First Measurement of the $B(E2; 3/2^- rightarrow 1/2^-)$ Transition Strength in $^7$Be: Testing Ab Initio Predictions for $A=7$ Nuclei

Electromagnetic observables are able to give insight into collective and emergent features in nuclei, including nuclear clustering. These observables also provide strong constraints for ab initio theory, but comparison of these observables between theory and experiment can be difficult due to the lack of convergence for relevant calculated values, such as $E2$ transition strengths. By comparing the ratios of $E2$ transition strengths for mirror transitions, we find that a wide range of ab initio calculations give robust and consistent predictions for this ratio. To experimentally test the validity of these ab initio predictions, we performed a Coulomb excitation experiment to measure the $B(E2; 3/2^- rightarrow 1/2^-)$ transition strength in $^7$Be for the first time. A $B(E2; 3/2^- rightarrow 1/2^-)$ value of $26(6)(3) , e^2 mathrm{fm}^4$ was deduced from the measured Coulomb excitation cross section. This result is used with the experimentally known $^7$Li $B(E2; 3/2^- rightarrow 1/2^-)$ value to provide an experimental ratio to compare with the ab initio predictions. Our experimental value is consistent with the theoretical ratios within $1 sigma$ uncertainty, giving experimental support for the value of these ratios. Further work in both theory and experiment can give insight into the robustness of these ratios and their physical meaning.

Remeasuring the anomalously enhanced $B(E2; 2^+ rightarrow 1^+)$ in $^8$Li and comparison to textit{ab initio} predictions

The large reported $E2$ strength between the $2^+$ ground state and $1^+$ first excited state of $^8$Li, $B(E2; 2^+ rightarrow 1^+)= 55(15)$ e$^2$fm$^4$, presents a puzzle. Unlike in neighboring $A=7-9$ isotopes, where enhanced $E2$ strengths may be understood to arise from deformation as rotational in-band transitions, the $2^+rightarrow1^+$ transition in $^8$Li cannot be understood in any simple way as a rotational in-band transition. Moreover, the reported strength exceeds textit{ab initio} predictions by an order of magnitude. In light of this discrepancy, we revisited the Coulomb excitation measurement of this strength, now using particle-$gamma$ coincidences, yielding a revised $B(E2; 2^+ rightarrow 1^+)$ of $25(8)(3)$ e$^2$fm$^4$. We explore how this value compares to what might be expected in rotational, Elliott SU(3), and textit{ab initio} descriptions, including no-core shell model (NCSM) calculations with various internucleon interactions. While the present value is a factor of $2$ smaller than previously reported, it remains anomalously enhanced.

The Notre-Dame Cube: An active-target time-projection chamber for radioactive beam experiments and detector development

Active-target detectors have the potential to address the difficulties associated with the low intensities of radioactive beams. We have developed an active-target detector, the Notre Dame Cube (ND-Cube), to perform experiments with radioactive beams produced at $mathit{TwinSol}$ and to aid in the development of active-target techniques. Various aspects of the ND-Cube and its design were characterized. The ND-Cube was commissioned with a $^{7}$Li beam for measuring $^{40}$Ar + $^{7}$Li fusion reaction cross sections and investigating $^{7}$Li($alpha$,$alpha$)$^{7}$Li scattering events. The ND-Cube will be used to study a range of reactions using light radioactive ions produced at low energy.