Jirina Stone

Abstract:

The nuclear spin-lattice relaxation of In-127 implanted into pure gadolinium metal has been measured using the method of integral attenuation of on-line nuclear orientation. The Korringa constant is determined to be C-K ((InGd)-In-127, B-pol = 0.5 T) = 0.133(18) sK. The result is compared with relaxation of In nuclei in Fe.

Abstract:

We report a programme of novel experiments involving direct proton emission and beta-delayed proton and neutron emission for exotic nuclei oriented at low temperatures. Full modelling of the quantum tunneling and angular distribution has been made for the first time for these processes. Their study has application in many fields of natural science. The study of barrier effects involving angular momentum and non-spherical deformation can be approached more directly via single-particle emission than via alpha decay, which suffers from complications relating to preformation of the alpha particle. Using the new formalism, predictions are presented for angular distributions of beta-delayed neutrons from oriented I-137 and of direct proton emission from oriented Tm-147.

Abstract:

The first fully on-line use of the angular distribution of beta emission in detection of NMR of nuclei oriented at low temperatures is reported. The magnetic moments of the single valence particle, intermediate mass, isotopes 67Ni(nup(-1)(1/2);1/2(-)) and 69Cu(pip(1)(3/2);3/2(-)) are measured to be +0.601(5) &mgr;(N) and +2.84(1) &mgr;(N), respectively, revealing only a small deviation from the neutron p(1/2) single-particle value in the former and a large deviation from the proton p(3/2) single-particle value in the latter. Quantitative interpretation is given in terms of core polarization and meson-exchange currents.

Abstract:

X-ray bursts have been suggested as a possible site for the astrophysical rp-process. The time scale for the process is governed by β-decay half-lives of several even-even N = Z waiting point nuclei, in particular, N = Z = 40 80Zr. A 4.1((+0.8)(-0.6))-s β+/EC half-life for 80Zr was determined by observing delayed 84-keV γ rays depopulating a T1/2 = 4-μs isomer at 312 keV in the daughter 80Y. As this half-life is lower than many previously predicted values, the calculated excessive production of A = 80 nuclides in astrophysical x-ray burst scenarios is reduced, and less extreme conditions are necessary for the production of heavier nuclides. © 2000 The American Physical Society.