arXiv subjects

V. Modamio

Publications and source records attributed to V. Modamio.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Statistical and non-statistical $\gamma$-decay properties of $^{64}$Zn

We present a study on the $\gamma$-decay properties of $^{64}$Zn using the Oslo method on $^{64}$Zn($p,p^\prime \gamma$) data combined with $^{64}$Zn$(\gamma,n)$ cross-section measurements at the NewSUBARU facility. With the Oslo method, we have measured the $\gamma$-ray strength function ($\gamma$SF) and the nuclear level density (NLD) below the neutron threshold. We observe that the NLD trend in the quasi-continuum region of $^{64}$Zn is best characterized by a constant-temperature-like model. %with temperature parameter $T_{\rm CT}=1.21(5)$ MeV. Surprisingly, we find that $\gamma$-ray transitions from the quasi-continuum decaying directly to the $0^+$ ground state seem to be strongly hindered with a hindrance factor of $\kappa \approx 0.5$, which could be an indication of non-statistical effects in the ground-state decay due to, \textit{e.g.}, differences in nuclear shapes. For $\gamma$ energies above the neutron separation energy, the NewSUBARU ($\gamma, n$) data set probes a significant part of the giant dipole resonance. Furthermore, we find that the Oslo-method $\gamma$SF shows a rather smooth behavior, with a clear low-energy enhancement (LEE) for $E_{\gamma} < 4$ MeV.

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arXiv2024

Shape evolution in even-mass $^{98-104}$Zr isotopes via lifetime measurements using the $\gamma\gamma$-coincidence technique

The Zirconium (Z = 40) isotopic chain has attracted interest for more than four decades. The abrupt lowering of the energy of the first $2^+$ state and the increase in the transition strength B(E2; $2_1^\rightarrow 0_1^+$ going from $^{98}$Zr to $^{100}$Zr has been the first example of "quantum phase transition" in nuclear shapes, which has few equivalents in the nuclear chart. Although a multitude of experiments have been performed to measure nuclear properties related to nuclear shapes and collectivity in the region, none of the measured lifetimes were obtained using the Recoil Distance Doppler Shift method in the $\gamma\gamma$-coincidence mode where a gate on the direct feeding transition of the state of interest allows a strict control of systematical errors. This work reports the results of lifetime measurements for the first yrast excited states in $^{98-104}$Zr carried out to extract reduced transition probabilities. The new lifetime values in $\gamma\gamma$-coincidence and $\gamma$-single mode are compared with the results of former experiments. Recent predictions of the Interacting Boson Model with Configuration Mixing, the Symmetry Conserving Configuration Mixing model based on the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach and the Monte Carlo Shell Model are presented and compared with the experimental data.

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arXiv2024

A saga on the $\gamma$-decay branching ratio of the Hoyle state

The radiative branching ratio of the Hoyle state is crucial to estimate the triple-$\alpha$ reaction rate in stellar environments at medium temperatures of $T=0.1$ to 2 GK. Knowledge of the $\gamma$-decay channel is critical as this is the dominant radiative decay channel for the Hoyle state. A recent study by Kib\'edi et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 182701 (2020)] has challenged our understanding of this astrophysically significant branching ratio and its constraints. The main purpose was to perform a new measurement of the $\gamma$-decay branching ratio of the Hoyle state to deduce the radiative branching ratio of the Hoyle state, an additional objective was to independently verify aspects of the measurement conducted by Kib\'edi et al. For the primary experiment of this work the Hoyle state was populated by the $^{12}\textrm{C}(p,p')$ reaction at 10.8 MeV at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory. The $\gamma$-decay branching ratio was deduced through triple-coincidence events between a proton populating the Hoyle state and the subsequent $\gamma$-ray cascade. An independent analysis of the 2014 data published by Kib\'edi et al. has been carried out. From the main experiment of this work, a $\gamma$-decay branching ratio of the Hoyle state was determined as $\Gamma_{\gamma}^{7.65}/\Gamma^{7.65}=4.0(3)\times 10^{-4}$, yielding a radiative branching ratio of $\Gamma_{\textrm{rad}}/\Gamma=4.1(4) \times 10^{-4}$. The reanalysis of the 2014 experiment in this work yielded $\Gamma_{\gamma}^{7.65}/\Gamma^{7.65}=4.5(6)\times 10^{-4}$, with a radiative branching ratio of $\Gamma_{\textrm{rad}}/\Gamma=4.6(6) \times 10^{-4}$. The measurements of the radiative branching ratio of the Hoyle state in this work is in excellent agreement with several recent studies, as well as the previously adopted ENSDF average of $\Gamma_{\textrm{rad}}/\Gamma=4.16(11)\times 10^{-4}$.

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arXiv2023

New experimental constraint on the $^{185}$W($n,\gamma$)$^{186}$W cross section

In this work, we present new data on the $^{182,183,184}$W($\gamma,n$) cross sections, utilizing a quasi-monochromatic photon beam produced at the NewSUBARU synchrotron radiation facility. Further, we have extracted the nuclear level density and $\gamma$-ray strength function of $^{186}$W from data on the $^{186}$W($\alpha,\alpha^\prime\gamma$)$^{186}$W reaction measured at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory. Combining previous measurements on the $^{186}$W($\gamma,n$) cross section with our new $^{182,183,184}$W($\gamma,n$) and ($\alpha,\alpha^\prime\gamma$)$^{186}$W data sets, we have deduced the $^{186}$W $\gamma$-ray strength function in the range of $1 < E_\gamma < 6$ MeV and $7 < E_\gamma < 14$ MeV. Our data are used to extract the level density and $\gamma$-ray strength functions needed as input to the nuclear-reaction code \textsf{TALYS}, providing an indirect, experimental constraint for the $^{185}$W($n,\gamma$)$^{186}$W cross section and reaction rate. Compared to the recommended Maxwellian-averaged cross section (MACS) in the KADoNiS-1.0 data base, our results are on average lower for the relevant energy range $k_B T \in [5,100]$ keV, and we provide a smaller uncertainty for the MACS. The theoretical values of Bao \textit{et al.} and the cross section experimentally constrained on photoneutron data of Sonnabend \textit{et al.} are significantly higher than our result. The lower value by Mohr \textit{et al.} is in very good agreement with our deduced MACS. Our new results could have implications for the $s$-process and in particular the predicted $s$-process production of $^{186,187}$Os nuclei.

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arXiv2022

Evolution of the $\gamma$-ray strength function in neodymium isotopes

The experimental gamma-ray strength functions (gamma-SFs) of 142,144-151Nd have been studied for gamma-ray energies up to the neutron separation energy. The results represent a unique set of gamma-SFs for an isotopic chain with increasing nuclear deformation. The data reveal how the low-energy enhancement, the scissors mode and the pygmy dipole resonance evolve with nuclear deformation and mass number. The data indicate that the mechanisms behind the low-energy enhancement and the scissors mode are decoupled from each other.

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arXiv2020

Strong enhancement of level densities in the crossover from spherical to deformed neodymium isotopes

Understanding the evolution of level densities in the crossover from spherical to well-deformed nuclei has been a long-standing problem in nuclear physics. We measure nuclear level densities for a chain of neodymium isotopes $^{142,144-151}$Nd which exhibit such a crossover. These results represent to date the most complete data set of nuclear level densities for an isotopic chain between neutron shell-closure and towards mid-shell. We observe a strong increase of the level densities along the chain with an overall increase by a factor of $\approx 170$ at an excitation energy of 7.5 MeV and saturation around mass 150. Level densities calculated by the shell model Monte Carlo (SMMC) are in excellent agreement with these experimental results. Based on our experimental and theoretical findings, we offer an explanation of the observed mass dependence of the level densities in terms of the intrinsic single-particle level density and the collective enhancement.

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arXiv2019

High resolution $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy using GALILEO array

The GALILEO $\gamma$-ray spectrometer has been constructed at the Legnaro National Laboratory of INFN (LNL-INFN). It can be coupled to advanced ancillary devices which allows nuclear structure studies employing the variety of in-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy methods. Such studies benefit from reactions induced by the intense stable beams delivered by the Tandem-ALPI-PIAVE accelerator complex and by the radioactive beams which will be provided by the SPES facility. In this paper we outline two experiments performed within the experimental campaign at GALILEO coupled to the EUCLIDES Si-ball and the Neutron Wall array. The first one was aimed at spectroscopic studies in A=31 mirror nuclei and the second one at measurements of lifetimes of excited states in nuclei in the vicinity of $^{100}$Sn.

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arXiv2012

Core-coupled states and split proton-neutron quasi-particle multiplets in 122-126Ag

Neutron-rich silver isotopes were populated in the fragmentation of a 136Xe beam and the relativistic fission of 238U. The fragments were mass analyzed with the GSI Fragment separator and subsequently implanted into a passive stopper. Isomeric transitions were detected by 105 HPGe detectors. Eight isomeric states were observed in 122-126Ag nuclei. The level schemes of 122,123,125Ag were revised and extended with isomeric transitions being observed for the first time. The excited states in the odd-mass silver isotopes are interpreted as core-coupled states. The isomeric states in the even-mass silver isotopes are discussed in the framework of the proton-neutron split multiplets. The results of shell-model calculations, performed for the most neutron-rich silver nuclei are compared to the experimental data.

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