No Arabic abstract
Using a mulit-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph (MRTOF-MS) located after a gas cell coupled with the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II, the masses of several heavy nuclei have been directly and precisely measured. The nuclei were produced via fusion-evaporation reactions and separated from projectile-like and target-like particles using GARIS-II before being stopped in a helium-filled gas cell. Time-of-flight spectra for three isobar chains, 205Fr-205Rn-205At-205Po, 206Fr-206Rn-206At and 201Rn-201At-201Po-201Bi, were observed. Precision atomic mass values were determined for 205,206Fr, 201At, and 201Po.
A multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph, competitive with Penning trap mass spectrometers, has been built at RIKEN. We have performed a first online mass measurement, using 8Li+ (T1/2 = 838 ms). A new analysis method has been realized, with which, using only 12C+ references, the mass excess of 8Li was accurately determined to be 20947.6(15)(34) keV (dm/m = 6.6 x 10-7). The speed, precision and accuracy of this first online measurement exemplifies the potential for using this new type of mass spectrograph for precision measurements of short-lived nuclei.
The masses of $^{246}$Es, $^{251}$Fm and the transfermium nuclei $^{249-252}$Md, and $^{254}$No, produced by hot- and cold-fusion reactions, in the vicinity of the deformed $N=152$ neutron shell closure, have been directly measured using a multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph. The masses of $^{246}$Es and $^{249,250,252}$Md were measured for the first time. Using the masses of $^{249,250}$Md as anchor points for $alpha$ decay chains, the masses of heavier nuclei, up to $^{261}$Bh and $^{266}$Mt, were determined. These new masses were compared with theoretical global mass models and demonstrated to be in good agreement with macroscopic-microscopic models in this region. The empirical shell gap parameter $delta_{2n}$ derived from three isotopic masses was updated with the new masses and corroborate the existence of the deformed $N=152$ neutron shell closure for Md and Lr.
High-precision mass measurements of $^{63}$Cu, $^{64-66}$Zn, $^{65}$Ga, $^{65-67}$Ge, $^{67}$As, $^{78,81}$Br, $^{80}$Rb, and $^{79}$Sr were performed utilizing a multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph combined with the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II. In the case of $^{65}$Ga, a mass uncertainty of 2.1 keV, corresponding to a relative precision of $delta m / m = 3.5times10^{-8}$, was obtained and the mass value is in excellent agreement with the 2016 Atomic Mass Evaluation. For $^{67}$Ge and $^{81}$Br, where masses were previously deduced through indirect measurements, discrepancies with literature values were found. The feasibility of using this device for mass measurements of nuclides more neutron-deficient side, which have significant impact on the $rp$-process pathway, is discussed.
The location of electron capture heat sources in the crust of accreting neutron stars depends on the masses of extremely neutron-rich nuclei. We present first results from a new implementation of the time-of-flight technique to measure nuclear masses of rare isotopes at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The masses of 16 neutron-rich nuclei in the scandium -- nickel range were determined simultaneously, improving the accuracy compared to previous data in 12 cases. The masses of $^{61}${V}, $^{63}${Cr}, $^{66}${Mn}, and $^{74}${Ni} were measured for the first time with mass excesses of $-30.510(890)$ MeV, $-35.280(650)$ MeV, $-36.900(790)$ MeV, and $-49.210(990)$ MeV, respectively. With the measurement of the $^{66}$Mn mass, the locations of the two dominant electron capture heat sources in the outer crust of accreting neutron stars that exhibit superbursts are now experimentally constrained. We find that the location of the $^{66}$Fe$rightarrow^{66}$Mn electron capture transition occurs significantly closer to the surface than previously assumed because our new experimental Q-value is 2.1 MeV (2.6$sigma$) smaller than predicted by the FRDM mass model.
The FRS-ESR facilities at GSI provide unique conditions for precision measurements with stored exotic nuclei over a large range in the chart of nuclides. In the present experiment the exotic nuclei were produced via fragmentation of $^{152}$Sm projectiles in a thick beryllium target at 500-600 MeV/u, separated in-flight with the fragment separator FRS, and injected into the storage-cooler ring ESR. Mass and lifetime measurements have been performed with bare and few-electron ions. The experiment and first results will be presented in this contribution.