements. The Mainz Cluster Trap, a Penning trap experiment devoted to metal cluster research, has served as a model apparatus for SHIPTRAP which is being installed behind the velocity filter SHIP (Separator for Heavy Ion reaction Products) at the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung (GSI) at Darmstadt. The reactions of stored Ru+ and Os+ with oxygen have been studied and the reaction products MO+ and MO2 + (M = Ru, Os) have been observed. The corresponding rate constants have been measured and the results are discussed with respect to future studies of similar ion-molecule reactions of the element 108 (hassium) in SHIPTRAP.

Direct experimental verification of neutron acceleration by the material optical potential of solid 2H2

We have measured the acceleration of neutrons by the material optical potential of solid 2H2. Using a gravitational spectrometer, we find a minimal kinetic energy Ec = (99+/-7) neV of neutrons from a superthermal ultracold neutron (UCN) source with solid 2H2 as an UCN converter. The result is in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions, Ec = 106 neV.

Evidence for pygmy and giant dipole resonances in 130Sn and 132Sn

The dipole strength distribution above the one-neutron separation energy was measured in the unstable 130Sn and the double-magic 132Sn isotopes. The results were deduced from Coulomb dissociation of secondary Sn beams with energies around 500 MeV/nucleon, produced by in-flight fission of a primary 238U beam. In addition to the giant dipole resonance, a resonancelike structure ("pygmy resonance") is observed at a lower excitation energy around 10 MeV exhausting a few percent of the isovector E1 energy-weighted sum rule. The results are discussed in the context of a predicted new dipole mode of excess neutrons oscillating out of phase with the core nucleons.

Evidence for multiphonon giant resonances in electromagnetic fission of 238U

Differential cross sections for electromagnetic fission of 238U projectiles (500 MeV/u) in C, Sn, and Pb targets are measured and analyzed in terms of single- and multiphonon giant resonance excitations as doorway states to fission. A novel experimental method exploits the linear relationship between neutron multiplicity and the primary 238U excitation energy. Multiphonon states contribute up to 20% of the cross section; a component at high excitation energies is indicated that may arise from three-phonon dipole and two-phonon GDR x GQRiv giant resonance excitations.

Separation of Plutonium and Neptunium Species by Capillary Electrophoresis−Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry and Application to Natural Groundwater Samples

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) was coupled to ICPMS in order to combine the good performance of this separation technique with the high sensitivity of the ICPMS for the analysis of plutonium and neptunium oxidation states. The combination of a fused-silica capillary with a MicroMist AR 30-I-FM02 nebulizer and a Cinnabar small-volume cyclonic spray chamber yielded the best separation results. With this setup, it was possible to separate a model element mixture containing neptunium (NpO2(+)), uranium (UO2(2+)), lanthanum (La3+), and thorium (Th4+) in 1 M acetic acid. The same conditions were also suitable for the separation of various oxidation states of plutonium and neptunium in different aqueous samples. All separations were obtained within less than 15 min. A detection limit of 50 ppb identical with 2 x 10(-7) M (3-fold standard deviation of a blank) was achieved. To prove the negligible disturbance of the plutonium and neptunium redox equilibria during the CE separations, plutonium and neptunium speciation by CE-ICPMS in acidic solutions was compared with the results of UV/visible absorption spectroscopy and was found to be in good agreement. The CE-ICPMS system was also applied to study the reduction of Pu(VI) in a humic acid-containing groundwater at different pH values.

The t+n+n system and 5H

The one-proton knockout channel from 6He (240 MeV/u) impinging on a carbon target has been investigated. The triton fragments originating from this channel were detected in coincidence with the two neutrons. A broad structure, peaked at 3 MeV above the t+2n threshold, is observed in the t+n+n-relative energy spectrum. It is shown that this structure is mainly due to a I(pi)=1/2(+) resonance as expected for the 5H ground state, and from the observed angular and energy correlations, being used for the first time in 5H studies, that the neutrons to a large extent occupy the p shell.

Evidence for a new low-lying resonance state in 7He

Low-lying resonance states in 7He(6He+n), formed after fragmentation reactions of a 227 MeV/nucleon 8He beam on a carbon target, have been studied. Coincidences between 6He nuclei and neutrons, corresponding to the one-neutron knockout channel in 8He, were selected. The relative energy spectrum in the 6He+n system shows a structure, which is interpreted as the 7He ( Ipi = 3/2(-)) ground state, unbound with 0.43(2) MeV relative to the 6He+n system and a width of Gamma = 0.15(8) MeV overlapping with an excited ( Ipi = 1/2(-)) state observed at 1.0(1) MeV with a width of Gamma = 0.75(8) MeV.

Photoneutron cross sections for unstable neutron-rich oxygen isotopes

The dipole response of stable and unstable neutron-rich oxygen nuclei of masses A = 17 to A = 22 has been investigated experimentally utilizing electromagnetic excitation in heavy-ion collisions at beam energies about 600 MeV/nucleon. A kinematically complete measurement of the neutron decay channel in inelastic scattering of the secondary beam projectiles from a Pb target was performed. Differential electromagnetic excitation cross sections d sigma/dE were derived up to 30 MeV excitation energy. In contrast to stable nuclei, the deduced dipole strength distribution appears to be strongly fragmented and systematically exhibits a considerable fraction of low-lying strength.