Universal origin of heavy elements

The abundance of heavy elements above iron through the rapid neutron capture process or r-process is intimately related to the competition between neutron capture and $\beta$ decay rates, which ultimately depends on the binding energy of atomic nuclei. The well-known Bethe-Weizsacker semi-empirical mass formula describes the binding energy of ground states in nuclei with temperatures of T~0 MeV, where the nuclear symmetry energy saturates between 23-26 MeV. Here we find a larger saturation energy of ~30 MeV for nuclei at T~0.7-1.3 MeV, which corresponds to the typical temperatures where seed elements are created during the cooling down of the ejecta following neutron-star mergers and collapsars. This large symmetry energy yields a reduction of the binding energy per nucleon for neutron-rich nuclei; hence, the close in of the neutron dripline, where nuclei become unbound. This finding constrains exotic paths in the nucleosynthesis of heavy elements -- as supported by microscopic calculations of radiative neutron-capture rates -- and further supports the universal origin of heavy elements, as inferred from the abundances in extremely metal-poor stars and meteorites.

Introduction of a C6D6 detector system on the Back-n of CSNS

Radiative neutron capture cross sections are very important in the field of basic physics research and nuclear device R&D. The Back-n white neutron beam line of China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) is the first spallation neutron beam line in China. On the purpose for radiative neutron capture cross section measurement, a C6D6 detector system was built in the Back-n experimental station. The pulse height weighting technique (PHWT) was used to make the system’s detective efficiency independent of the cascade path and the energy of cascade gamma rays. The neutron energy spectrum was measured for the energy between 1eV and 80keV with a 6Li loaded ZnS scintillation detector. Besides, a testing experiment with 197Au and 169Tm samples was carried out to examine this system. According to the preliminary results, this C6D6 detector system can be used to perform neutron capture cross section measurement.

Conditions for Population of Energy Levels Inversion when Active Medium Based on Gadolinium Isotopes Gd155 and Gd156 Couple Neutron Pumping

The paper theoretically studies the possibility of energy transformation of fast and epithermal neutrons to energy of coherent photon radiation at the expense of a neutron pumping of the active medium formed by nucleus with longliving isomerous states. The channel of the nucleus formation in isomeric state as a daughter nucleus resulting from the nuclear reaction of neutron capture by a lighter nucleus is taken into consideration for the first time. Assessment of neutron flux spectrum parameters providing transition from the main state into one of the excited ones for the nuclei of isotopes54Xe130,10Ne22is made. It was shown that to transit the isotope nuclei into the excited state by forward neutron scattering on the nuclei it is necessary to “select” the isotopes not only with great specific energy of nucleons coupling but also with a small value of the neutron absorption cross section. Moreover, the paper performs the analysis of cross sections dependence of radiative neutron capture by the nuclei of gadolinium isotopes Gd155and Gd156. As a result, the speed of Gd156nuclei formation is stated to exceed the speed of their “burnup” in the neutron flux. It is provided by a unique combination of absorbing properties of two isotopes of gadolinium Gd155 and Gd156 in both thermal and resonance regions of neutron energy. We have formulated the conditions required for making isotope nuclei excited by forward neutron scattering on nuclei and for storing nuclei in excited states. The relation which allows estimating processes parameters of neutron capture by nuclei, formation and decay of nuclei isomeric states is obtained as a result of analytical solution of differential equations system of nuclide kinetics taking into account the decay of nuclei isomeric states. The paper makes the possibility analysis of neutron pumping of the participating medium created by the hafnium isotope nuclei. The properties of hafnium isotopes nuclei is found to do not allow providing conditions for population inversion of energy levels due to the formation of hafnium nuclei in isomeric state Hf178m2in the neutron flux. The paper shows the possibility of excess energy accumulation in the participating medium created by the nuclei of the pair of gadolinium isotopes Gd155and Gd156due to formation and storage of nuclei in isomeric state at radiative neutron capture by the nuclei of the stable isotope with a smaller mass. It is concluded that when the active medium created by gadolinium nuclei is pumped by neutrons with the flux density of the order of 1013cm-2·s-1, the condition of levels population inversion can be achieved in a few tens of seconds. The wave length of the radiation generated by the medium is 0.0006 nm. Sintered ceramics Gd2O3based on enriched in the 155-th isotope of gadolinium can be considered a possible active medium. Thus, there is a possibility of creation of the laser techniques of new generation with the parameters providing its application in pulse power engineering of the future.