Shape Coexistence at Zero Spin in ^{64}Ni Driven by the Monopole Tensor Interaction

The low-spin structure of the semimagic ^{64}Ni nucleus has been considerably expanded: combining four experiments, several 0^{+} and 2^{+} excited states were identified below 4.5 MeV, and their properties established. The Monte Carlo shell model accounts for the results and unveils an unexpectedly complex landscape of coexisting shapes: a prolate 0^{+} excitation is located at a surprisingly high energy (3463 keV), with a collective 2^{+} state 286 keV above it, the first such observation in Ni isotopes. The evolution in excitation energy of the prolate minimum across the neutron N=40 subshell gap highlights the impact of the monopole interaction and its variation in strength with N.

Measurements of Fission Products Yields with the LOHENGRIN mass spectrometer at ILL

The CEA in collaboration with ILL and LPSC has developed a measurement program on symmetric and heavy mass fission product distributions. The combination of measurements with ionisation chamber and Ge detectors is necessary to describe precisely the heavy fission product region in mass and charge. Recently, new measurements of fission yields and kinetic energy distributions, for different fissioning systems (233,235 U(nth, f),241 Am(2nth, f) and 239,241 Pu(nth, f), were performed with recoil spectrometer LOHENGRIN. The focus has been done on the self-normalization of the data to provide new absolute measurements, independently of any libraries along with the experimental covariance matrix. To reach precise measurements, a new experimental procedure was developed along with a new analysis method.

Fission fragments observables measured at the LOHENGRIN spectrometer

Nuclear fission yields are key data for reactor studies, such as spent fuel inventory or decay heat, and for understanding fission process. Despite a significant effort allocated to measure fission yields during the last decades, the recent evaluated libraries still need improvements in particular in the reduction of the uncertainties. Moreover, some discrepancies between these libraries must be explained.

Additional measurements provide complementary information and estimations of experimental correlations, and new kinds of measurements enable to test the models used during the nuclear data evaluation process. A common effort by the CEA, the LPSC and the ILL aims at tackling these issues by providing precise measurements of isotopic and isobaric fission yields with the related variance-covariance matrices. Additionally, the experimental program involves a large range of observables requested by the evaluations, such as kinetic energy dependency of isotopic yields and odd-even effect in order to test the sharing of total excitation energy and the spin generation mechanism. Another example is the complete range of isotopic distribution per mass that allows the determination of the charge polarization, which has to be consistent for complementary masses (pre-neutron emission). For instance, this information is the key observable for the evaluation of isotopic yields. Finally, ionic charge distributions are indirect measurements of nanosecond isomeric ratios as a probe of the nuclear de-excitation path in the (E*, J, π) representation.

Measurements for thermal neutron induced fission of 241 Pu have been carried out at the ILL in Grenoble, using the LOHENGRIN mass spectrometer. Methods, results and comparison to models calculations will be presented corresponding to a status on fission fragments observables reachable with this facility.

Status of fission fragment observables measured with the LOHENGRIN spectrometer

Nuclear fission yields are key parameters to evaluate reactor physics observables, such as fuel inventory, decay heat, spent fuel radiotoxicity, criticality but also for understanding the fission process. Despite a significant effort allocated to measure fission yields during the last decades, the recent evaluated libraries still need improvements in particular in the description of the uncertainties with the associated correlations. Additional kinds of measurements provide complementary information in order to test the models used in the nuclear data evaluation. Moreover, some discrepancies between these libraries must be explained. A common effort by the CEA, the LPSC and the ILL aims at tackling these issues by providing precise measurement of isotopic and isobaric fission yields with the related variance-covariance matrices. Nevertheless, the experimental program represents itself a large range of observables requested by the evaluations: isotopic yields, nuclear charge polarization, odd-even effect, isomeric ratio and their dependency with fission fragment kinetic energy as a probe of the nuclear de-excitation path in the (E*, Jπ) representation. Measurements for thermal neutron induced fission of 241Pu have been carried out at the Institut Laue Langevin using the LOHENGRIN mass spectrometer. Experimental program, observables reachable, results and comparison to model calculations are shown.

Lifetime measurement in neutron-rich A~100 nuclei

Lifetimes of excited states of the 98;100;102Zr nuclei were measured by using the Generalized Centroid Difference Method. The nuclei of interest were populated via neutron-induced fission of 241Pu and 235U during the EXILL-FATIMA campaign. The obtained lifetimes were used to calculate the B(E2) transition strengths and β deformation parameters which were then compared with the recent theoretical predictions obtained with Monte Carlo Shell Model.

Excited States and Collectivity in 88Se

The γ decays of excited states in the very neutron-rich nucleus 88Se have been observed following the cold neutron-induced fission of 235U at the PF1B facility of the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), Grenoble. The EXILL array was used to measure γ - γ - γ coincidences, which were then analysed to build a level scheme of 88Se. A low (2+1) energy hints at the onset of quadrupole deformation and the identification of possible members of a (2+2) band provide evidence for γ vibrations. Shell-model calculations using a 78Ni core reproduce the experimental decay scheme well, implying that interactions between particles in the π f5/2 p and vsd orbits are responsible for much of the collectivity present. The algebraic collective model has also been used to interpret the experimental data, showing that that the experimental spectrum is consistent with 88Se being a transitional nucleus, possessing weak static β deformation and γ instability.

The γ-γ fast-timing technique and the EXILL&FATIMA campaign

At the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, germanium-gated γ-γ fast-timing lifetime measurements of nuclear excited states in neutron-rich nuclei have been performed within a prompt γ-ray spectroscopy experimental campaign. We report on results obtained from the cold-neutron induced fission of 235U. The excited secondary fission products were stopped almost instantaneously within the thick target and the γ rays emitted were collected triggerlessly using the EXILL&FATIMA mixed array of HPGe and LaBr3(Ce) detectors. Precise lifetimes could be determined by analysing the γ-γ time difference spectra using the generalized centroid difference method. This picosecondsensitive method provides many advantages and is briefly explained. Still, the major source of systematic errors is related to the contribution of time-correlated Compton background. The EXILL&FATIMA results are discussed with respect to the typical energy-dependent timing behaviour of the background. According to the time response of the background, appropriate methods and a time correction for the sub-nanosecond regime are proposed.

(n,γ) reactions on rare Ca isotopes: Valence-hole - core excitation couplings in 47Ca

Recent results on the structure of 47Ca will be presented. The nucleus of interest was populated via the cold-neutron capture 46Ca(n,γ) reaction, on a rare 46Ca target, during the EXILL experimental campaign at the nuclear reactor of Institut Laue- Langevin in Grenoble. High-resolution γ-ray spectroscopy, performed with a composite array of HPGe detectors, enabled the identification of new transitions deexciting states between the neutron-capture level and the ground state. Experimental data will be compared with a novel microscopic theoretical model, currently under development, specifically designed to describe the low-lying structure of odd-mass nuclei with one valence particle/hole outside a spherical doubly-magic core, using the Skyrme effective interaction self-consistently.

Annealing Studies of Visible Light Emission from Silicon Nanocrystals Produced by Implantation

The annealing behavior of silicon implanted SiO2 layers is studied using continuous and time-gated photoluminescence (PL). Two PL emission bands are observed. A band centered at 560 nm is present in as implanted samples and it is still observed after 1000 °C annealing. The emission time is fast (0.2 -2 ns). A second band centered at 780 nm further increases when hydrogen annealing was performed. The emission time is long (1 μs - 0.3 ms).

An attempt to date an antique Benin bronze using neutron resonance capture analysis

Neutron resonance capture analysis was applied to a bronze commemorative plaque from the West-African country Benin. By comparison with recently published element compositions of Benin memorial heads, the alloy of the plaque could be dated to the period 1725-1897 AD. In the analysis procedure, the object was not damaged, cleaned or altered, and very little long-lived radioactivity was induced.

Evaluation of the thermal resistance of different Salmonella serotypes in pork meat containing curing additives

The preliminary heat resistance evaluation of 94 Salmonella strains was carried out in culture medium (Trypticase soy broth, TSB). The heat resistance of three S. typhimurium strains (ATCC 14028, 133 and 1116), a strain each of S. derby B4373, S. potsdam 1133, S. menston 179. S. eppendorf 166, and S. kingston I124 was determined also in pork meat containing curing additives. As expected, the eight Salmonella strains showed greater heat resistance in pork meat than in TSB. At the lowest temperature (58 degrees C), the heat resistance increased 1.5-4 times, and it was most pronounced for the strains being most heat sensitive in TSB. S. potsdam 133 was the most resistant strain in pork meat, with D-values at 58 degrees C, 60 degrees C and 63 degrees C of 4.80, 1.57 and 0.30 min, respectively. The most sensitive strain turned out to be S. kingston 1124, with D-values of 2.79. 0.92 and 0.24 min, at the same temperatures. According to collected data, the heating processes, as applied to cured pork meat, providing an internal temperature of 60 degrees C for 9-10 min or of 63 degrees C for 3-4 min can be expected to provide a > or = 7 D kill of Salmonella belonging to the serotypes studied.

Evaluation of test kits for the determination of aflatoxins in meat products

A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of 4 different assays for rapidly screening samples of artificially contaminated hams and salami for the presence of aflatoxins (B1+B2+G1+G2) at concentrations ≥5 μg/kg. Test samples were contaminated in the range of 0 - 100μg/kg.At 0 μg/kg level no false positive (all <5 μg/kg) were found for all commodities by the kits tested; all test samples spiked at level >20 μg/kg were found positive by each kit, while most of the errors associated in the assays occurred on samples containing <10μg/kg. For samples either negative or contaminated above 20μg/kg all the methods were suited for use as rapid screening tests.