Angular momentum generation in nuclear fission.

When a heavy atomic nucleus splits (fission), the resulting fragments are observed to emerge spinning1; this phenomenon has been a mystery in nuclear physics for over 40 years2,3. The internal generation of typically six or seven units of angular momentum in each fragment is particularly puzzling for systems that start with zero, or almost zero, spin. There are currently no experimental observations that enable decisive discrimination between the many competing theories for the mechanism that generates the angular momentum4-12. Nevertheless, the consensus is that excitation of collective vibrational modes generates the intrinsic spin before the nucleus splits (pre-scission). Here we show that there is no significant correlation between the spins of the fragment partners, which leads us to conclude that angular momentum in fission is actually generated after the nucleus splits (post-scission). We present comprehensive data showing that the average spin is strongly mass-dependent, varying in saw-tooth distributions. We observe no notable dependence of fragment spin on the mass or charge of the partner nucleus, confirming the uncorrelated post-scission nature of the spin mechanism. To explain these observations, we propose that the collective motion of nucleons in the ruptured neck of the fissioning system generates two independent torques, analogous to the snapping of an elastic band. A parameterization based on occupation of angular momentum states according to statistical theory describes the full range of experimental data well. This insight into the role of spin in nuclear fission is not only important for the fundamental understanding and theoretical description of fission, but also has consequences for the γ-ray heating problem in nuclear reactors13,14, for the study of the structure of neutron-rich isotopes15,16, and for the synthesis and stability of super-heavy elements17,18.

Evidence of Partial Seniority Conservation in the πg_{9/2} Shell for the N=50 Isotones.

The reduced transition probabilities for the 4_{1}^{+}→2_{1}^{+} and 2_{1}^{+}→0_{1}^{+} transitions in ^{92}Mo and ^{94}Ru and for the 4_{1}^{+}→2_{1}^{+} and 6_{1}^{+}→4_{1}^{+} transitions in ^{90}Zr have been determined in this experiment making use of a multinucleon transfer reaction. These results have been interpreted on the basis of realistic shell-model calculations in the f_{5/2}, p_{3/2}, p_{1/2}, and g_{9/2} proton valence space. Only the combination of extensive lifetime information and large scale shell-model calculations allowed the extent of the seniority conservation in the N=50 g_{9/2} orbital to be understood. The conclusion is that seniority is largely conserved in the first πg_{9/2} orbital.

Anomalies in the Charge Yields of Fission Fragments from the

Fast-neutron-induced fission of ^{238}U at an energy just above the fission threshold is studied with a novel technique which involves the coupling of a high-efficiency γ-ray spectrometer (MINIBALL) to an inverse-kinematics neutron source (LICORNE) to extract charge yields of fission fragments via γ-γ coincidence spectroscopy. Experimental data and fission models are compared and found to be in reasonable agreement for many nuclei; however, significant discrepancies of up to 600% are observed, particularly for isotopes of Sn and Mo. This indicates that these models significantly overestimate the standard 1 fission mode and suggests that spherical shell effects in the nascent fission fragments are less important for low-energy fast-neutron-induced fission than for thermal neutron-induced fission. This has consequences for understanding and modeling the fission process, for experimental nuclear structure studies of the most neutron-rich nuclei, for future energy applications (e.g., Generation IV reactors which use fast-neutron spectra), and for the reactor antineutrino anomaly.

Fission barrier of superheavy nuclei and persistence of shell effects at high spin: cases of 254No and 220Th.

We report on the first measurement of the fission barrier height in a heavy shell-stabilized nucleus. The fission barrier height of 254No is measured to be Bf=6.0±0.5 MeV at spin 15ℏ and, by extrapolation, Bf=6.6±0.9 MeV at spin 0ℏ. This information is deduced from the measured distribution of entry points in the excitation energy versus spin plane. The same measurement is performed for 220Th and only a lower limit of the fission barrier height can be determined: Bf(I)>8 MeV. Comparisons with theoretical fission barriers test theories that predict properties of superheavy elements.

Shell-structure and pairing interaction in superheavy nuclei: rotational properties of the z=104 nucleus (256)rf.

The rotational band structure of the Z=104 nucleus (256)Rf has been observed up to a tentative spin of 20ℏ using state-of-the-art γ-ray spectroscopic techniques. This represents the first such measurement in a superheavy nucleus whose stability is entirely derived from the shell-correction energy. The observed rotational properties are compared to those of neighboring nuclei and it is shown that the kinematic and dynamic moments of inertia are sensitive to the underlying single-particle shell structure and the specific location of high-j orbitals. The moments of inertia therefore provide a sensitive test of shell structure and pairing in superheavy nuclei which is essential to ensure the validity of contemporary nuclear models in this mass region. The data obtained show that there is no deformed shell gap at Z=104, which is predicted in a number of current self-consistent mean-field models.

Two-particle separation energy trends in the superdeformed well.

A measurement of the energy and spin of superdeformed states in 190Hg, obtained through the observation of transitions directly linking superdeformed and normal states, expands the number of isotopes in which binding energies at superdeformation are known. Comparison with neighboring nuclei shows that two-proton separation energies are higher in the superdeformed state than in the normal state, despite the lower Coulomb barrier and lower total binding energy. This unexpected result provides a critical test for nuclear models.

Comparison of gamma-ray coincidence and low-background gamma-ray singles spectrometry.

Aerosol samples have been studied under different background conditions using gamma-ray coincidence and low-background gamma-ray singles spectrometric techniques with High-Purity Germanium detectors. Conventional low-background gamma-ray singles counting is a competitive technique when compared to the gamma-gamma coincidence approach in elevated background conditions. However, measurement of gamma-gamma coincidences can clearly make the identification of different nuclides more reliable and efficient than using singles spectrometry alone. The optimum solution would be a low-background counting station capable of both singles and gamma-gamma coincidence spectrometry.

Motional narrowing and ergodic bands in excited superdeformed states of 194Hg.

The E(gamma) - E(gamma) coincidence spectra from the electromagnetic decay of excited superdeformed states in (194)Hg reveal surprisingly narrow ridges, parallel to the diagonal. A total of 100-150 excited bands are found to contribute to these ridges, which account for nearly all the unresolved E2 decay strength. Comparison with theory suggests that these excited bands have many components in their wave functions, yet they display remarkable rotational coherence. This phenomenon can be explained in terms of the combination of shell effects and motional narrowing.

Excitation energies of superdeformed States in 196Pb: towards a systematic study of the second well in Pb isotopes.

The excitation energy of the lowest-energy superdeformed band in 196Pb is established using the techniques of time-correlated gamma-ray spectroscopy. Together with previous measurements on 192Pb and 194Pb, this result allows superdeformed excitation energies, binding energies, and two-proton and two-neutron separation energies to be studied systematically, providing stringent tests for current nuclear models. The results are examined for evidence of a "superdeformed shell gap."

Octupole vibration in superdeformed 152(66)Dy86.

Nine transitions of dipole character have been identified linking an excited superdeformed (SD) band in 152Dy to the yrast SD band. As a result, the excitation energy of the lowest level in the excited SD band has been measured to be 14 238 keV. This corresponds to a 1.3 MeV excitation above the SD ground state. The levels in this band have tentatively been determined to be of negative parity and odd spin. The measured properties are consistent with an interpretation in terms of a rotational band built on a collective octupole vibration.

Linear polarization measurement of interband transitions in superdeformed 190hg: model-independent evidence for octupole vibrational structures.

The linear polarization of gamma rays between excited and yrast superdeformed (SD) states in 190Hg was measured using the four-element CLOVER detectors of the EUROBALL IV gamma-ray spectrometer. This measurement shows in a model-independent way that the interband transitions which compete with the highly collective in-band quadrupole transitions are largely enhanced electric dipoles. Not only do these results represent the first measurement of the multipolarity of transitions between different SD states, but they also provide strong evidence for the interpretation of the structures in the SD minimum of the A approximately 190 region in terms of octupole excitations.

Direct decay from the superdeformed band to the yrast line in 15266Dy86.

The excitation energy, spin, and parity of the yrast superdeformed band in 152Dy have been firmly established. The evidence comes mainly from the measured properties of a 4011 keV single-step transition connecting the yrast superdeformed level fed by the 693 keV transition to the 27- yrast state. Four additional, weaker, linking gamma rays have been placed as well. The excitation energy of the lowest superdeformed band member is 10 644 keV and its spin and parity are determined to be 24+.