BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//CERN//INDICO//EN BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Electromagnetic and rare isotope knockout reactions as complementa ry and adjustable lenses for a quest in understanding nuclei DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T145500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T152000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3346@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Paul Gueye (Facility for Rare Isotope Beams/Michigan State University)\nElectron scattering and rare isotopes are unique compl ementary techniques that provide powerful magnifying glasses to probe the interactions between nucleons inside nuclei. Over more than a quarter cent ury\, the 4 GeV and now 12 GeV (un)polarized electron beam of the Thomas J efferson National Accelerator Facility (Newport News\, Virginia\, USA) has unraveled unprecedented insights into nuclear physics such as nucleons co rrelations and parton distributions\, using (e\,e’p) and (e\,e’n) reac tions on various targets. On May 10\, 2022\, the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (East Lansing\, Michigan\, USA) started its highly anticipated expe rimental nuclear astrophysics program\, opening a new window into our curr ent understanding of a large number of predicted unstable (neutron and pro ton rich) nuclei. One of its main contributors is the MoNA Collaboration c omposed of primarily undergraduate institutions that has established itsel f as one of the dominant groups in the study of neutron-rich nuclei using (primarily) nucleon knockout reactions and the invariant mass technique. S cientific discoveries have historically been rooted in the desire for some to take on a quest to tackle the unknown\, often with relentless commitme nts and efforts\, and sometimes bold actions that have proven to uncover n ew pathways. This talk will provide some brief reviews on the role and suc cesses as well as future prospects of nuclear physics experiments and theo ries at these facilities as they pertain to my journey in becoming a nucle ar physicist\, including programs to broaden participation for workforce d evelopment in nuclear science.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/con tributions/3346/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3346/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Searching for the Soft Monopole DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T103500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T105000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3446@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Retief Neveling (iThemba LABS)\nThe isospin asymmetr y of neutron-rich nuclei is expected to impact the excitation energy spect ra of such nuclei. The resulting exotic excitation modes which may occur a re thus considered to be related to the existence of a neutron excess. The soft monopole resonance\, simplistically viewed as the compression of dil ute neutron matter in the region of the neutron skin\, represents a possib le excitation mode occurring due to neutron excess. Theoretical calculatio ns predicted that the mode exists in neutron-rich\, however\, there has no t been a lot of experimental work studying the soft monopole excitation. A possible method for the observation of this excitation mode through inela stic alpha scattering will be explored.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/even t/119/contributions/3446/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3446/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Production and study of neutron rich heavy nuclei. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T102000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T103500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3390@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sergey Zemlyanoy (Joint Institute for Nuclear Resear ch)\nThe heavy neutron rich nuclei are very important for nuclear physics investigations\, for the understanding of astrophysical nucleosynthesis an d r-process. In this region is located the closed neutron shell N=126 whic h is the last so-called “waiting point”. Study of the structural prope rties of nuclei along the neutron shell N = 126 could also contribute to t he present discussion of the quenching of shell gaps in nuclei with large neutron excess.\n\nA new setup\, based on stopping nuclei in the gas cell and subsequent resonance laser ionization and separation by magnetic field is under stage of realization at Flerov lab. JINR. This setup is devoted to synthesis and study of new neutron rich heavy nuclei formed in low ener gy multi-nucleon transfer reactions.\n\nA creation and launch of this faci lity will open a new field of research in low-energy heavy-ion physics\, a nd new horizons in the study of unexplored “north-east” area of the nu clear map. It could be helpful also for finding a new way for production o f heavy and superheavy nuclei.\n\nThe current status of this investigation and its possible extension to the superheavy elements in combination with MR-TOF and Penning trap mass measurement will be discussed.\n\nhttps://in dico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3390/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3390/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Mass measurement of the low-lying isomeric states in 100Y and 102Y DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T103500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T105000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3366@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Alison Bruce (University of Brighton)\nBeta-decaying \, high-spin\, spin-trap isomers have been observed in 96Y\, 98Y and 100Y with half-lives ranging from 9 to 0.9 seconds [Ab08\,Ch20\,Si21]. However\ , in 102Y there are two beta-decaying states which have similar half lives (t 1/2 = 360(40) ms [Sh83] and 300(10) ms [Hi91]) and a small energy diff erence\, making it difficult to measure their relative energy and to ascer tain if the high-spin state is the ground state or the isomeric state. Thi s presentation will report on the use of the Phase Imaging – Ion cyclotr on Resonance (PI-ICR) method [El13] at the JYFLTRAP double Penning trap at the IGISOL facility at the University of Jyväskylä\, Finland to measure the relative energies of the beta-decaying states in 102Y and re-measure 100Y.\n\nThe nuclei of interest were produced via nuclear fission of 238U using a 30 MeV proton beam. In 100Y a value of 147.8(42) keV has been meas ured for the excitation energy of the isomeric state\, which overlaps with the previously measured value of 145(15) keV [Ha07] and reduces the exper imental error by a factor of 4. In 102Y the closeness in energy of the 2 s tates makes the analysis quite complicated and although the two states wer e not fully separated\, the observed mass distribution can be fitted with a bi-modal distribution which indicates an excitation energy of 12.3 (16) keV for the isomeric state. Details of the experiment and of the analysis procedures will be discussed.\n\nReferences\n\n[Ab08] D.Abriola and A.A.So nzogni\, Nuclear Data Sheets 109 (2008) 2501.\n[Ch20] J.Chen and B.Singh\, Nuclear Data Sheets 164 (2020) 1.\n[El13] S.Eliseev et al.\, Applied Phys ics B: Lasers and Optics 114 (2013) 396.\n[Ha07] U.Hager et al.\, Nuclear Physics A793 (2007) 20.\n[Hi91] John C. Hill et al.\, Physical Review C43 (1991) 2591.\n[Sh83] K.Shizuma et al.\, Physical Review C27 (1983) 2869.\n [Si21] B.Singh and J.Chen\, Nuclear Data Sheets 172 (2021) 1.\n\nhttps://i ndico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3366/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3366/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Properties of nuclei beyond 132Sn: importance for nuclear physics and astrophysics DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T095500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T101000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3392@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Radomira Lozeva ()\nNeutron-rich nuclei close to the r-process path and waiting point nuclei give extremely essential informat ion about intrinsic nuclear properties vital both for nuclear physics and for astrophysics. They reveal how structure effects are of importance for theoretical modeling and can be crucial to understand deviations of micros copic-macroscopic self-consistent models treating both neutron and gamma e mission [1\,2] from data. \n\nSuch studies can be performed on long-lived excited and ground states\, predominantly disintegrating by beta decay bei ng on the neutron-excess side of the stability line. Some of the nuclei in the neighborhood of 132Sn\, although exotic and neutron-rich\, have rathe r simple structures dominated by shell effects and the evolution of low-ly ing proton-neutron orbitals [3\,4]. Furthermore\, these effects are possib le to study in beta-decay coincidences with gamma-ray detection. Recently\ , we performed several investigations reporting on structure [3-6] and als o FF/GT rates and Pn\, P2n ratios by spectroscopy [4\,6]. Confronted with purely neutron-emission detection methods and T1/2 measurements [8\,9]\, t hey provide complementary and rather complete data sets to better describe astrophysical scenarios away from the stability line. Examples will be pr esented in this work together with\, whenever available from the structura l point of view\, a theoretical picture. \n\n[1] P. Möller et al.\, At. D at. Nucl. Dat. Tabl. 125\, 1 (2019).\n[2] F. Minato et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 104\, 044321 (2021).\n[3] R. Lozeva et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 93\, 014316 (201 6).\n[4] R. Lozeva et al.\, Phys.Rev. C 98\, 024323 (2018).\n[5] G. Häfne r et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 104\, 014316 (2021)\n[6] M. Si et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 106\, 014302 (2022).\n[7] V. Phong et al.\, Phys. Rev. Lett. 129\, 1727 01 (2022).\n[8] J. Liang et al. Nucl Dat. Sh. 168\, 1 (2020).\n\nhttps://i ndico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3392/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3392/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:What can we learn from the electromagnetic dipole response respons e in atomic nuclei? DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T134000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T140500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3444@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mathis Wiedeking (University of the Witwatersrand an d iThemba LABS)\nThe gamma-ray decay of nuclear states in the quasi-contin uum offers valuable insights into nuclear structure effects and constraint s on nucleosynthesis processes. Measurement of Nuclear Level Densities (NL Ds) and Photon Strength Functions (PSFs) has played a pivotal role\, and w ill continue to do so\, as we enter a highly promising era for innovative measurements. This is primarily due to the establishment of advanced resea rch infrastructure by numerous institutes worldwide. These institutes have made significant enhancements to particle and gamma-ray detection efficie ncies\, as well as the development or upgrade of radioactive ion beam faci lities. Concurrently\, new experimental and analytical techniques have eme rged\, enabling more reliable studies of PSFs and NLDs\, even for unstable nuclei. This progress undoubtedly promises unparalleled insights into nuc lear structure and provides crucial reaction rates for nucleosynthesis pro cesses. \n\nIn this presentation\, I will provide an overview of the major experimental and analytical advancements made and how they have laid the groundwork for ambitious measurements of PSFs and NLDs at radioactive and stable ion beam facilities. Additionally\, I will discuss recent progress in investigating the nuclear structure underlying resonances\, with a part icular focus on the scissor's mode and the unexplained low-energy enhancem ent. The measurement of PSFs and NLDs also significantly enhance our under standing of nucleosynthesis processes\, as will be demonstrated.\n\nThis w ork is supported by the National Research Foundation of South Africa under grant number 118840.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contribution s/3444/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3444/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Universe in the Laboratory DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T122500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T125000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3351@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Karlheinz Langanke (GSI Darmstadt)\n"Astrophysics is applied nuclear physics". This statement of Willy Fowler\, the father of nuclear astrophysics\, summarizes that nuclear processes are at the origin of the synthesis of the elements in the Universe and also the engine of t he astrophysical objects which produce them. This includes the synthesis o f the lightest elements during the Big Bang\, but also the evolution of st ars during their long lifetimes spent in hydrostatical equilibrium. Driven by novel astronomical observational tools\, much focus has been recently put on extreme astrophysical objects like supernovae\, neutron stars and t heir mergers. These events involve conditions of temperature\, density and also neutron excess which present a challenge to study the related nuclea r physics in the laboratory. However\, modern facilities\, operational and planned\, promise decisive breakthroughs in the near future. It will be p ossible at FAIR to create matter by ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions which correspond to the density/temperature regime reached in neutron sta r mergers or core-collapse supernovae. At radioactive ion-beam facilities\ , like RIKEN\, FRIB und later FAIR\, it is possible to produce and study m any of the short-lived neutron-rich nuclei which determine the dynamics of r-process nucleosynthesis. Due to the milestone event GW170817 neutron st ar mergers have been established as one astrophysical site of the r-proces s.\nSimulations of such events are formidable challenges due to the strong interplay of nuclear\, neutrino and atomic physics.\n\nThe talk will intr oduce the astrophysical events and discuss the nuclear\nchallenges and fut ure perspectives.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/33 51/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3351/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Experiments to constrain neutron-capture rates for the intermediat e and the rapid neutron-capture process DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T120000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T122500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3432@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ann-Cecilie Larsen (University of Oslo)\nGreat progr ess has been made regarding our understanding of heavy-element nucleosynth esis in recent years. In particular\, the 2017 discovery of a neutron-star merger with its kilonova confirmed that such astrophysical sites can prod uce heavy elements through the rapid neutron-capture process. At the same time\, as more and more high-quality observations become available\, the h eavy-element nucleosynthesis puzzle becomes more and more complex. For exa mple\, some very old stars in the Galactic halo show peculiar element dist ributions that might only be explained invoking an intermediate neutron-ca pture process. \n\nIn this talk\, some aspects of the rapid and intermedia te neutron-capture processes will be discussed\, with particular emphasis on neutron-capture rates that are crucial for realistic abundance calculat ions. Experimental efforts to obtain indirect constraints of these rates b y means of the Oslo method and the beta-Oslo method will be presented.\n\n https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3432/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3432/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Study of internal structures of 9\,10Be and 10B in scattering of 2 H and 6Li from 9Be DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T093000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T095500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3331@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sergey Lukyanov (FLNR)\nAngular distributions for th e 9Be(d\,d)9Be\, 9Be(d\,p)10Be\, 9Be(d\,t)8Be\, and 9Be(d\,4He)7Li channel s were measured [1]. Experimental angular distributions were described wit hin the optical model\, the coupled channel approach\, and the distorted w ave Born approximation. The spectroscopic factors for the systems 9Be =alp ha+ 5He and 7Li = d + 5He are close to unity\, which confirms the contribu tion of the considered cluster configurations to the structure of ground s tates. The analysis shows that the contribution of the compound nucleus me chanism is negligible. In the (d\, 4He) channel\, the deuteron transfer pr ovides only a small contribution\, whereas a relatively large contribution of 5He transfer was found.\nThe results of recent experiment on studying nucleon and cluster transfer processes in the reactions of the 6Li (68 MeV ) ions with the 9Be target nuclei are reported. The angular distributions for the reaction channels 9Be(6Li\,4He)11Bg.s.\, and\n9Be(6Li\,10B)5Heg.s. have been measured. To describe the possible contributions of\nsequential transfer of nucleon and alpha clusters\, as direct transfer of the 5He cl uster\, the Coupled Reaction Channel method (FRESCO)[2] is used. The spect roscopic\namplitudes are obtained for the configurations of (9Be+d) and (6 Li+5He) in the 11B\nnucleus and (6Li+4He) in the 10B nucleus. The results indicate a strong correlation\nbetween a neutron and an \, leading to the formation of the 5He-cluster in the transfer processes. Figure shows the e xperimental differential cross sections for cluster transfer in the reacti on channel 9Be(6Li\,4He)11Bg.s. (circles) compared with the results of cal culations (curves). In the case of 5He transfer\, the following mechanisms were taken into account: simultaneous transfer (5He) and sequential trans fer (n+4He and 4He+n). The probability of the sequential transfer (alpha-n or n-alpha) is much lower than that for the process of the simultaneous t ransfer of 5He over the entire range of angles.\n[1] S. Lukyanov et al .\, J.Phys.(London) G41\, 035102 (2014).\n[2] http://nrv.jinr.ru\n\nhttps://i ndico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3331/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3331/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Recent progresses and perspective of RI Beam Factory DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T090500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T093000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3333@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Daisuke Suzuki (RIKEN Nishina Center)\nThe RI Beam F actory (RIBF) is a third-generation in-flight facility\, designed and opti mized for the RI beam production by uranium fission. High intensity beams available over a wide region of the nuclear chart by the BigRIPS separator \, together with the three spectrometers\, namely ZeroDegree\, Samurai and SHARAQ/OEDO each having a specific advantage\, make a powerful platform f or reaction studies with fast RI beams. New initiatives aimed at advancing reaction studies at the RIBF have been taken in the last few years. One i s that the energy-degrading RI beamline OEDO has been launched. Energy-deg raded RI beams from OEDO provide various reaction opportunities down to th e energy regime of about 10 MeV/u\, far lower than the nominal secondary b eam energies of the RIBF from 200 to 300 MeV/u. Another initiative is the HiCARI campaign at ZeroDegree\, which introduced tracking-type germanium d etectors\, for the first time\, for in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy at the RIBF. \nThese initiatives not only provide fruitful scientific outcomes in terms of shell evolution or nucleosynthesis\, but also lay a foundation f or in-beam reaction studies toward the RIBF facility upgrade envisioned in near future\, where the uranium beam intensity presently at about100 pnA will increase to 2\,000 pnA. \nIn this talk\, I will overview recent progr esses at the RIBF and perspective with the RIBF facility upgrade.\n\nhttps ://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3333/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3333/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Physics results with the ultimate AGATA-MUGAST-VAMOS setup and ISO L beams at GANIL DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T094000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T100500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3345@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Daniele Mengoni (Universita e INFN\, Padova)\nThe AG ATA-MUGAST-VAMOS set-up\, which was recently available at GANIL\nfor a dir ect reaction campaign\, combined the state-of-the-art gamma-ray\ntracking array AGATA with the highly-segmented silicon array MUGAST and\nthe large- acceptance magnetic spectrometer VAMOS. The mechanical and\nelectronics in tegration provided a maximum efficiency for each device.\nThe superb sensi tivity of the complete set-up offered a unique\nopportunity to perform exc lusive measurements of direct reactions with\nradioactive beams delivered by the SPIRAL1 facility at GANIL\, France. \n\nAn experimental campaign us ing radioactive ISOL beams was performed\nduring 2019-2021 using the cutti ng-edge combined setup\, covering\nphysics cases ranging from oxygen-14 to argon-46\, and topics from\nnuclear structure and dynamics to astrophysic s. \n\nIn this contribution I'll review the performance of the setup an fo cus\non high-impact physics results of the experimental campaign.\n\nhttps ://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3345/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3345/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Measurement of gamma-rays emission cross-sections in neutron-induc ed reactions in SiO2 sample DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T100500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T102000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3391@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Polina Filonchik (JINR\, MIPT)\nSilicon is one of th e important elements used in modern technics. Information about gamma-rays spectrum of silicon can be used in elemental analysis of various objects. The usage of compact D-T neutron generators with an energy of 14.1 MeV ma kes it possible to create compact portable setups\, as well as to implemen t the tagged neutrons method by detecting the accompanying alpha particle emitted in the $T(D\,n)\\alpha$ reaction. In this work gamma-rays cross-se ctions of $(n\,Xγ)$ reactions induced by 14.1 MeV neutrons in $SiO_2$ sam ple were measured using new experimental setup in the framework of the TAN GRA project experimental program.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/ contributions/3391/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3391/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Experimental investigation of the (n\,xγ) reactions using tagged neutron method DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T095000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T100500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3389@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nikita Fedorov (JINR)\nNeutron-induced reactions is a unique tool for investigation of the structure of the atomic nuclei. Ana lysis of the neutron inelastic scattering data as well as information abou t processes with charged particle emission allows one to estimate shape an d radii of nuclei and deduce the reaction mechanism. \n The γ-radiation e mitted by excited products of neutron-induced reactions carries informatio n about their properties. Precise information about spectra of γ-quanta a nd cross-sections of their emission are important for modeling of nuclear facilities\, improvement of well logging technique and development of comp act setups for elemental analysis. The currently available data is replete with inaccuracies and incomplete [1].\n A new experimental setup for meas urement of the γ-quanta emission cross-sections was constructed in the fr amework of the TANGRA (Tagged Neutrons & Gamma Rays) project based on the 9-years experience [2-6]. Usage of the tagged neutron method significantly decrease the amount of background events and requires specific data proce ssing procedures and impacts on the experimental setup structure.\n The d esign of the new experimental setup and data processing features will be d iscussed.\nThis work is supported by the RSCF grant 23-12-00239.\n 1. S . P. Simakov et al. Status of Experimental and Evaluated Discrete Gamma-Ra y Production at En=14.5 MeV. IAEA\, Vienna\, Austria. 1998.\n 2. I.N. R uskov et al.\, Phys. Proc. 64\, 163 (2015).\n 3. D.N. Grozdanov et al.\ , Phys. Atom. Nucl. 5\, 588 (2018).\n 4. N.A. Fedorov\, D.N. Grozdanov\ , V.M. Bystritsky et al.\, Eur. Phys. J. Web of Conf. 177\, 02002 (2018).\ n 5. N.A. Fedorov et al.\, Phys. Atom. Nucl. 82\, 343 (2019).\n 6. N .A. Fedorov et al.\, EPJ A 57\, 194 (2021).\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/ event/119/contributions/3389/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3389/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Physics results and perspectives at GANIL/SPIRAL2 DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T092500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T095000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3438@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Hervé Savajols (GANIL)\nGANIL/SPIRAL2 presently off ers unique opportunities in nuclear physics and in many other fields that arise from not only the provision of low-energy stable beams\, fragmentati on beams\, re-accelerated radioactive species\, and recently neutron beams but also from the availability of a wide range of state-of-the-art spectr ometers and instrumentation. A few examples of recent highlights will be p resented together with upcoming new scientific opportunities with ongoing projects.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3438/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3438/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Compact detectors for high energy neutron spectrometry DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T090000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T092500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3338@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tanya Hutton (University of Cape Town)\nThere contin ues to be a growing need for new compact neutron spectrometers\, driven ma inly by the requirements for dosimetry in hadron therapy\, aircraft\, spac ecraft\, future extra-terrestrial bases\, and around high energy accelerat or facilities. For dosimetry in the upper atmosphere and in space\, neutro ns in the energy range exceeding 100 MeV need to be measured. Since neutro ns are seldom present without gamma rays\, any useful detector is requ ired to be able to discriminate between the two radiation types. \n\nThree technological developments have reinvigorated the deployment of hydrocarb on-based detectors in non-laboratory environments. The advent of solid ( “plastic”) polyvinyltoluene-based detectors\, which exhibit pulse shap e discrimination (PSD) capabilities\, remove many practical challenges and hazards associated with traditional liquid scintillators. Furthermore\, t he emergence of the small form-factor and low voltage silicon photomultipl ier (SiPM) facilitates the design of compact devices\, and digital data ac quisition and processing systems allows PSD and spectrometry to be impleme nted in dynamically optimised software or firmware. \n\nNeutron spectromet ry outside of accelerator facilities is realised through unfolding\, where the energy spectrum is deconvolved from the measured light output spectru m using a set of mono-energetic detector response functions. For neutron e nergies below 20 MeV\, a detector response matrix can reliably be pro duced using Monte Carlo radiation transport codes. Due to insufficie nt data regarding the neutron interaction cross sections above 20 MeV t he detector response can only be measured directly at reference neutron facilities such as iThemba LABS (South Africa)\, where nanosecond pulsed neutron beams are produced in the energy range of 30-200 MeV.\n\nWe prese nt characterisations of newly developed compact neutron spectrometers base d on EJ-276 plastic scintillators\, coupled to one or more SiPMs\, and ill ustrate the use of various designs of these detectors for spectrometry bas ed on the unfolding of light output spectra using both simulated and measu red response matrices.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributio ns/3338/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3338/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Microscopic analysis of proton-nucleus scattering data at energies from 200 to 1000 MeV DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T080500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T082000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3388@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Elena Zemlyanaya (Joint Institute for Nuclear Resear ch\, Dubna\, Russia)\nThe cross sections of proton-nucleus scattering at e neries from 200 to 1000 MeV are calculated within the microscopic model of folding optical potential. Such potential is determined by the amplitude of scattering of an incident proton on the bound nuclear nucleon which its elf depends on three parameters\, namely the total nucleon-nucleon scatter ing cross section\, the ratio of real to imaginary parts of the scattering amplitude at forward angles\, and also the slope parameter. These "inmedi um" scattering amplitude parameters are adjusted to the experimental data on elastic proton-nucleus scattering and compared with the "free" ones kno wn from analysis of proton-nucleoun scattering data. Such analysis allows one to estimate effect on nuclear matter on the scattering amplitude.\n\nh ttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3388/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3388/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Study of isoscalar giant monopole resonance in tin isotopes DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T075000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T080500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3370@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Rani Devi (University of Jammu)\nThe investigation o f compressional-mode giant resonances\, specifically the isoscalar giant m onopole resonance (GMR)\, continues to captivate the interest of nuclear p hysicists. This research is centered on the meticulous analysis of isoscal ar monopole resonances within the 112-124Sn isotopic mass chain\, aiming t o glean profound insights into nuclear matter compressibility. The lingeri ng disparity between experimentally observed GMR energies and theoretical calculations has sparked a fundamental question: Why do theoretical predic tions tend to overestimate experimental values\, and which interaction mod el offers the most accurate depiction of empirical data.\nIn this study\, the power of the relativistic Quasiparticle Finite Amplitude Method has be en harnessed to systematically explore the intricate characteristics of is oscalar monopole strength across the 112-124Sn isotopic mass chain. To ach ieve this\, a systematic calculation has been performed to obtain strength functions and centroid energies by utilizing the density-dependent meson- exchange and point coupling parameterizations in an axially deformed harm onic oscillator basis. This approach enabled us to discern nuanced pattern s in the isoscalar monopole resonance and assess its behavior with respect to different interactions. The obtained results are compared with the exp erimental data and other available theoretical approaches. For the specif ic case of 116Sn\, the results are compared with the theoretical predictio ns derived from Skyrme interactions. The findings indicate that the densit y-dependent meson-exchange interaction aligns well with the available expe rimental data\, outperforming other considered interactions. This highligh ts the efficacy of the relativistic Quasiparticle Finite Amplitude Method in conjunction with the density-dependent meson-exchange interaction for predicting GMR characteristics.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/co ntributions/3370/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3370/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Isoscalar giant monopole resonance in 24Mg and 28Si: Effect of cou pling between the isoscalar monopole and quadrupole strength DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T073500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T075000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3367@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Armand Bahini (iThemba LABS)\nBackground: In highly deformed nuclei\, there is a noticeable coupling of the Isoscalar Giant Mo nopole Resonance (ISGMR) and the $K = 0$ component of the Isoscalar Giant Quadrupole Resonance (ISGQR)\, which results in a double peak structure of the isoscalar monopole (IS0) strength (a narrow low-energy deformation-in duced peak and a main broad ISGMR part). The energy of the narrow low-lyin g IS0 peak is sensitive to both the incompressibility modulus $K_\\infty $ and the coupling between IS0 and isoscalar quadrupole (IS2) strength.\n\ nObjective: This study aims to investigate the two-peaked structure of th e ISGMR in the prolate $^{24}$Mg and oblate $^{28}$Si nuclei and identify among a variety of energy density functionals based on Skyrme parameterisa tions the one which best describes the experimental data. This will allow for conclusions regarding the nuclear incompressibility. Because of the st rong IS0/IS2 coupling\, the deformation splitting of the ISGQR will also b e analysed.\n\nMethods: The ISGMR was excited in $^{24}$Mg and $^{28}$Si u sing $\\alpha$-particle inelastic scattering measurements acquired with an $E_\\alpha = 196$ MeV beam at scattering angles $\\theta_{\\text{Lab}} = 0^\\circ$ and $4^\\circ$. The K$600$ magnetic spectrometer at iThemba LABS was used to detect and momentum analyse the inelastically scattered $\\al pha$ particles. An experimental energy resolution of $\\approx 70$ keV (FW HM) was attained\, revealing fine structure in the excitation-energy regio n of the ISGMR. The IS0 strength distributions in the nuclei studied were obtained with the Difference-of-Spectrum (DoS) technique. The theoretical comparison is based on the quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) with a representative set of Skyrme forces.\n\nResults: IS0 strength dist ributions for $^{24}$Mg and $^{28}$Si are extracted and compared to previo usly published results from experiments with a lower energy resolution. Wi th some exceptions\, a reasonable agreement is obtained. The IS0 strength is found to be separated into a narrow structure at about $13-14$ MeV in $ ^{24}$Mg\, $17-19$ MeV in $^{28}$Si and a broad structure at $19-26$ MeV i n both nuclei. The data are compared with QRPA results. The results of the calculated characteristics of IS0 states demonstrate the strong IS0/IS2 c oupling in strongly prolate $^{24}$Mg and oblate $^{28}$Si. The narrow IS0 peaks are shown to arise due to the deformation-induced IS0/IS2 coupling and strong collective effects. The cluster features of the narrow IS0 peak at $13.87$ MeV in $^{24}$Mg are also discussed. The best description of the IS0 data is obtained using the Skyrme force SkP$^\\delta$ with an asso ciated low nuclear incompressibility $K_\\infty = 202$ MeV allowing for b oth the energy of the peak and integral IS0 strength in $^{24}$Mg and $^{ 28}$Si to be reproduced. The features of the ISGQR in these nuclei are als o investigated. An anomalous deformation splitting of the ISGQR in oblate $^{28}$Si is found. The observed structure of ISGQR in $^{24}$Mg is descr ibed.\n\nConclusions: The ISGMR and ISGQR in light deformed nuclei are cou pled and thus need to be described simultaneously. Only such a description is relevant and consistent. The deformation-induced narrow IS0 peaks can serve as an additional sensitive measure of the nuclear incompressibility. \n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3367/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3367/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Extraction of level density of 2+ states in 208Pb and 120Sn nuclei from high energy-resolution (p\,p’) experiments DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T072000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T073500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3387@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Iyabo Usman (University of the Witwatersrand)\nThe l evel density of 2+ states in 208Pb and 120Sn nuclei have been extracted in the energy region of the isoscalar giant quadrupole resonance (ISGQR) fro m a fluctuation analysis of high-energy-resolution (p\,p’) data taken at incident energies of 200 MeV at the K600 magnetic spectrometer of iThemba LABS\, South Africa. The shape of the background was determined from the discrete wavelet transform of the spectra using a Discrete Wavelet Transfo rm (DWT) function normalized at the lowest particle separation threshold. The experimental results are compared with the available phenomenological and microscopic models. This forms part of important quantities used as in puts to the nuclear astrophysical calculations.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac .za/event/119/contributions/3387/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3387/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Neutron-proton pairing in the self-conjugate nuclei of the f-shel l through two-nucleon transfer reactions DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T065500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231203T072000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3337@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Marlène Assié (IJCLab)\nNeutron-proton pairing is the only pairing that can occur in the T=0 and the T=1 isospin channels. T =1 particle-like pairing (n-n or p-p) has been extensively studied unlike T=0 neutron-proton pairing. The over-binding of N=Z nuclei could be one of its manifestation.\n Neutron-proton pairing can be studied by spectroscop y as in ref.[1].We have here studied it through transfer reactions in orde r to get more insight into the relative intensities of the two aforementio ned channels. Indeed\, the cross-section of np pair transfer is expected t o be enhanced if the number of pairs contributing to the populated channel is important. The observable of interest is the ratio of the two-nucleon transfer cross-sections to the lowest 0+ and 1+ states. \n Neutron-proton pairing is predicted to be more important in N=Z nuclei with high J orbita ls so that the best nuclei would belong to the g9/2 shell [2]. However\, c onsidering the beam intensities in this region\, we have focussed on fp-sh ell nuclei.\n Measurements of the two-nucleon transfer reaction (p\,3He) w ere performed at GANIL with three radioactive beams produced by fragmentat ion and purified by the LISE spectrometer: 56Ni\, 52Fe\, 48Cr. The set-ups were based on the coupling of the MUST2 Silicon array for charged particl e detection with the EXOGAM gamma-ray array and a zero-degree detection (Z DD) for the last experiment.\n The two first measurements with 52Fe (N=Z=2 6) beam\, which is a partially occupied 0f7/2 shell nucleus and 56Ni (N=Z= 28) beam\, which has a fully occupied 0f7/2 shell allowed us to study np p airing according to shell occupancy [2]. The last measurement with 48Cr be am will allow to study the interplay between np pairing and deformation.\n I will present the cross-sections measured in both channels (T=0 and T=1) and discuss the consequence for each pairing channel. The aforementioned ratio of cross-sections and the angular distribution for the ground state of 54Co will be compared with DWBA calculations. Preliminary results for 4 8Cr(p\,3He) will also be presented.\n\n\n\n\n[1] B. Cederwall et al\, Natu re 469 (2011) 469.\n[2] B. Le Crom\, M. Assié et al\, Phys. Lett. B 829 ( 2022) 137057.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3337/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3337/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Quantifying uncertainties due to irreducible three-body forces in deuteron-nucleus reactions DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T143000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T145500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3344@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Linda Hlophe (Michigan State University and Los Alam os National Laboratory)\nDeuteron-induced nuclear reactions are typically described within a Faddeev three-body model consisting of a neutron\, prot on\, and the nucleus interacting through pairwise forces. While Faddeev te chniques enable the exact description of the three-body dynamics\, their p redictive power is limited in part by the omission of irreducible three-bo dy nucleon-nucleon-nucleus forces. An alternative approach for describing deuteron-nucleus reactions is ab initio theory\, where the system is descr ibed from first principles\, starting from individual nucleons and the int eractions amongst them. We adopt the ab initio no-core shell model (NCSM) coupled with the resonating group method (RGM) to compute microscopic nucl eon-nucleus interactions and use them to describe deuteron-induced reactio ns by means of momentum space Faddeev calculations\, beginning with $^2$H$ +$$^4$He scattering. Simultaneously\, we also carry out ab initio calculat ions of the same deuteron- induced scattering process within the NCSM/RGM approach. I will show that the effects of irreducible three-body forces ar ising from antisymmetrizing the six-nucleon system are significant and imp act bound state energies as well as cross sections. This observation paves the way for improved calculations of deuteron-nucleus reactions based on three-body Faddeev models.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contrib utions/3344/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3344/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Theoretical Description of Nuclear Fission DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T140500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T143000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3332@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sylvester Agbemava (FRIB/MSU)\nSylvester Agbemava1\, Eric Flynn1\,2\, Daniel Lay1\,2\, Kyle Godbey1\, Witold Nazarewicz1\,2\n\ n1FRIB Laboratory\, Michigan State University\, East Lansing\, Michigan 48 824\, USA.\n2Department of Physics and Astronomy\, Michigan State Universi ty\, East Lansing\, Michigan 48824\, USA.\n\n\nFission is a fundamental nu clear decay that plays an important role in many areas of science. Recentl y\, significant progress has been made in the microscopic modeling of the dynamics of spontaneous and induced fission based on nuclear density funct ional theory (DFT) [1]. The nuclear fission process is a dramatic example of large-amplitude collective motion in which the nucleus undergoes a seri es of shape changes before splitting into distinct fragments. Because of t he complexity of this process\, our understanding is still not complete.\n The simulation of independent and cumulative yields requires knowledge of the initial conditions of the fragments immediately after scission. We tak e a closer look at the microscopic description of nuclear fission within t he framework of nuclear density functional theory\, combining the multidim ensional minimization of the collective action for fission with a statisti cal approach rooted in a microcanonical ensemble to track the relevant fis sion paths from the ground-state configuration up to scission [2\, 3\, 4]. \n\n\nThis work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under Award No. DOE-DE-NA0002847 (NNSA\, the Stewardship Science Academic Alliances p rogram)\, DESC0013365 (Office of Science)\, and DE-SC0018083 (Office of Sc ience\, NUCLEI SciDAC-4 Collaboration)\n\n\n[1] M. Bender et al.\, J. Phys . G 47\, 113002 (2020).\n[2] J. Sadhukhan\, W. Nazarewicz\, and N. Schunck \, Phys. Rev C 93\, 011304(R) (2016) \n[3] N Schunck\, LM Robledo - Report s on Progress in Physics\, 2016\n[4] N Schunck\, D Duke\, H Carr\, A Knoll Phys Rev C 90\, 054305 (2014\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/cont ributions/3332/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3332/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear Physics DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T134000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T140500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3434@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Torri Jeske (Jefferson Lab)\nArtificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are rapidly developing fields providing da ta-driven algorithms to predict\, classify\, and make decisions based on d ata. Nuclear Physics Research is data-driven and AI/ML techniques have bee n implemented for experiment and accelerator control\, in theoretical appl ications\, and in data processing and analysis. These algorithms open poss ibilities for automation\, thereby augmenting human capabilities. Additio nally\, Open Science is enabled by simultaneous analyses of multiple data sources\, leading to scientific knowledge. This talk will summarize curre nt applications of AI/ML in nuclear physics\, as well as accelerator appli cations\, and will cover upcoming initiatives and research in AI/ML.\n\nht tps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3434/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3434/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Portable African Neutron-Gamma Laboratory for Innovative Nuclear S cience. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T125500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T131000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3401@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Pete Jones (iThemba LABS)\nThe Portable African Neut ron-Gamma Laboratory for Innovative Nuclear Science (PANGoLINS) project ai ms to further investigate measurements of neutrons which forms an importan t component part on site or in transit and the detection of both fissile m aterial for the use in decarbonised energy sources or disposal thereof. i Themba LABS has pioneered a mobile gamma-ray detection unit which allows a user to operate in the field and chart the location\, strength and energy of gamma radiation. This project allows not only for investigation of ne utrons but anticipates the value add on other features that are outdated i .e. battery pack and reducing current\, temperature monitoring that impact s data and overall analysis. Benefits of the outcome of this project incl udes economic impact\, contribution to GDP etc.\, increased highly skilled capacity and knowledge base and increased capabilities for technically in novation and social impact including improvement in quality of life\, pov erty alleviation and the potential impact in lowering barriers to entry fo r other South African technology innovations.\nAn overview of the project\ , it progress and potential outcomes will be presented.\n\nhttps://indico. tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3401/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3401/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:HiCANS neutron sources – The HBS project for a new class of acce lerator based neutron sources DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T124000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T125500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3402@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thomas Gutberlet (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH)\nA ccelerator driven neutron sources with high brilliance neutron provision p resent an attractive alternative to classical neutron sources of fission r eactors and spallation sources to provide scientist with neutrons to probe and analyze the structure and dynamics of matter. With the advent of high current proton accelerator systems\, a novel class of such neutron facili ties can be established termed High-Current Accelerator-driven Neutron Sou rces (HiCANS). Basic features of HBS are a high current proton accelerator \, a compact neutron production and moderator unit and an optimized neutro n transport system to provide thermal and cold neutrons with high brillian ce and a full suite of high performing epithermal\, thermal and cold neutr on instruments.\nThe Jülich Centre for Neutron Science is leading a proje ct to develop\, design and demonstrate such a novel accelerator driven Hig h-Brilliance neutron Sources (HBS). The project aims at construction of a scalable neutron source for a user facility with open access and service a ccording to the various and changing demand of its communities. Embedded w ithin an international collaboration with partners from Germany\, Europe a nd Japan the Jülich HBS project offers best flexible solutions to the sci entific and industrial users. The overall conceptual design as well as the technical design of HBS as blueprint of a HiCANS facility was published i n a series of recent reports.\nThe current status of the project\, progres s and next steps regarding accelerator\, target\, moderators and beam deli very\, milestones and its impact on the vision for future neutron landscap e will be presented.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions /3402/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3402/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Development of a novel self-calibration technique for γ-ray energ y-tracking arrays DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T122500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T124000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3400@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michael Bentley (University of York)\nThe developmen t of $\\gamma$-ray energy-tracking arrays using highly segmented High Puri ty Germanium (HPGe) detectors is currently the technological frontier of h igh-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy in modern nuclear physics [1]. The t racking capability of such arrays strongly depends on the performance of t he Pulse Shape Analysis (PSA)\, which uses the position-dependent response of the detector signals to determine the $\\gamma$-ray interaction positi ons within the detector volume. The PSA algorithm is performed by comparin g the measured signal pulse shape to expected pulse shapes associated with different interaction positions – i.e. the “signal basis”. Therefor e\, producing a reliable signal basis is one of the key points for PSA.\n\ nA novel method to generate a reliable signal basis in a notably simple ex perimental way was proposed in [2]\, and this presentation reports on the testing and implementation of this method. In this method\, a $\\gamma$-ra y source illuminates the full array and the Compton scattering data is obt ained. Starting with the assumption of a segment-sized position resolution for every interaction point and using an iterative minimization procedure based on the tracking of Compton scattering events\, it is possible to co nverge to the real positions after several iterations\, which is the so-ca lled “self-calibration” approach. Heil *et al.* [2] demonstrated the f easibility of the approach using a simulation\, applied a simplified geome try for a generic array and without considering electronic pulses.\n\nThis presentation reports the new development of the self-calibration techniqu e with a realistic geometry for the AGATA array with pulse-shape signals\, and the first implementation of the approach using experimental source da ta with AGATA at the Legnaro National Laboratory. To demonstrate the perfo rmance of this technique\, it is first applied to a simulation data obtain ed using the interaction points produced by the AGATA Geant4 simulation pa ckage combined with a calculated pulse shape signal basis generated by the AGATA Detector Library (ADL)[3]. The signal basis produced by the self-ca libration method is compared with the initial ADL basis to show the validi ty of the method. This method was then applied to signals from real $\\gam ma$-ray source calibration data to generate\, for the first time\, an expe rimental in-situ signal basis for AGATA. This experimental self-calibrated basis is compared with the currently-used calculated ADL basis. PSA using both signal bases have been attempted and the comparison looks very encou raging for the new approach. Further development of the self-calibration t echnique is proposed and improvements to the experimental basis generated by the self-calibration technique are foreseen in the near future.\n\n[1] A. Korichi\, T. Lauritsen\, Eur. Phys. J. A 55\, 121 (2019).\n[2] S. Heil\ , S. Paschalis\, M. Petri\, Eur. Phys. J. A 54\, 172 (2018).\n[3] B. Bruyn eel\, B. Birkenbach\, P. Reiter\, Eur. Phys. J. A 52\, 70 (2016).\n\nhttps ://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3400/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3400/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:MAGNEX-FPD at iThemba LABS: enabling the heavy-ion detection capab ility at the K600 spectrometer facility DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T120000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T122500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3349@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Luna Pellegri (University of the Witwatersrand and i Themba LABS)\nIn 2019\, a new project focused on implementing the MAGNEX F ocal Plane Detector (FPD) at the K600 spectrometer facility at iThemba LAB S was started with the aim to facilitate experiments involving heavy-ion b eams. The primary intention was to investigate Double Charge Exchange (DCE ) reactions and competing quasi-elastic channels at various incident energ ies\, expanding upon the research conducted at the INFN-Laboratori Naziona li del Sud (LNS) in Catania\, Italy\, as part of the NUMEN project. Once f ully commissioned the K600+MAGNEX-FPD configuration will not only allow to perform nuclear structure and reaction studies with heavy-ion beams but i t will also enable the capability to use low-energy light-ion beams that u p to now was forbidden due to the characteristics of the K600-FPD.\n\nThe MAGNEX FPD has been successfully transported and tested in a stand-alone c onfiguration at iThemba LABS. Presently\, the MAGNEX-FPD is being coupled to the mechanics of the K600 medium dispersion focal plane. This phase wil l be followed by a commissioning step with low-energy beams and radioactiv e sources\, to characterize the facility in terms of particle identificati on\, energy and angle resolution and detection efficiency. In this picture it is foreseen also the use of the African LaBr3:Ce array (ALBA)\, made u p of 21 large-volume LaBr3:Ce detectors\, available in the full configurat ion at iThemba LABS\, to allow particle-gamma coincidence measurements.\n\ nA general overview of the project and the scientific cases that could be studied will be presented.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contrib utions/3349/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3349/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Sub-barrier Fusion Excitation Functions of Heavy-Ion Systems DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T102000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T103500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3429@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Alberto M. Stefanini (INFN - LNL)\nOne of the yet un settled problems in heavy-ion fusion near and below the barrier is the rel ative influence of nucleon transfer channels and couplings to collective m odes on the cross sections. We recall two relevant papers [1] where that i nfluence\, and the moments of fusion-barrier distributions were investigat ed.\n\nIn this contribution\, we present a new analysis of several systems \, based on the combined observation of the energy-weighted excitation fun ctions Eσ in relation to their first energy derivatives d(Eσ)/dE (slopes ). That derivative is proportional to the s-wave transmission coefficient and to the square of the barrier radius. This representation helps our und erstanding of the situation.\n\nThe two-dimensional plot of d(Eσ)/dE vs E σ for 48Ca\,36S + 48Ca\, obtained from Refs. [2\, 3] is interesting. In t his type of plot trivial Coulomb barrier differences between the two syste ms are eliminated to a large extent. The colliding nuclei are closed-shell or magic\, and\, at sub-barrier energies\, the two data sets are complete ly overlapping. Indeed the Wong formula [4] implies that the slope and the excitation function are proportional to each other for all cross sections in that energy range. The proportionality constant is 2π/h¯ω\, i.e. in versely proportional to the second radial derivative of the barrier approx imated by a parabola. In the cited example the overlap of the two data set s implies that the two barriers have approximately the same width.\n\nOthe r cases behave differently\, like 40Ca + 96Zr [5] and 58Ni + 64Ni [6]\, wh ere neutron transfer couplings are dominant\, compared to 40Ca + 90Zr [7] and 64Ni + 64Ni [8]\, respectively. In either case\, the system where tran sfer couplings are dominant\, lies below the other case\, meaning that the effective one-dimensional barrier is thinner. This mimics a wider barrier distribution produced by couplings\, extending to lower energies and lead ing to a cross section enhancement vs energy\, as observed. A full systema tics will be shown in the talk\, with more detailed and quantitative consi derations for the various\ncases.\n\n[1] C. L. Jiang et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 89 (2014) 051603(R)\; K. E. Rehm et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 94 (2016) 044612\n [2] A.M. Stefanini\, G. Montagnoli et al.\, Phys. Lett. B 679 (2009) 95\n[ 3] A.M. Stefanini\, G. Montagnoli et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 78 (2008) 044607\n [4] C. Y. Wong\, Phys. Rev. Lett. 31 (1973) 766\n[5] A.M. Stefanini\, G. M ontagnoli et al.\, Phys. Lett. B 728 (2014) 639\n[6] A.M. Stefanini\, G. M ontagnoli\, M. Del Fabbro et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 100 (2019) 044619\n[7] H. Timmers et al.\, Nucl. Phys. A 633 (1998) 421\n[8] C. L. Jiang et al. Phys . Rev. Lett. 93 (2004) 012701\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/cont ributions/3429/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3429/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Halo-EFT description of one-neutron halo nuclei with core excitati on DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T100500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T102000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3375@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Live-Palm Kubushishi (Johannes Gutenberg-Universitä t Mainz)\nHalo nuclei are fascinating short-lived nuclear systems found ne ar the driplines.\nIn standard reaction models\, halo nuclei are usually d escribed as an inert core with one or two weakly bound nucleons. However\, some breakup data suggest that the dynamics of the reaction is influenced by the excitation of the core to its excited states in a significant way [1]. \n\nHalo-EFT has been shown to give a good description of halo nuclei within reaction models [2]. Accordingly\, we extend it to include core ex citation considering a rigid-rotor model of the core [3]. As a study case\ , we take $^{11}$Be which is a typical one-neutron halo nucleus.\nIts core deformation is then treated at the first order of perturbations to includ e effectively the 2$^{+}$ excited state of $^{10}$Be in the description of $^{11}$Be. \n\nWe perform a coupled-channels study of the bound states of $^{11}$Be where the low energy constants are fitted to reproduce an *ab i nitio* calculation [4]. For the ground state\, the inclusion of core excit ation allows us to better reproduce the *ab initio* predictions (wavefunct ion and phaseshift). In contrast\, for the first excited state\, core exci tation does not have much influence on the calculations\, confirming that this is a shell model state. This simple few-body model will enable us to study the influence of core excitation in nuclear reactions. It will also provide a better understanding of the complicated No Core Shell Model (NCS M) results [4].\n\n$[1]$ R. de Diego\, *et al*.\, *Phys. Rev. C* 95\, 0446 11 (2017).\n$[2]$ P. Capel\, *et al.*\, *Phys. Rev. C* 98\, 034610 (2018). \n$[3]$ F.M. Nunes\, *et al.*\, *Nucl. Phys. A* 596\, 171 (1996).\n$[4]$ A . Calci\, *et al.*\, *Phys. Rev. Lett.* 117\, 242501 (2016).\n\nhttps://in dico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3375/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3375/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Exotic nuclei for Physics (AGATA)\, Astrophysics (Helios)\, and Ap plications (ClimOcean) DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T094000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T100500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3437@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Giacomo de Angelis (INFN LNL)\nNuclear physics resea rch is at the dawn of a new era. After the Big Bang and billions years of evolution\, the universe has provided us around 2000 nuclei. Based on the information from these nuclei\, nuclear theory has been established in ord er to understand the structure of the nucleus. The steady progress over th e past twenty years in the development of high intensity stable beams and of beams of radioactive isotopes has allowed to vastly expand the objectiv es of experimental nuclear research. It is also becoming possible to study in the laboratory a range of nuclear reactions that take place in explodi ng stars providing crucial information to understand how the chemical elem ents that we find on Earth were formed. With more than 2000 nuclei produce d artificially and around 6000 expected to be produced in the facilities i n operation or under construction in China\, Europe\, Japan and US\, the c onventional nuclear theory meet serious challenges. For example\, the disa ppearance and appearance of the magic number is presently leading to the r e-examination of the shell model and also of the path of the nucleosynthes is in Universe. To achieve this ambitious goal one needs to study the char acteristics of unstable (radioactive) nuclei through their decays and the various nuclear interactions. Such unstable nuclei have also a wide range of applications (medicine\, climate changes etc.). \nIn this presentation I will discuss recent results of the AGATA experimental campaign presently ongoing at LNL\, together with the future program at the SPES ISOL radioa ctive ion beam facility including nuclear astrophysics with solenoidal spe ctrometers (we have recently performed experiments at the ISS (Isolde) and HELIOS (ANL)) and applications focused on monitoring the adaptation of ma rine species to climate changes (IFIC – Valencia (E) and LNL- UniPD (I) ).\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3437/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3437/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Constraining the nuclear matter equation of state at supra-normal densities DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T091500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T094000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3354@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Yvonne Leifels (GSI)\nUnderstanding the equation of state (EOS) of asymmetric nuclear matter is of fundamental importance and underpins our knowledge of many aspects of nuclear physics and astrophysic s. It governs the behaviour of cosmological events like of type II superno va explosions and neutron star mergers\, and the properties neutron stars\ , as well as the characteristics of neutron rich nuclei and the process of heavy-ion reactions. Heavy ion-reactions at incident energies of several hundredths of MeV/u are the only means to study nuclear matter characteris tics at supra-normal densities in the laboratory. Whereas a multitude of e xisting experimental observables is constraining the nuclear matter equati on of state at densities below ground state density\, the experimental dat a at supra-normal densities are still limited. Bayesian inference is used to combine data from astrophysical multi-messenger observations of neutron stars and from heavy-ion collisions with microscopic nuclear theory calcu lations to improve our understanding of dense matter. However\, very few e xperimental data from heavy ion reactions exist at supra-saturation densit ies i.e. r»2r0 and above.\n\nThe talk will present the status on the expe rimental constraints from heavy-ion collisions on the properties of asymme tric nuclear matter and the future perspectives at GSI/FAIR.\n\nhttps://in dico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3354/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3354/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Recent experimental activities in normal kinematics investigating clustering in nuclear systems by means of quasi free scattering DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T073000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T075500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3358@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Zaihong Yang (Peking University)\nFormation of clust ers in nuclei is a topic of great interest and fundamental importance thro ughout the history of nuclear physics. In light nuclei\, development of cl uster structure in states close to the corresponding decay threshold is a well established phenomenon\, and significant progress has been made in se arch for novel cluster states in light nuclei\, such as the α-condensate states (e.g Hoyle state) and the 3-α-linear-chain states in carbon isotop es. Cluster formation in dilute nuclear matter including the low-density s urface of heavy nuclei has not been well studied experimentally\, although it has been theoretically predicted. Such a non-homogeneous phase of nucl ear matter plays an important role in understanding the structure of the n eutron star and the supernovae explosion. In this talk\, I will discuss th e results of our recent experiment measuring the formation of alpha cluste rs at the surface of stable tin isotopes by using quasi-free (p\,pα) reac tion in normal kinematics with the high-resolution spectrometers of RCNP\, Osaka University.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3 358/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3358/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Alpha knockout reaction from light to heavy nuclei DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T070000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231202T072500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3359@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kazuki Yoshida (Japan Atomic Energy Agency)\nThe pro ton-induced $\\alpha$ knockout reaction\, ($p\,p\\alpha$)\, is a powerful probe of the $\\alpha$ formation in the nucleus [1]. We have shown that a modern theoretical calculation of the $\\alpha$ amplitude in the $^{20}$Ne ground state combined with the ($p\,p\\alpha$) reaction calculation by th e distorted wave impulse approximation can quantitatively reproduce the ex isting experimental data [2]. On the other hand\, quantitative reproductio ns of the $\\alpha$ knockout cross section from $^{24}$Mg\, $^{28}$Si\, $^ {32}$S\, $^{40}$Ca\, $^{48}$Ti\, etc.\, are still theoretically challengin g. Stimulated by the $\\alpha$ knockout reaction experiment from Sn(tin) i sotopes [3]\, the universality of the $\\alpha$ formation throughout the n uclear chart is also an interesting question. In this contribution\, from a reaction theory point of view\, I will review the recent progress in the $\\alpha$ formation phenomena studied by the ($p\,p\\alpha$) reaction and our recent achievement which showed a possibility that the $\\alpha$ knoc kout reaction may be a good probe for the $\\alpha$ formation on the surfa ce of the $\\alpha$ decay nuclei [4].\n\n[1] T. A. Carey\, P. G. Roos\, N. S. Chant\, A. Nadasen\, and H. L. Chen\, Phys. Rev. C 29\, 1273 (1984).\n [2] K. Yoshida\, Y. Chiba\, M. Kimura\, Y. Taniguchi\, Y. Kanada-En’yo\, and K. Ogata\, Phys. Rev. C 100\, 044601 (2019).\n[3] J. Tanaka et al.\, Science 371\, 260 (2021).\n[4] K. Yoshida and J. Tanaka\, Phys. Rev. C 106 \, 014621 (2022).\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/33 59/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3359/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Study on short-range correlations in unstable neutron-rich nuclei DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T153500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T160000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3356@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: He Wang ()\nThe short range correlation (SRC)\, is a peculiar new phenomenon that is relevant to the most dense part of the nu cleus\, as the SRC happens when the nucleon-nucleon pair is close to each other by only about a half of their normal average distance. Due to the He isenberg's uncertainty principle\, the SRC nucleons have much higher momen tum than the Fermi momentum\, contrary to the conventional\, standard pict ure of nuclei where nucleon momenta are limited to the Fermi momentum. To establish a comprehensive understanding of nuclei\, new insights from expe rimental and theoretical investigations on SRC are required. \n\nSo far\, the SRC has been studied only for "stable" nuclei. One of the current issu es on SRC is how the asymmetry of proton and neutron numbers affect the SR C. To address the question\, unstable neutron-rich nuclei provide a great opportunity. Unstable neutron-rich nuclei typically have large neutron exc ess\, which enables to study the proton-neutron-asymmetry dependence in a wide range. Furthermore\, the question how SRC pair behaves in extreme neu tron-rich environment arises and such a question may provide key informati on on the equation of state for neutron stars.\n\nAiming at studying the S RC in neutron-rich short-lived nuclei\, we propose a novel method\, namely proton-induced deuteron-knockout reaction with fast beams of unstable neu tron-rich nuclei in inverse kinematics\, to measure the momentum distribut ion inside SRC pairs. The experiment will be conducted using the SAMURAI s pectrometer at the RI beam factory\, RIKEN. In this presentation\, the new method will be discussed\, and experimental details will be given.\n\nhtt ps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3356/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3356/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Deuteron quasi-free scattering reactions: a tool to probe nucleon- nucleon short-range correlations in atomic nuclei DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T150500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T153000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3355@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Marina Petri (University of York)\nThe experimental evidence points to the existence\, at short distances\, of strongly correl ated neutron-proton pairs much like they are in the deuteron or in free sc attering processes. \nAs it moves through the nuclear medium\, a “bare ” nucleon in the presence of the nucleon-nucleon interaction becomes “ dressed” in a quasi-deuteron cloud\, about 20% of the time. Our phenomen ological analysis of the independent-particle model content in a dressed n ucleon [1] has an isospin dependence which is also reflected on the dresse d amplitude. Thus\, the qualitative arguments above\, suggest that quasi-f ree scattering (QFS) of deuterons could offer a sensitive probe to examine these concepts. \nIn this contribution\, we will discuss these ideas and present an experiment that aims at measuring the (p\,pd) QFS cross-sectio n for knocking out a deuteron in $^{10\,14\,16}$C relative to $^{12}$C as a tool to probe short-range correlations and their isospin dependency. \n\ n[1] S. Paschalis\, M. Petri\, A.O. Macchiavelli\, O. Hen\, and E. Piasetz ky\, Physics Letters B 800 (2020) 135110\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/eve nt/119/contributions/3355/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3355/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Introduction and Overview of Short-Range Correlations DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T143500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T150000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3445@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Or Hen (MIT)\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/c ontributions/3445/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3445/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:On the need of new measurements to understand neutron capture nucl eosynthesis DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T132000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T133500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3365@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sara Palmerini (University of Perugia and INFN Perug ia)\nNeutron capture nucleosynthesis via s-\, r- and i-process are respons ible for the production of elements heavier than Fe in the Universe.\nNucl eosynthesis predictions can be affected by both the free parameters of the astrophysical models\, which do not allow to accurately reproduce the neu tron densities in stellar environments\, and the uncertainties of the nucl ear physics quantities employed in calculations. The isotopic composition of stellar dust (SiC presolar grains in particular) provides strong constr aints to nucleosynthesis models and hints to the need for new measurement s of weak interaction (beta decays and electron captures) rates in ionized plasmas as well as of neutron-capture cross sections of unstable nuclei a nd/or isomers. We will focus our discussion in the regions near N = 50 and N = 82\, showing as the predictions for Sr isotopic distribution can be m odified by the assumptions done for the 85Kr (ground and isomeric state) h alf-life and neutron capture cross section as well as the production of Ba isotopes can be deeply affected by the decay rates of Cs isotopes (new th eoretical estimation for A=134-135 half-lives in plasma condition will be presented).\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3365/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3365/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The PANDORA Project: Investigating Photonuclear Reactions in Light Nuclei. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T133500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T135000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3382@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jacob Bekker (University of the Witwatersrand)\nThe PANDORA (Photo-Absorption of Nuclei and Decay Observation for Reactions in Astrophysics) project focuses on the experimental and theoretical analysi s of photo-nuclear reactions involving light nuclei with a mass below A = 60. This is of particular importance in the scope of ultra-high-energy co smic ray research where the main mode of energy attenuation as it travels through the cosmos is determined by the electromagnetic interaction of the nucleus with the cosmic microwave background through the isovector giant dipole resonance. Currently\, propagation calculations and reaction models are plagued by a shortage of reliable experimental data sets for importan t nuclei. By utilizing virtual photon experiments conducted at iThemba LAB S(South Africa) and RCNP (Japan)\, as well as real photon experiments carr ied out at ELI-NP (Romania) \, it becomes feasible to extract crucial info rmation such as the isovector giant dipole resonance (IVGDR) E1 strength a nd the branching ratios for particle decay for light nuclei.\n\nThis study will focus on the virtual photon absorption method employed at iThemba LA BS and RCNP using high energy inelastic proton scattering at 0$^\\circ$ s cattering angle using a magnetic spectrometer\, combined with silicon part icle coincidence and LaBr3 gamma coincidence measurements. An initial extr action of the photoabsorption cross section of a dataset of Mg$^{24}$ will be shown along with preliminary results from a recent experiment at RCNP. \n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3382/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3382/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The K600 magnetic spectrometer and the CAKE silicon detector array : measurements relevant to type-I X-ray bursts DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T135000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T140500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3362@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Johann Wiggert Brummer (iThemba LABS)\nThe K600 magn etic spectrometer and the CAKE silicon detector array form a powerful tool for coincidence measurements in many nuclear physics measurements includi ng nuclear astrophysics. These instruments have been used\, among others\, in studies measuring proton decays from $\\alpha$-unbound states in $^{22 }$Mg through the $^{24}$Mg$(p\,t)$$^{22}$Mg reaction to study the $^{18}$N e$(\\alpha\,p)$$^{21}$Na cross section relevant in type-I X-ray bursts (XR Bs). The thermonuclear reaction rate of $^{18}$Ne$(\\alpha\,p)$$^{21}$Na i s one of the important rates that affect the behaviour of the XRB lightcur ve. This talk will examine the $^{22}$Mg$(p\,t)$$^{22}$Mg experiment that was performed at iThemba LABS\, Cape Town and discuss future experiments w ith the $^{28}$Si$(p\,t)$$^{26}$Si reaction to study proton decays from $\ \alpha$-unbound states in $^{26}$Si to study the cross section and thermon uclear reaction rate of $^{22}$Mg$(\\alpha\,p)$$^{25}$Al and its influence on type-I XRBs.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/336 2/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3362/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:39Ca and its relevance in nuclear astrophysics DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T130500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T132000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3361@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sifundo Binda (iThemba LABS and Wits University)\nEl emental abundances are excellent probes of classical novae (CN). Sensitivi ty studies show that $^{38}$K($p$\,$\\gamma$)$^{39}$Ca reaction-rate uncer tainties modify the abundance of calcium by a factor of 60 in CN ejecta. E xisting direct [1\,2] and indirect measurements [3\,4] are in contradictio n concerning the energies and strengths of important resonances in the $^{ 38}$K($p$\,$\\gamma$)$^{39}$Ca reaction. Direct measurements of the lowest three known $\\ell$ = 0 resonances at $E_\\mathrm{r}$ = 386\, 515\, and 6 79 keV have greatly reduced the uncertainties on the reaction rate for thi s reaction [1\,2]. However\, considerable uncertainty remains in the spect roscopy of $^{39}$Ca and subsequently\, in the $^{38}$K($p$\,$\\gamma$)$^{ 39}$Ca reaction rate. A subsequent $^{40}$Ca($^{3}$He\,$^4$He)$^{39}$Ca ex periment using the SplitPole at TUNL [3] concluded that one of the resonan ces ($E_\\mathrm{r}$ = 701.3 or $E_\\mathrm{r}$ = 679 keV depending on the source of the nuclear data) may have been misplaced in the DRAGON target during the direct measurement and that tentative new states at $E_\\mathrm {x}$ = 5908\, 6001\, and 6083 keV ($E_\\mathrm{r}$ = 137\, 230\, and 312 k eV) could correspond to important resonances in $^{38}$K($p$\,$\\gamma$)$^ {39}$Ca. Resonance energies have an exponential effect on the reaction rat e and the possible new resonances induce a 40\\% uncertainty in the $^{38} $K($p$\,$\\gamma$)$^{39}$Ca reaction rate [3]. To resolve these\, $^{39}$C a was studied using the $^{40}$Ca($p\,d$)$^{39}$Ca reaction at forward ang les with a proton beam energy of 66 MeV using the K600 magnetic spectromet er. These measurements are aimed at verifying the properties of levels in the region where discrepancies between various experiments persist. Prelim inary results from the measurements will be presented.\n \n[1] Lotay et al . PRL 116\,132701 (2016)\n[2] Christian et al. PRC 97 025802 (2018)\n[3] S etoodehnia et al. PRC 98 055804 (2018)\n[4] Hall et al. PRC 101\, 015804 ( 2020)\n\nThis work is based on the research supported by the National Rese arch Foundation (NRF) doctoral postgraduate scholarship (UID 141287) and t he Southern African Institute for Nuclear Technology and Sciences (SAINTS) Prestigious Doctoral Scholarship.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119 /contributions/3361/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3361/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Measurement of the 27Al(p\,α)24Mg fusion reaction at astrophysica l energies via the Trojan Horse Method. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T125000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T130500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3360@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Marco La Cognata (INFN-LNS)\nThe abundance of $^{26} $Al carries a special role in astrophysics\, since it probes active nucleo synthesis in the Milky Way and constrains the Galactic core-collapse super novae rate. It is estimated through the detection of the 1809~keV $\\gamma $-line of the daughter $^{26}$Mg and from the superabundance of $^{26}$Mg in comparison with the most abundant Mg isotope (A=24) in meteorites. For this reason\, high precision is necessary not only in the investigation of $^{26}$Al nucleosynthesis process but also in the investigation of the st able $^{27}$Al and $^{24}$Mg [1\,2]. \nMoreover\, these nuclei enter the s o-called MgAl cycle playing an important role in the production of Al and Mg [3]. Recently\, high-resolution stellar surveys have shown that the Mg- Al anti-correlation in red-giant stars in globular clusters may hide the e xistence of multiple stellar populations\, and that the relative abundance s of Mg isotopes may not be correlated with Al. \n\nThe common thread runn ing through these astrophysical scenarios is the $^{27}{\\rm Al}(p\,\\alph a)^{24}{\\rm Mg}$ fusion reaction\, which is the main $^{27}$Al destructio n channel and directly correlates its abundance with the $^{24}{\\rm Mg}$ one. Since available spectroscopic data and tabulated reaction rates show large uncertainties owing to the vanishingly small cross section at astrop hysical energies\, we have applied the Trojan Horse Method (THM) to the t hree-body quasi-free reaction $d(^{27}{\\rm Al}\,\\alpha{}^{24}{\\rm Mg})n $. This has allowed us to perform high precision spectroscopy on the compo und nucleus $^{28}$Si\, from which we extracted important information on t he $^{27}{\\rm Al}(p\,\\alpha)^{24}{\\rm Mg}$ fusion cross section in the energy region of interest for astrophysics\, not accessible to direct meas urements. \nAll details can be found in refs.[4\,5]. \nIn particular\, the indirect measurement made it possible to assess the contribution of the 8 4~keV resonance and to lower upper limits on the strength of nearby resona nces. \n\nAbout the impact of the measurement\, in this work we have evalu ated the effect of the THM recommended rate on intermediate-mass asymptoti c giant branch stars experiencing hot bottom burning. Here\, a sizeable in crease in surface aluminum abundance is observed at the lowest masses due to the modification on the fusion cross section\, while $^{24}$Mg is essen tially unaffected by the change we determined.\n\n[1] S. Palmerini et al.\ , Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 467\, 1193 (2017).\n\n [2] C. Iliadis et al.\, The Astrophysical Journal Supplement 193\, 23 (201 1).\n\n[3] C. Iliadis et al.\, Nuclear Physics A 841\, 3 (2010).\n\n[4] M. La Cognata et al.\, The Astrophysical Journal 941\, 96 (2022).\n\n[5] M. La Cognata et al.\, Physics Letters B 826\, 136917 (2022).\n\nhttps://indi co.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3360/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3360/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Understanding Stellar Explosions with Nuclear Physics DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T120000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T122500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3347@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Catherine Deibel ()\nAcross the periodic table\, the majority of the elements are created at least in part in explosive stella r environments. For elements up to mass ~100\, explosive nucleosynthesis often occurs through thermonuclear runaway in hydrogen- and helium-rich en vironments driving events such as classical novae\, Type I X-ray bursts\, and Type Ia Supernovae\, and resulting in the production of exotic proton- rich nuclei. On the other side of the chart of nuclides\, more than half of the heavy elements are synthesized through the r-process occurring in n eutron-rich explosive environments\, such as neutron-star mergers. While for some of these explosive events (e.g. X-ray bursts) a wealth of observa tional data exists\, events such as neutron star mergers have only recentl y been observed for the first time as we enter the multi-messenger era. H owever\, in all cases to understand these explosions and make comparisons with such observations\, accurate nuclear data is required. This includes nuclear masses\, lifetimes\, and reaction cross sections to determine rea ction rates. For some unique cases\, these reaction rates can be measured directly with the availability of intense radioactive ion beams from new and upgraded accelerator facilities. However\, more often such beams are not available and the nuclear data required to calculate reaction rates of interest must be obtained via indirect techniques. A selection of recent results from both direct and indirect methods and the impact of such resu lts will be discussed\, along with an outlook on such studies for the near -term future.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3347/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3347/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Manifestation of nuclear structure in low-energy total reaction cr oss sections DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T105000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T110500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3381@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mikhail Naumenko (Joint Institute for Nuclear Resear ch\, Dubna\, Russia)\nThe study of the total cross sections for the reacti ons involving neutron-rich weakly bound nuclei makes it possible to obtain information on their structure (halo\, skin\, clustering\, etc.) and its manifestation in nuclear reactions.\n\nFor example\, the outer neutrons of the ${}^9$Li nucleus with an energy of separation of 4 MeV have a compact space distribution that may be called skin. The results of experiments on measuring total cross sections for the $^{9}$Li+$^{28}$Si reaction as a f unction of the beam energy in the range $E=5A-50A$ MeV [1\,2] showed that\ , in the energy range $E=10A-20A$ MeV\, the values of the total cross sect ion for the $^{9}$Li+$^{28}$Si reaction are much larger than those for the $^{7}$Li+$^{28}$Si reaction [2]. Such an enhancement could not be explain ed by the theoretical models existing at the time. In [1]\, it was assumed that the reason for the enhancement was related to the properties of the shell of the relatively weakly bound outer neutrons and its evolution in t he process of collision with the target nucleus. This assumption provided good agreement of calculations with the experimental data. \n\nIn the $^{1 1}$Li nucleus\, the outer neutrons are even more weakly bound $-$ their en ergy of separation is 0.4 MeV\, which leads to an extended space distribut ion called halo. The enhancement of the cross section for the $^{11}$Li+$^ {28}$Si reaction compared to those for the $^{9}$Li+$^{28}$Si and $^{7}$Li +$^{28}$Si reactions was experimentally observed in the entire energy ran ge\, up to $50A$ MeV\; this enhancement was theoretically explained by neu tron transfer from the extended halo shell to the states of the continuous spectrum [3].\n\nClustering in light nuclei is especially pronounced in t he isotopes of beryllium\; their moment of inertia turned out to be very l arge\, which is consistent with their $2\\alpha$-cluster structure charact erized by a large deformation (e.g.\, [4]). Calculations also yielded a du mbbell-shaped structure due to the pronounced $2\\alpha$-clustering (e.g.\ , [5]). In this work\, we discuss the manifestation of the structures of t he $^{10\,11\,12}$Be isotopes in the reactions with the $^{28}$Si target m easured using a multidetector gamma spectrometer [6] in comparison with th e experimental data on the total reaction cross sections for the $^{7\,9\, 11}$Li isotopes [1$-$3] and $^{4\,6}$He.\n\n[1] Yu.E. Penionzhkevich\, Yu. G. Sobolev\, V.V. Samarin\, M.A. Naumenko\, Phys. At. Nucl. 80\, 928 (2017 ).\n\n[2] Yu.G. Sobolev\, Yu.E. Penionzhkevich\, D. Aznabaev\, E.V. Zemlya naya\, M.P. Ivanov\, G.D. Kabdrakhimova\, A.M. Kabyshev\, A.G. Knyazev\, A . Kugler\, N.A. Lashmanov\, K.V. Lukyanov\, A. Maj\, V.A. Maslov\, K. Mend ibayev\, N.K. Skobelev\, R.S. Slepnev\, V.V. Smirnov\, D. Testov\, Phys. P art. Nucl. 48\, 922 (2017).\n\n[3] Yu.E. Penionzhkevich\, Yu.G. Sobolev\, V.V. Samarin\, M.A. Naumenko\, N.A. Lashmanov\, V.A. Maslov\, I. Sivacek\, S.S. Stukalov\, Phys. Rev. C 99\, 014609 (2019).\n\n[4] Yu.E. Penionzhkev ich\, R.G. Kalpakchieva\, Light exotic nuclei near the boundary of neutron stability (World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.\, Singapore\, 2022). \n\n[5] Q. Zhao\, Y. Suzuki\, J. He\, B. Zhou\, M. Kimura\, Eur. Phys. J. A 57\, 157 (2021).\n\n[6] V.V. Samarin\, Yu.G. Sobolev\, Yu.E. Penionzhkev ich\, S.S. Stukalov\, M.A. Naumenko\, I. Sivacek\, Phys. Part. Nucl. 53\, 595 (2022).\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3381/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3381/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The NUMEN project: nuclear response to weak interaction investigat ed by nuclear reactions DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T102500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T105000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3342@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Diana Carbone (INFN-LNS)\nThe physics of neutrinoles s double beta (0νββ) decay has important implications on particle physi cs\, cosmology and fundamental physics. It is the most promising process t o access the effective neutrino mass. To determine quantitative informatio n from the possible measurement of the 0νββ decay half-lives\, the know ledge of the Nuclear Matrix Elements (NME) involved in the transition is m andatory. The possibility of using heavy-ion induced double charge exchang e (DCE) reactions as tools toward the determination of the NME is at the b asis of the NUMEN project [1]. The basic points are that the initial and f inal state wave functions in the two processes are the same and the transi tion operators are similar\, including in both cases a superposition of Fe rmi\, Gamow-Teller and rank-two tensor components. Full understanding of t he DCE reaction mechanism is fundamental to disentangle the reaction part from the nuclear structure aspects relevant for the 0νββ decay NMEs. Th e most crucial and debated aspect in the DCE and SCE nuclear reactions is the competition between the direct process\, proceeding via the meson-exch ange paths\, and the sequential ones proceeding through the transfer of se veral nucleons.\nThe availability of the MAGNEX spectrometer [2] for high resolution measurements of the DCE reactions is essential to obtain high r esolution energy spectra and accurate cross sections at very forward angle s\, including zero degree\, and allows the concurrent measurement of the o ther relevant reaction channels (elastic and inelastic scattering\, one- a nd two-nucleon transfer reactions and single charge exchange). The strateg y applied to study such full net of reactions is to theoretically analyze the experimental data using state-of-the-art nuclear structure and reactio n theories in a unique comprehensive and coherent theoretical calculation. This multichannel approach has been recently applied to analyze some nets of nuclear reactions\, for example involving the $^{18}$O + $^{40}$Ca sys tem. Moreover\, the absolute cross sections of some DCE reactions populati ng nuclei of interest for the 0νββ decay have been measured for the fir st time. All of these results will be presented and discussed at the Confe rence.\n\n[1] F.Cappuzzello et al.\, Eur. Phys. J. A 54 (2018) 72.\n[2] F. Cappuzzello et al.\, Eur. Phys. J. A 52 (2016) 167.\n\nhttps://indico.tlab s.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3342/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3342/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Overview of the nEXO experiment DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T100000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231201T102500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3353@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Brian Lenardo (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory) \nnEXO is a next-generation experiment that aims to observe the neutrinole ss double beta decay of $^{136}$Xe to $^{136}$Ba. The experiment will use 5 tonnes of liquid xenon (LXe) enriched to 90% in $^{136}$Xe in a single-p hase\, monolithic time projection chamber (TPC). Ionization electrons and scintillation light will be detected with a segmented anode and an array o f VUV-sensitive silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) detectors within the TPC\, respectively\, allowing the measurement of the energy\, position and multi plicity of each event. This talk will highlight some recent developments i n the conceptual design of the detector and related R&D. These improvement s enable a neutrinoless double beta decay half-life sensitivity of $1.35 \ \times 10^{28}$ years after 10 years of data taking\, which covers the ent ire parameter space associated with the inverted neutrino masses ordering. \n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3353/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3353/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Distant mirror nuclei studied with -1n and -2n knockout reactions DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T104000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T105500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3368@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michael Bentley (University of York)\nIsospin symmet ry – the neutron-proton exchange symmetry rooted in the concepts of char ge symmetry and charge independence of the nuclear force – is one of the key concepts in nuclear physics. It results in beautiful and simple symme tries in the otherwise complex behaviour of nuclei\, and examination of ho w those symmetries are broken can\, in turn\, shed light on the properties of the interactions concerned. To perform thorough investigations of the physics of isospin requires detailed spectroscopy of proton-rich nuclei – i.e. detailed level schemes and transitions strengths. Knockout reacti ons from relativistic radioactive beams is proving to be an extremely powe rful approach – especially when combined with gamma-ray arrays with trac king capability such as GRETINA at the NSCL facility\, results from which are presented here. \n\nTwo completely new level schemes of proton-rich\, $T_z=-\\frac{3}{2}$\, nuclei $^{47}$Mn and $^{45}$Cr\, have been produced [1] using one-neutron knockout for $^{47}$Mn and two-neutron knockout for $^{45}$Cr. In both cases\, comprehensive new schemes were established\, wi th confidence given to the final spin/parity assignments using the now wel l-established “mirrored knockout approach” [2\,3] coupled to theoretic al predictions of -1n and -2n exclusive cross sections. These results demo nstrate the power of using the knockout approach for establishing complex level schemes in exotic nuclei. \n \nTwo theoretical models have been em ployed to analyse the resulting mirror energy differences (MED) – a larg e-scale $fp$-shell-model analysis\, allowing for excitations from the $d_{ 3/2}$ level\, and a new DFT-based model based on the No Core Configuration Interaction Model [4]. This new DFT approach\, first applied in [5]\, whi ch uses a non-truncated model space\, presents an alternative method of ME D analysis\, which can be applied in well-deformed systems with complex co nfigurations. The latest results and model analysis will be presented. \n\ nThe analysis of $^{47}$Mn\, and its mirror nucleus $^{47}$Ti (populated b y the analogue -1p reaction)\, has also allowed for measurements of the li fetimes of the two $J^\\pi=\\frac{7}{2}^-$ analogue first-excited states. This has enabled an unusually high-precision comparison of analogue *B(M1) * transition strengths in a pair of mirror nuclei and the extraction of is oscalar and isovector transition strengths. The dependence of analogue *M1 * transition strengths on $T_z$ has been compared with the predictions fro m isospin formalism\, and the latest results will be presented.\n\n[1] S. Uthayakumaar et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 106\, 024327 (2022)\n[2] R.Yajzey et al .\, Phys. Lett. B. 823\, 136757 (2021)\n[3] S. A. Milne et al.\, Phys. Rev . C. 93\, 024318 (2016).\n[4] P. Bączyk and W. Satula\, Phys. Rev C. 103\ , 054320 (2021).\n[5] R.Llewellyn\, et al.\, Phys. Lett. B. 811\, 135873 ( 2020).\n[6] S. Uthayakumaar et al.\, to be published (2023)\n\nhttps://ind ico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3368/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3368/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Nature of the low-spin states in the moderately-deformed triaxial $^{193}$Au nucleus DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T102500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T104000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3379@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sinegugu Mthembu (iThemba LABS)\nIt was recently pro posed that odd-mass triaxial nuclei can exhibit wobbling motion at low spi ns. Excited bands identified as wobbling were reported in several nuclei\, including two gold isotopes\; $^{183}$Au and $^{187}$Au. These Au isotope s are good candidates for studying such phenomena as the nuclei in this ma ss region are strongly affected by the triaxial degree of freedom [1 - 2]. An excited band with $\\pi$h$_{9/2}$ nature in $^{183}$Au was associated with transverse wobbling\, where the odd proton is oriented along the shor t nuclear axis\, [3]. Conversely\, in $^{187}$Au an excited band with $\\p i$h$_{9/2}$ nature was associated with longitudinal wobbling where the p roton is oriented along the intermediate axis\, [4]. The proposed differen t alignment of the angular momentum of the valence proton in these two Au isotopes is quite interesting\, as the proton Fermi level is expected to b e similar. The most important experimental evidence supporting the propose d wobbling nature of the excited bands in these two Au isotopes was the la rge magnitude of the measured mixing ratios of transitions linking the exc ited and the yrast $\\pi$h$_{9/2}$ bands. Recently\, new measurements of mixing ratios for these linking transitions were carried out in $^{187}$A u [5]. The new results suggested that the M1 component was dominant\, thus ruling out the previously proposed wobbling nature. These contrasting res ults highlight the difficulty of such measurements and indicate the need f or further investigations\, particularly focusing on the Au isotopes.\n\nI n the present study\, excited low-spin states of $^{193}$Au were studied u sing the tape station set-up at iThemba LABS. These states were populated in the $\\beta$-decay that followed the $^{197}$Au(p\,5n)$^{93}$Hg reactio n at E$_p$=50 MeV. The emitted γ rays were detected with three Compton-su ppressed clover detectors and one Compton-suppressed segmented clover. In addition a Si(Li) detector was used for the emitted internal conversion el ections. More than 130 new transitions were placed in $^{193}$Au at low sp ins. Mixing ratios were measured for several transitions in $^{193}$Au thr ough internal conversion analysis and angular correlation measurements. Ex perimental results on the low-spin states in $^{193}$Au will be presented and discussed.\n\n[1] E.A. Gueorgieva et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 64\, 064304 (2 001).\n[2] E.A. Gueorgieva et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 69\, 044320 (2004).\n[3] S. Nandi\, et al.\, Phys Rev Lett 125.13\, 132501 (2020).\n[4] N. Sensharm a\, et al.\, Phys Rev Lett 124.5\, 052501 (2020).\n[5] S. Guo\, et al.\, P hys. Lett. B\, 828\, 137010 (2022).\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/11 9/contributions/3379/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3379/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Emergence of triaxiality in 74Se from electric monopole transition strengths DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T101000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T102500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3377@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Naomi Marchini (University of Florence - INFN Floren ce section)\nThe 2+2 state in non-doubly-magic\, even-even nuclei is commo nly interpreted as due to a collective excitation. In the vibrational and rotational limits\, this state originates from vibrations around the groun d-state shape. Even though these basic paradigms are known to represent on ly a first-order approximation of the nuclear structure\, they are still u sed for classifying isotopes throughout the chart of the nuclides and as a basis for more complex theoretical approaches. Nevertheless\, since the a ppearance of low-energy nuclear vibrations has been debated in the recent literature\, the possible vibrational interpretation of the 2+2\nstate als o needs to be carefully reanalysed.\nMonopole transitions (E0) are an idea l tool to investigate nuclear structure because they are related to the ra dial distribution of the electric charge inside the nucleus. Therefore\, m onopole transition strengths ρ2(E0) are sensitive to changes in the shape of the nuclear states. In particular\, this observable is zero if the sha pe of the two involved states is the same and/or if there is no configurat ion mixing between their wavefunctions. Noteworthy\,\nthe ρ2(E0) value be tween the first two 2+ states is zero in both the vibrational and axially- symmetric rotational limits. A surprising result has been recently obtaine d in the Ni isotopic chain\, where large ρ2(E0\; 2+2 → 2+1) values have been measured. Apart from simple models\, a more sophisticated method bas ed on the shell model was also applied to explain these large ρ2(E0) valu es\, unsuccessfully.\nSelenium isotopes are thought to be collective in th eir low-lying structure. Which kind of collectivity\, however\, is still a matter of debate. A nearly spherical-vibrational scenario was suggested f or 74Se in a recent β-decay study. The anomalous low energy of the 0+2 st ate\, which is a member of the two-phonon multiplet in this case\, was exp lained as due to the mixing between the 0+2 state and the intruder\, stron gly-deformed 03 state. While this interpretation explains several observab les in 74Se\, others are not reproduced. If this picture is correct\, the ρ2(E0\; 2 +2 → 2 1 ) value should be negligible and the ρ (E0\; 0 3 → 0 2 ) value should be large. Noteworthy\, former studies identified th e 0+2 state as another shape-coexisting state\, and the 2+ state as the ba nd-head of a γ-band.\nGiven the most recent suggestions regarding the app earance of multiple-shape coexistence in the neighbouring Ni isotopes\, an d the emerging role of triaxiality in the nearby 76 Se and the close Ge an d Zn isotopes\, further investigation in 74Se is required.\nThis contribut ion presents new experimental results regarding internal conversion coeffi cients and monopole transition strengths in 74Se. A large ρ2(E0\; 2 +\n2 → 2 1 ) value has been measured\, with a magnitude comparable to those i n the close Ni isotopes\, while the ρ2(E0\; 0 +3 → 0 2 ) value has been deduced to be small. Also\, for the first time microscopic Beyond-Mean-Fi eld (BMF) calculations for 74 Se will be present\, and the role of triaxia lity in this isotope discussed.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/co ntributions/3377/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3377/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Spectroscopic Studies with Quasi-Free Knockout Reactions DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T082500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3433@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thomas Aumann ()\nQuasi-free knockout reactions have been established in the past years as a versatile spectroscopic tool to s tudy exotic nuclei accelerated to high energy of few hundred MeV/nucleon. The advantage of inverse kinematics is the possibility of kinematical comp lete measurements of the reaction including the detection of the remaining residue after the knockout. The applications of quasi-free knockout react ions are meanwhile manifold\, examples are the study of the single-particl e structure by single-nucleon knockout like (p\,2p)\, or the population of nuclei beyond the drip line by nucleon or cluster knockout reactions as ( p\,2p) and (p\,p alpha). In this presentation we will discuss recent examp les from GSI and the RIBF addressing the aforementioned processes and topi cs.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3433/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3433/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Proton-induced knockout (p\,2N) reactions on stable nuclei as a to ol to determine spectroscopic factors DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T073000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T075500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3357@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tomotsugu Wakasa (Kyushu University)\nProton-induced knockout reactions provide a direct mean of studying the single particle or cluster structures of target nuclei. However\, due to the nature of had ron probe\, these reactions can suffer significant disturbances from the n uclear surroundings and the quantitative theoretical treatment of such pro cesses can also be challenging. In this talk\, firstly we review the exper imental and theoretical progress in this field. The spectroscopic factors extracted using (p\,2N) data at intermediate energies are consisted with t hose determined using (e\,e'p) data\, typically within a 15% deviation\, w hen the geometrical parameters are the same as those employed in the (e\,e 'p) analysis. However\, when the goal is to use the (p\,2N) reactions as a spectroscopic tool\, it is preferable to determine the geometrical parame ters in a self-consistent manner. Thus we further performed a calculation using wave functions generated in a relativistic Hartree model. The spectr oscopic factors deduced from this self-consistent calculation and from the previous standard calculation using a global optical potential agree with the relevant (e\,e'p) results mostly within 15% for light nuclei. This re sult is encouraging for extending to similar studies of unstable nuclei\, for which the properties are not well-known and the parameters for DWIA ca lculations cannot be pre-determined. However\, those for the 208Pb target are significantly large compared with the (e\,e'p) results. In this case\, the DWIA results are very sensitive to the radius parameters of the bound -state potential\, and thus a careful treatment is required.\n\nhttps://in dico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3357/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3357/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Contributions of Prof Anthony Cowley to the field of knockout reac tion studies DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T070000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T072500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3435@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: JJ van Zyl (Stellenbosch University)\nKnockout react ion studies have historically been used as an ideal mechanism to probe the nature of nuclear structure\, especially single-particle properties of nu clei by means of proton knockout reactions such as (p\, 2p). Nucleon-induc ed knockout reactions have also proven useful to unravel details of the nu cleon-nucleon interaction\, as well as the notion of ground state α-clust ering in nuclei through (p\, pα) reaction studies. From the early (p\, 2p ) knockout reaction experiments performed on light 2H\, 3He and 4He target s in the 1970’s\, to his recent 2021 publication looking at the extent t o which knockout\, as opposed to a pickup reaction mechanism contributes i n preequilibrium (p\, α) reactions\, Anthony Cowley leaves behind a legac y of experimental nuclear physics research and training in South Africa. I n this talk we will look at knockout reactions through the different exper imental contributions that Anthony Cowley made throughout his 50-year care er in nuclear physics research.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/co ntributions/3435/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3435/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Immunological Changes During Space Travel: A Ground-Based Evaluati on of the Impact of Neutron Dose Rate on Plasma Cytokine Levels in Human W hole Blood Cultures DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T125500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T131000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3396@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Randall Fisher (Division of Radiation Biophysics\, N RF iThemba LABS)\nConsidering the upcoming long-duration spaceflight missi ons\, a better understanding of the impact of spaceflight exposome on huma n health is urgently warranted. Consequently\, particle accelerator facili ties implement ground-based\, Radiobiology experiments investigating the h ealth effects of simulated-space environments with simulated-psychological or physical stressors. iThemba LABS is such a facility\, with a proton va ult enabling Spaceflight Radiobiology. Historically\, the immune system is notably highly sensitive to spaceflight stressors although\, there’s li mited information on the impact of the complex space radiation environment on the astronauts' immune functioning. This pilot study presents a first step in implementation of ground-based setups with neutron irradiation\, w hich is an important intra-spacecraft radiation component. \nWhole-blood s amples (n=8) were exposed to 0.125 or 1Gy of neutron irradiation (fluence- weighted average energy 29.8MeV) at a lower 0.015Gy/min (LDR) or higher 0. 400Gy/min dose rate (HDR). Post-irradiation\, blood samples were stimulate d with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)\, heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes (HKLM ) or pokeweed mitogen (PWM)\, before 24hrs incubation. Cell-mediated immun ity was examined using the Cytokine Release Assay to analyse interleukin-2 (IL-2)\, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)\, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) plasma levels. \nStimulants significantly inc reased all cytokine levels except IL-2\, where only PWM induced significan t increases. Generally\, no statistically-significant changes were observe d in IL-2\, IFN γ\, and TNF α concentrations\, irrespective of dose or d ose rate\, when compared to stimulated\, sham-irradiated controls. After P WM-stimulation\, IL-10 levels were significantly increased at 0.125Gy HDR and 1Gy LDR. Pooled analysis showed that HDR significantly increased IL-2 titres (under PWM-stimulation) and IFN-γ titres (with all stimulants)\, b ut significantly decreased TNF-α secretion\, without stimulation. \nLimit ed sample numbers restricted strong conclusions in this pilot study invest igating the effect of neutron radiation as a single-stressor on cytokine s ecretion\, induced by various stimulants. An interesting dose rate effects was observed\, which encourages future investigations into the synergisti c effects of multiple spaceflight stressors on immune functioning.\n\nhttp s://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3396/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3396/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:123I-ADAM10 inhibitor as a new theranostic agent for cervical canc er DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T124000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T125500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3393@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Julie Bolcaen (Radiobiology\, Radiation Biophysics\, iThemba LABS\, Cape Town)\nThe aim of this study is to evaluate the suita bility of ADAM10 as a target for imaging cervical cancer using a 123I-radi olabelled ADAM10 inhibitor. A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinases (ADAMs) e xhibit proteolytic activity like matrix metalloproteinases and ADAM10 shed s a range of membrane-bound proteins that play a role in cancer progressio n\, radioresistance and the tumor micro-environment. First\, the therapeut ic and radiosensitizing effects of the non-radiolabelled ADAM10 inhibitor (GI254023X\, GI) were evaluated in cervical cancer cells (Hela\, C33A). Th is includes effects on proliferation\, clonogenicity\, migration\, invasio n\, apoptosis\, DNA damage and adhesion. Preliminary results show an inhib ition of migration but no effect on cell cycle progression\, apoptosis\, n or radiosensitizing effects. Secondly\, GI was radiolabelled with Iodine-1 23 (98% radiochemical purity\, ± 44 MBq/mL). 123I-GI is enantiomerically pure with a thermal stability up to 125°C. Whole blood and protein bindin g studies confirmed a 34% binding to read blood cells with 66% activity lo cated in serum (0-1-2-24 hrs). Within the serum\, 33% was protein bound. T he partition coefficient indicated a lipophilicity of 0.555. Preliminary i n vitro studies demonstrated that 123I-GI was taken up in cervical cancer cells. Blocking studies with an overdose of cold GI did not affect the upt ake of 123I-GI in Hela/C33A cells. The effect of 123I-GI on clonogenicity of Hela/C33A cells is ongoing (auger effect). The potential of 123I-GI as a cancer diagnostic agent will further be investigated using a xenograft c ervical cancer model. The biodistribution\, pharmacokinetics and targeting will be determined in vivo (µSPECT-CT and autoradiography). All these in vitro\, ex vivo and in vivo validations of GI and 123I-GI will give more insights into the cell surface protein’s activity\, function and its rol e in tumorigenesis. This will set the scene for evaluating GI linked to th e alpha therapeutic nuclide 211At or the beta emitting 131I. This study wi ll be the first step in establishing a pipeline for theranostics research at iThemba LABS.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/339 3/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3393/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Determination of the response function of the LaBr3(Ce) detector f or g-quanta\, formed during inelastic scattering of neutrons with an energ y of 14.1 MeV on oxigen nuclei DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T122500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T124000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3397@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Dimitar Grozdanov ()\nThe work is devoted to determi ning the response function of the detector LaBr3(Ce) for γ -quanta\, form ed during inelastic scattering of neutrons with energy of 14.1 MeV on the nuclei 16O. In gamma spectrometry\, output pulses are recorded\, the ampli tudes of which are proportional to the energy lost in the detection medium by incident photons. One of the main tasks of radiation detection is to r estore radiation characteristics from signals measured at the outputs of d etectors. For this\, it is necessary to know\, first of all\, the general characteristics of detectors as converters of radiation into signals. The main characteristic of the detector is its response function\, which can b e defined as the probability that a particle with given properties generat es a certain signal in the detector that will be registered by the device. The article presents the results of modeling the response function of a s cintillation detector based on a LaBr3(Ce) crystal for gamma radiation fro m inelastic fast neutron scattering in order to study the mechanism of its formation.\nThis work was supported by the RSCF grant 23-12-00239.\n\nhtt ps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3397/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3397/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Cyclotron-Production of Innovative Radionuclides: Direct Activatio n and ISOL Technique Experience at INFN-LNL DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T120000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T122500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3335@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michele Ballan (INFN-LNL)\nIntroduction\nThe cyclotr on-based production of radionuclides for medicine is one of the research a ctivities carried out in the framework of the SPES (Selective Production o f Exotic Species) project at the Legnaro National Laboratories of the Nati onal Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN-LNL). The heart of SPES is the 70 MeV proton-cyclotron with a dual-beam extraction\, installed in 2015 in a new building equipped with ancillary laboratories currently under complet ion.\n\nDescription of the Work or Project\nThe SPES project aims at the c onstruction of an advanced ISOL (Isotope Separation On-Line) facility for the production of re-accelerated exotic ion beams for nuclear physics stud ies. The double-beam extraction of the cyclotron also allows to perform mu ltidisciplinary activities\, such as radionuclides production for medical applications and neutron-based research. This work will mainly present the activities carried out in the unit “Radionuclides for medicine and appl ied physics”\, showing the major results obtained with the interdiscipli nary projects LARAMED (LAboratory of RAdionuclides for MEDicine) [Esposito et al.] and ISOLPHARM [Andrighetto et al.]. LARAMED is based on the direc t-activation method\, and it includes the proton-based production of 99mTc \, 67Cu\, 52/51Mn\, 47Sc and recently Tb-isotopes\, from the nuclear cross section measurements to the preclinical studies. ISOLPHARM uses the ISOL technique for the development and the production of radioisotopes with hig h-specific activity\, such as 111Ag\, going beyond the state-of-art in the field. \n\nConclusions\nThanks to a consolidated network of collaboration s with national and international facilities\, including the PRISMAP Europ ean consortium and several Italian universities and hospitals\, the ongoin g research activities on radionuclides production and their perspectives a t the INFN-LNL will be presented at the African Nuclear Physics Conference (ANPC2023). \n\nReferences\n\nJ. Esposito et al. (2019)\, LARAMED: a LAbo ratory for Radioisotopes of MEDical interest\, Molecules 24(1)\, 20\, http s://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24010020\nA. Andrighetto et al.\, ISOLPHARM w ebsite\, https://isolpharm.pd.infn.it/web/\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/e vent/119/contributions/3335/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3335/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Description Of Low-Lying Collective States in Osmium Isotopes in t he Boson Expansion Theory DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T153000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T154500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3385@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Hideo Sakamoto (Gifu University)\nNeutron-rich nucle i with A ~ 190 provide a characteristic testing ground for microscopic the ories of nuclear structures. There are quite a few indications that a prol ate-oblate shape transition takes place at around N = 116 in this region [ 1\, 2]. \n \nThe microscopic description of anharmonicities in nuclear qua drupole collective motions\, in terms of the fermion degrees of freedom\, is a long-standing and fundamental subject in the study of nuclear ma ny-body systems. The boson expansion theory (BET) is a promising method for the subject if the coupling to non-collective states i s faithfully included in the calculation [3]. It allows us to ta ke into account higher-order terms neglected in the RPA\, and the adia batic condition for particle motions can be avoided. \n \nIn this work\, the low-lying collective states in osmium isotopes are investiga ted microscopically by means of the BET with the self-consistent eff ectiv e interactions [4]. The fermion Hamiltonian is comprised of the QQ interaction with its self-consistent higher-order (many-body) terms [5 ]\, monopole- and quadrupole-pairing interactions in addition to the sp herical limit of the Nilsson Hamiltonian. The Kishimoto-Tamura meth od of normal-ordered linked-cluster expansion of the modified Maru mori boson mapping [6] is applied to construct the microscopic boson imag e of the Hamiltonian and that of the E2 operator. The potential energy sur faces and the structures of boson wave functions for some relevant low-lyi ng collective states are illustrated [7]. Calculated level structures and electromagnetic properties are compared with the available experimental da ta. \n \n[1] P. Sarriguren\, R. R.-Guzmán and L. M. Robledo\, Phys. Rev. C 77 (2008) 064322. \n[2] N. Al-Dahan et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 85 (2012) 3430 1. \n[3] A. Klein and E. R. Marshalek\, Rev. Mod. Phys. 63 (1991) 375. \n[ 4] H. Sakamoto and T. Kishimoto\, Nucl. Phys. A501 (1989) 205\; ibid. 242. \n[5] H. Sakamoto\, J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 1023 (2018) 012003. \n[6] T. Kis himoto and T. Tamura\, Phys. Rev. C 27 (1983) 341. \n[7] H. Sakamoto\, Phy s. Rev. C 104 (2021) 034304\; J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 1555 (2020) 012023.\n\n https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3385/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3385/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Low-energy dipole response in the Sn isotope chain: Pygmy or not p ygmy? DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T151500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T153000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3384@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Peter von Neumann-Cosel ( Institut für Kernphysik\, Technische Universität Darmstadt\, D-64289 Darmstadt\, Germany)\, Maria Markova (University of Oslo)\, Ann-Cecilie Larsen (University of Oslo)\, E lena Litvinova (Western Michigan University)\nThe observation of resonance -like structure in the electric dipole response of heavy nuclei at energie s around or below the neutron\, commonly termed pygmy dipole resonance (PD R)\, has been a topic leading to considerable experimental and theoretical activities in recent years [1-4]. The interest has been triggered by atte mpts to understand the underlying structure but also because of its impact on the cross sections of (n\,γ) reactions relevant for the nucleosynthes is of heavy elements. Qualitatively all mean-field based models predict th e appearance of such a mode\, however\, with a broad range of predicted st rengths and energy centroids depending on the chosen interaction and model space. Many theoretical studies interpret the PDR to arise from neutron s kin oscillations\, which implies a dependence of the PDR strength on neutr on excess. The chain of Sn isotopes represents a particularly interesting case to test the impact of neutron excess on the low-energy E1 response in a systematic manner because their g.s. structure changes little. Here\, w e report results from a systematic investigation of the gamma strength fun ctions (GSFs) in Sn isotopes with mass numbers between 111 and 124. It is based on a combined data set from Oslo-type experiments (as described in R ef. [5]) and a study of the (p\,p’) reaction [6] at very forward angles\ , together covering an energy range 2 - 20 MeV. This allows a decompositio n of the low-energy dipole response with minimal assumptions into contribu tions from the tail of the giant dipole resonance and possible resonance-l ike structures on top. The excess strength is dominated by a peak at about 8 MeV seen in the isovector response only. For masses ≥118\, the data d emand the inclusion of a second peak centered at about 6.5 MeV and identif ied as the PDR by comparison with isoscalar probes [7\,8] and (γ\,γ’) experiments [9\,10]. Its strength corresponds to 0.1 - 0.5% of the TRK sum rule (much smaller than predicted in most theoretical investigations) but exhibits an approximately linear increase with mass number. The results a re also compared to ab initio-based microscopic models [11].\n\nSupported by the Research Council of Norway (project number 316116)\, the DFG under contract SFB 1245 (project 279384907)\, the GANIL visitor program\, US-NSF grant PHY-2209376\, and US-NSF career grant PHY-1654379.\n\n[1] N. Paar\, D. Vretenar\, E. Khan\, and G. Colò\, Rep. Prog. Phys. 70\, 691 (2007).\ n[2] D. Savran\, T. Aumann\, and A. Zilges\, Prog. Part. Nucl. Phys. 70\, 210 (2013).\n[3] A. Bracco\, E. Lanza\, and A. Tamii\, Prog. Part. Nucl. P hys. 106\, 360 (2019).\n[4] E. Lanza\, L. Pellegri\, A. Vitturi\, and M. A ndrés\, Prog. Part. Nucl. Phys. 129\, 104006 (2023).\n[5] M. Markova et a l.\, Phys. Rev. Lett. 127\, 182501 (2021)\; Phys. Rev. C 106\, 034322 (202 2)\; Phys. Rev. C 108\, 014315 (2023).\n[6] S. Bassauer et al.\, Phys. Rev . C 102\, 034327 (2020).\n[7] J. Endres et al.\, Phys. Rev. Lett. 105\, 21 2503 (2010).\n[8] L. Pellegri et al.\, Phys. Lett. B 738\, 519 (2014).\n[9 ] K. Govaert et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 57\, 2229 (1998).\n[10] B. Özel-Tashen ov et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 90\, 024304 (2014).\n[11] E. Litvinova\, arXiv:23 08.07574 (2023).\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/338 4/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3384/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Testing the generalized Brink-Axel hypothesis in heavy nuclei DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T150000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T151500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3364@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Peter von Neumann-Cosel (Institut fuer Kernphysik\, TU Darmstadt)\nQuasicontinuum gamma decay following compound reactions - c ommonly called Oslo method - is probably the most important source of info rmation on the gamma strength functions and level densities of nuclei belo w particle threshold. A fundamental assumption in the analysis of Oslo-typ e data (and in fact all astrophysical reaction network calculations) is th e generalized Brink-Axel (BA) hypothesis\, whose applicability to the low- energy regime is under debate (see [1] and references therein). Since all other methods are based on the measurement of photoabsorption from the gro und state\, a test of the equivalence of results from absorption and emiss ion experiments in the same nuclei postulated by the BA hypothesis is most important. I will discuss inelastic proton scattering experiments perform ed at RCNP in extreme forward kinematics\, where relativistic Coulomb exci tation dominates the cross sections [2]. Such data provide information on the E1 [3] and M1 [4] parts of the GSF and their sum can be directly compa red to the compound-nucleus decay experiments. Furthermore\, their very go od energy resolution permits the extraction of level densities [5-7] and t hereby an independent test of the normalization methods applied in the ana lysis of Oslo-type data.\n[1] M. Markova et al.\, Phys. Rev. Lett. 127\, 1 82501 (2021)\n[2] P. von Neumann-Cosel and A. Tamii\, Eur. Phys. J. A 55\, 110 (2019)\n[3] S. Bassauer et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 102\, 034327 (2020)\n[4 ] S. Bassauer\, P. von Neumann-Cosel and A. Tamii\, Phys. Rev. C 94\, 0543 13 (2016)\n[5] I. Poltoratska et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 89\, 054322 (2014)\n[6 ] D. Martin et al.\, Phys. Rev. Lett. 119\, 182503 (2107)\n[7] M. Markova et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 106\, 034322 (2022)\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/ev ent/119/contributions/3364/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3364/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Investigating the character of the PDR in 96Mo via one-nucleon tra nsfer reactions DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T144500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T150000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3374@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thuthukile Khumalo (iThemba LABS)\nThe low-lying E1 strength which has been termed the pygmy dipole resonance (PDR)\, manifest s as a concentration of 1$^{-}$ states below and around the neutron thresh old. It has thus far been observed in neutron-rich nuclei and its study ma y have implications on the nuclear equation of state and nucleosynthesis. Since its discovery\, there has been a great deal of work in an attempt to understand its nature\, both theoretically and experimentally. The degree to which the dipole states are collective is amongst the characteristics of the PDR under scrutiny. This study is an attempt to probe the nature of the PDR\, specifically the single-particle or collective character of the se states. One-nucleon transfer reactions are the probes of choice for thi s goal due to their selectivity in probing single-particle configurations. The neutron stripping reaction\, $^{97}$Mo(p\,d)$^{96}$Mo and the neutron pickup reaction $^{95}$Mo(d\,p)$^{96}$Mo\, were used to populate the nucl eus of interest\,$^{96}$Mo. The experiment was conducted at the MAGNEX fac ility of INFN-LNS in Catania\, Italy. The ejectiles were momentum-analyzed by the MAGNEX spectrometer and detected by its focal-plane detection syst em. In this talk\, the results of this experiment will be presented.\n\nTh is work is based on the research supported in part by the National Researc h foundation (NRF)\nof South Africa grant number 118846\n\nhttps://indico. tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3374/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3374/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Study of the K quantum number of pygmy states in 154Sm DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T143000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T144500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3378@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Refilwe Molaeng (iThemba LABS and University of the Witwatersrand)\nThis study aims to understand the Pygmy Dipole Resonance ( PDR) in the deformed 154Sm nucleus. Despite previous efforts\, the interpr etation of the behavior and nature of this low-energy resonance remains un clear with respect to the effects of neutron excess and deformation in nuc lei. This further limits the predictive power of exotic nuclei properties. The current study uses the (γ\, γ′) technique to explore dipole state s from 3.5 MeV to the neutron separation threshold (8 MeV). The experiment was performed with the improved γ 3 setup available at the HIγS facilit y of the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory. The setup allows for me asurements by the asymmetry method of the character of the populated trans itions in order to distinguish between the contribution of 1− and 1+ sta tes which in particular is important in the study of a deformed nucleus. T he high beam resolution mode (< 2%) available at HIγS allows for the meas urement of the decay branching ratio to the first 2 + state. This will hel p to identify the K quantum number of different excited states and the PDR as a function of excitation energy. The motivation for the study along wi th experimental details will be provided. The initial data analysis will b e discussed and an overview of future comparisons will be given.\n\nhttps: //indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3378/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3378/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Theoretical approaches describing low-lying dipole states DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T140500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231130T143000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3336@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Edoardo G. Lanza ()\nThe presence of the low-lying d ipole states on stable and unstable nuclei with neutron excess - known as Pygmy Dipole Resonances (PDR) - is well established in theoretical and ex perimental studies. The isospin mixed nature of the PDR allows to study th e excitation with isovector and isoscalar probes.\nThe theoretical approac hes devoted to investigate this new mode extend from the macroscopic colle ctive models to the microscopic mean-field theories\; all of them reproduc ing the isospin mixing feature. \nDetailed investigation on the reaction m echanisms are in order when isoscalar probes are used. Cross section calcu lations - based on detailed structure descriptions - are calculated within semiclassical Coupled Channel equations with particular attention to the construction of the nuclear potential and radial form factors with the mic roscopic transition densities. \nA short review will be presented on both structure and dynamic approaches paying attention to some of the few quest ions that remain to be clarified.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/ contributions/3336/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3336/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Enhancing Range Verification Techniques in Proton Therapy through a Hybrid Compton Camera DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T144500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T150000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3398@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:The UCT POLARIS system\, a solid-state CZT detector designed f or prompt gamma-ray imaging\, has shown promise in improving range verific ation techniques in proton therapy. Nevertheless\, limitations in timing r esolution and energy range currently restrict its full clinical applicabil ity. In this project\, we present a novel approach to address these limita tions by integrating the POLARIS detector with a fast-timing 2" x 2" LaBr$ _3$(Ce) detector\, creating a hybrid Compton camera. While the LaBr$_3$(Ce ) detectors offer exceptional timing and energy resolution\, along with an extended maximum energy range\, the POLARIS detectors exhibit high positi on sensitivity and excellent energy resolution. To assess the feasibility of this hybrid setup\, we conducted source measurements and a pulse-select ed 66 MeV proton beam experiment at iThemba LABS.\n\nAccurate tracking of double scatter gamma ray events from the POLARIS detector into the LaBr$_3 $(Ce) detector is crucial\, making effective background reduction essentia l to minimize unphysical events. Leveraging the onboard electronics of the POLARIS detector\, we can selectively identify single scatter events with in the CZT crystals. Additionally\, to further reduce background\, we empl oy a cyclotron beam radiofrequency time of flight analysis on the fast tim e data of the LaBr$_3$(Ce) detector. This analysis enables the identificat ion and selection of gamma-ray events resulting from interactions between the proton beam and the target. By integrating these data reduction techni ques and ensuring meticulous time synchronization of the two detector data acquisition systems\, we aim to achieve precise tracking of gamma rays ac ross both detectors.\n\nThe development of this Compton camera holds poten tial in enhancing range verification techniques\, ultimately paving the wa y for the advancement of a clinical prompt gamma-ray imaging system. Throu gh this approach\, we anticipate strides in the field of proton therapy\, offering improved accuracy and efficacy in treatment planning and delivery .\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3398/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3398/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:NICA facility for applied research: New gates for cooperation in l ife sciences\, material sciences and novel nuclear technologies DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T143000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T144500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3394@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Oleg Belov (Joint Institute for Nuclear Research)\nT he talk will cover recent initiatives and options be provided by NICA faci lity for applied research be performed with ion beams. NICA (Nuclotron-bas ed Ion Collider fAсility) is a new accelerator complex designed at the Jo int Institute for Nuclear Research to study properties of dense baryonic m atter. Besides the fundamental physics issues\, the NICA team is also work ing under construction of special beamlines for applied research\, includi ng biomedical applications\, space research\, radiation materials science\ , radiation testing of microelectronics and novel developments for ADS. Th e Applied Research Infrastructure for Advanced Developments at NICA fAcili ty\, recently named ARIADNA\, will include: (1) beamlines with magnetic op tics\, power supplies\, beam diagnostics systems\, cooling systems\, etc.\ , (2) several experimental zones equipped with target stations for users ( detectors\, sample holders\, irradiation control and monitoring system\, e tc.) and (3) supporting user infrastructure (areas for deployment of user equipment\, for sample preparation and post-irradiation express analyses). \n\nOverall scope of applied research be performed using ARIADNA beamlines includes but limited to radiation protection in space\, radiation testing of microelectronics\, materials research with ion beams and novel technol ogy for radiation waste processing.\n\nZone 1 and its experimental station is designed for studying radiation damage to decapsulated microcircuits w ith low-energy ion beams extracted from the HILAC at the energy of 3.2 MeV /nucleon. The spectra of available particles will include protons and ions with Z = 2 to 92\, which enables simulating certain aspects of exposure o f non-biological samples to low-energy component of space radiation. Zone 2 will provide an opportunity for irradiation of different samples with in termediate-energy ion beams of 150–1000 MeV/nucleon. Zone 2 includes two target stations designed for space radiobiology studies\, radiation mater ials science and investigating the radiation damage to capsulated microele ctronics. At both target stations the following ions are expected to be av ailable: 12C6+\, 40Ar18+\, 56Fe26+\, 84Kr36+\, 131Xe54+\, 197Au79. Conside ring the recent trends and multiple requests raised by potential users\, t here is an intent to extend acceleration techniques towards realistic simu lation of galactic cosmic rays with NICA beams\, including implementation of the specific acceleration regime with rapid switching of ions and energ ies. Zone 3 is designed for development of novel nuclear power technologie s\, including development of ADS. The beams of 1H1+\, 2D1+\, 12C6+\, 40Ar1 8+ and 7Li3 with energies of 0.3-4 GeV/nucleon are planned to be available at the target station of this zone. Zone 4 is intended for long-term expo sure of materials science and biological samples to heavy ions with energi es of 1-4 GeV/nucleon. The recent test experiments in this zone were perfo rmed with 3.8 GeV/nucleon 124Xe54+ ions.\n\nThe talk will particularly dem onstrate the sample activities recently performed at NICA and plans on for thcoming applied research programmes\, including those being implemented w ithin the ARIADNA collaborations. The ways of getting involved in ARIADNA collaborations will also be shared.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/11 9/contributions/3394/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3394/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Effects of exposure to neutrons and protons on neurochemical param eters of brain monoamine metabolism\, behavioral and cognitive capacities of Sprague Dawley rats DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T141500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T143000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3395@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kseniia Belokopytova (Joint Institute for Nuclear Re search)\nRadiation damage to the central nervous system (CNS) has become a n intriguing health problem of the last decades\, largely due to the issue s of radiation hazard of human deep-space flights and brain radiation ther apy issues. In spite of recent intensive research in this field\, the fund amental properties of regulatory pathways associated with radiation-induce d CNS impairments remain mostly unclear. The complex assessment of multipl e brain metabolic systems is of utmost importance in this regard. Another issue mainly related to the space radiation exposure is the combined effec t induced in CNS by composition of different radiation modalities. Given t he gap of knowledge regarding such exposures\, we evaluated the effects of exposure both to neutrons and protons in order to probe a mixed outcome e valuated through the analysis of neurochemical parameters and cognitive fu nctions in Sprague Dawley rats. Animals were exposed to a single dose of 1 Gy of neutrons or protons separately or 0.5 and 0.5 Gy of neutrons and pr otons sequentially to get a combined effect. Measurements of neuromodulato r concentrations were performed in the prefrontal cortex\, nucleus accumbe ns\, hypothalamus\, hippocampus\, striatum\, pituitary gland and cerebellu m. The concentrations of the substances were measured with the LC304T high -performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. The data sets were taken 30 and 90 days after exposure. The animals’ behavior was studied using the open field exploration test and elevated plus maze test\, which enable s assessment of novel environment exploration\, general locomotor activity \, and anxiety-like behavior in rodents. We observed differences in patter ns of action of neutrons\, protons and combined exposure. In particular\, the prefrontal cortex demonstrated a more pronounced effect after proton i rradiation compared to neutrons and a mixture of two radiation modalities. The talk will share the results of comparative analysis of neurochemical and behavioral data taken in the experiment.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za /event/119/contributions/3395/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3395/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Medical applications with heavy/radioactive ion beams DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T135000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T141500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3350@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Charlot Vandevoorde (GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research)\nParticle accelerator institutes have extensively contribute d to biomedical research programs worldwide\, which are of particular impo rtance for their societal benefit and impact on human health. Ionizing rad iation possesses the ability to directly damage the DNA structure of cells \, causing DNA breaks\, which can ultimately result in cell death. \nThis property has been used since many years for cancer treatment and sparked t he interest of the nuclear physics research community to develop charged p article therapy at the end of last century. The technique exploits the Bra gg peak of charged particles in order to reduce toxicity and improve local control compared to conventional X-ray based radiotherapy for cancer trea tment. Cyclotrons and synchrotrons for charged-particle therapy are bloomi ng worldwide and nowadays\, the field is characterized by a fast successio n of technological advances in additional to intense preclinical research programs on topics such as FLASH and spatially fractionated mini-beams wit h both protons and heavy ions. While the underlying radiobiological mechan isms of these new techniques are still a topic of active debate\, several studies have already illustrated that these novel beam delivery methods la rgely reduce normal tissue toxicity in animal models. \nIn parallel\, seve ral imaging techniques are making use of radiation properties to improve t he diagnosis and the efficiency of cancer treatments. This brings us to an other\, main medical application of accelerator produced beams\, which is the production of radioisotopes for imaging\, therapy\, or both under the theranostics umbrella. Major advances in theranostics are expected by the introduction of α-particle and Auger electron emitting isotopes\, due to their higher cytotoxic effectiveness to kill radioresistant tumour cells c ompared to more conventionally used β-emitters. Improvements in radiation dosimetry and genomic assessment of radiosensitivity will guide precision theranostics to avoid both undertreatment and off-target toxicity. \nRese arch in space radiation protection also needs accelerators to simulate the cosmic radiation that astronauts encounter in the space environment and p articularly beyond lower earth orbit. In fact\, most of our knowledge on r adiation risk in space comes from experiments at ground-based particle acc elerators. \nWe are currently facing an era in which several new accelerat or centers are under construction and existing facilities are upgraded. Th ose facilities will soon deliver their first beams of higher intensity and energy than we could ever produce before and all these institutes have am bitious biomedical research programs that are innovative and potentially c an lead to breakthrough discoveries. High energy is obviously important fo r to mimic high energy cosmic rays for space radiation research\, but can also be useful for particle radiography in order to reduce range uncertain ty in particle therapy. The higher intensity can also be a potential major breakthrough in particle therapy\, where ultrafast treatments are conveni ent for clinical workflow and the mitigation of the problem of moving targ ets. Finally\, radioactive ion beams (RIB)\, one of the main nuclear physi cs topics that justify the construction of new nuclear physics facilities\ , are potentially an extraordinary tool for cancer therapy as they allow t he online visualization of beams during irradiation and for the production of novel radioisotopes.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contribut ions/3350/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3350/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Testing indirect experimental methods for constraining the 193\,19 4Ir(n\,γ) cross sections DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T130500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T132000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3376@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sebenzile Pretty Engelinah Magagula (University of t he Witwatersrand and iThemba Labs)\nAbstract\n\nAs much as nucleosynthesis or element formation is concerned\, almost all the nuclei heavier than ir on have been made in part by the slow neutron capture and the rapid neutro n capture processes (≈ 50% each)\, respectively known as the s- and r- p rocesses [1].\nThe neutron capture reactions 192Ir(n\,γ)193Ir and 193Ir(n \,γ)194Ir are indirectly studied by analysing data obtained from the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory (OCL). These data will allow for the study of 193\,1 94 Ir iso- topes\, from the 192Os(α\,tγ) and 192Os(α\,dγ) reactions\, respectively. The 193Ir(n\,γ)194Ir cross sections which will be constrain ed by our measurement will provide a comparison to existing (n\,γ) measur ement data [2].\nIn addition\, the 192Ir(n\,γ)193Ir reaction is a branchi ng point in the s-process making it very interesting\, but it is challengi ng to measure the (n\,γ ) cross section directly since 192 Ir is unstable . Therefore the OCL data may provide very valuable information on the 192I r(n\,γ)193Ir cross section by indirectly constraining it with the experim ental nuclear level density (NLD) and γ-strength function (γSF).\nAn arr ay of Sodium Iodine (NaI)Tl detectors\, called CACTUS\, detected γ-rays a nd the silicon particle telescope array\, called SiRi\, was used to detect charged particles in coincidence. The NLDs and γSFs are being extracted below the neutron separation energy\, Sn\, using the Oslo Method [3]. Furt hermore\, the NLDs and γSFs will be used as inputs in the open-source cod e called TALYS to calculate cross-sections of 193\,194 Ir. I will provide preliminary results of the measured NLDs and γSFs from the 192Os(α\,dγ) 194Ir reaction which will be used as inputs in the code TALYS to calculate cross-sections of 193\,194Ir.\n\n\n[1] Arnould\, M.\, Goriely\, S.\, and Takahashi\, K. (2007). Physics Reports\, 450(4-6)\, 97-213.\n[2] Zerkin\, V. V.\, and Pritychenko\, B. (2018). The experimental nuclear reaction dat a (EXFOR) 888\, 31-43.\n[3] Schiller\, A.\, Bergholt\, L.\, Guttormsen\, M .\, Melby\, E.\, Rekstad\, J.\, and Siem\, S. (2000). Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators\, Spectrometers\, Detectors and Associated Equip- ment\, 447(3)\, 498-511.\n\nThis work is b ased on the research supported by the National Research Foundation of Sout h Africa (Grant Number:PMDS22070734847) and SAINTS Prestigious Doctoral Sc holarship.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3376/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3376/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Oslo Method at iThemba LABS DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T125000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T130500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3363@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Vetle Wegner Ingeberg (Department of Physics\, Unive rsity of Oslo)\nThe Oslo Method is a powerful tool that allows for detaile d studies of the Nuclear Level Density (NLD) and $\\gamma$-ray strength fu nction ($\\gamma$SF) at energies below the neutron separation energy. In t he last decade\, several Oslo Method experiments have been performed at iT hemba LABS\, most notably with inverse-kinematics. Coupling the Oslo Metho d with inverse kinematics allows for study of nuclei that otherwise would have been inaccessible due to chemical properties or short half-life.\nThe first ever inverse-Oslo method experiment was performed at iThemba LABS i n 2015 where an $^{86}\\mathrm{Kr}$ beam impinged on a deuterated polyethy lene target [1]. Following the success of this experiment two more inverse -kinematics experiments was performed with $^{84}\\mathrm{Kr}$ and $^{132} \\mathrm{Xe}$ beams\, to study the NLD and $\\gamma$SF of $^{85}\\mathrm{K r}$ and $^{133}\\mathrm{Xe}$\, respectively.\n\nIt has been suggested that for very hot plasmas the nucleus should interact with electrons (Nuclear Plasma Interaction/NPI)\, as the level spacing within the quasi-continuum would be on a similar scale as the electron energies [2]. The strength of the interaction would be strongly affected by the magnitude of the $\\gamm a$SF at low energy and accurate measurement of the low energy region of th e $\\gamma$SF is critical to give accurate theoretical estimates for the m agnitude of this effect. The effect of NPI has been tested on $^{133}\\mat hrm{Xe}$ at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory [2]\, which is the main motivation for measuring the $\\gamma$SF and NLD of $^{133}\\mathrm{Xe}$. \n\nThe reason for investigating the NLD and $\\gamma$SF of $^{85}\\mathrm {Kr}$ is due to the significant structural changes that nuclei near magic numbers typically undergo. By examining NLD and $\\gamma$SF data for $N=49 $ and $N=51$ isotopes of $\\mathrm{Kr}$\, valuable information about these structural changes can be revealed. Additionally\, the mass region around $\\mathrm{A}\\sim 80$ is important for nucleosynthesis\, as $^{85}\\mathr m{Kr}$ functions as a branching point nucleus for the s-process\, and nucl ei within this range can have an impact on the weak r-process. Therefore\, the existence of a low energy enhancement in this region could have a sig nificant impact on nucleosynthesis models [3].\n\nIn this talk I will pres ent the results of inverse-Oslo experiments performed at iThemba LABS\, as well as the NLD and $\\gamma$SF of $^{63}\\mathrm{Ni}$\, which has been m easured with the Oslo Method with normal kinematics at iThemba LABS [4].\n \n\n[1] V. W. Ingeberg et al.\, EpJ A **56**\, 68 (2020)\n[2] D. L. Bleuel et al.\, Plasma and Fusion Research **11**\, 3401075 (2016)\n[3] A. C. La rsen and S. Goriely\, Phys. Rev. C **82**\, 14318 (2010)\n[4] V. W. Ingebe rg et al.\, Phys. Rev. C **106**\, 054315 (2022)\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.a c.za/event/119/contributions/3363/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3363/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Results and Perspectives of the LUNA Experiment DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T122500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T125000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3339@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Marialuisa Aliotta (University of Edinburgh)\nPionee ring nuclear reaction studies of astrophysical interest have been carried out at the Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics (LUNA) for abou t three decades (see [1] for a recent review). Shielded by 1.4 km of rock under the Gran Sasso mountain\, LUNA benefits from a million-fold reductio n in cosmic-ray induced background compared to surface laboratories. This has made it possible\, often for the first time\, to push measurements tow ards the lowest energy frontiers of thermonuclear fusion.\n\nDirect experi mental studies of hydrogen-burning reactions (pp-chain\, CNO-\, NeNa- and AlMg-cycles) in various astrophysical sites have led to significant improv ements in our understanding of the lives and deaths of stars and the origi n of the chemical elements in the Universe.\n\nIn this talk\, I will revie w some recent highlights on Big-Bang and stellar nucleosynthesis processes \, and present exciting opportunities for upcoming studies of helium- and carbon-burning reactions at the recently installed 3.5MV accelerator.\n\n[ 1] M. Aliotta\, A. Boeltzig\, R. Depalo\, G. Gyurky\, Ann. Rev. of Nucl. P art. Sci. 72 (2022) 177-204\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contri butions/3339/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3339/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Photon Strength Function studies at iThemba LABS DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T104500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T110000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3383@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kgashane Malatji (iThemba LABS)\nThe study of nuclea r statistical properties is of importance not only in nuclear waste transm utation [1] and nuclear fuel cycles [2] but also in nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics studies [3]. These statistical properties - the nucle ar level density (NLD)\, which describes the number of available energy le vels in a nucleus for a given excitation energy\, and the photon strength function($\\gamma$SF)\, which is the electromagnetic decay probability for a nucleus to either emit or absorb a gamma-ray\, are critical ingredients into calculations of radiative neutron capture cross sections\, which are in turn\, used to constrain nucleosynthesis processes.\n\nIn this present ation\, measurements of nuclear level densities and photon strength functi ons performed at iThemba LABS and their applications will be discussed. I will also introduce the newly built low-energy nuclear physics beamline at iThemba LABS’ Tandetron facility\, which is capable of holding 9 HPGe d etectors\, covering an angular range of 26-141 degrees.\n\n[1] N. Colonna et al.\, Energy Environ. Sci. 3\, (2010) 1910.\n[2] Report of the Nuclear Physics and Related Computational Science R\\&D for Advanced Fuel Cycles W orkshop\, DOE Offices of Nuclear Physics and Advanced Scientific Computing Research (2006).\n[3] M. Arnould and S. Goriely\, Phys. Rep. 384 (2003) 1 –84.\n\nThis work is based on the research supported by the National Res earch Foundation of South Africa Grant Number 133636 and 118846\n\nhttps:/ /indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3383/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3383/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Recent results and prospects for research with radioactive beams a t the FLNR DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T103000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T104500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3403@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Grzegorz Kaminski (Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Rect ions\, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research)\nA significant part of the up grade of the Dubna Radioactive Ion Beams facility was putting in operation a new high acceptance device - the ACCULINNA-2 fragment separator\, http: //flerovlab.jinr.ru/accullina-ii/. It’s the new in-flight facility for o perating with low energy 30-60 AMeV primary beams with 3 ≤ Z ≤ 36 deli vered by U-400M cyclotron. The new separator provides high quality seconda ry beams what opened new opportunities for experiments with RIBs in the in termediate energy range 10÷50 AMeV. Since 2018 a few experimental studies have been carried out at the ACCULINNA-2 setup [1-4]. Recent experimental results on 6\,7H\, 7He will be presented. A new experimental program with RIBs at the FLNR starting in 2024 and potential of using additional equip ment as radio frequency filter\, zero angle spectrometer\, cryogenic triti um target and new detectors development will be discussed.\n\n1. G. Kamins ki\, et al.\, “Status of the new fragment separator ACCULINNA-2 and firs t experiments”\, Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. B 463 (2020) 504-507. \n2. A.A. Bezbakh et al.\, Evidence for the first excited state of 7H”\, Phys. Rev. Lett. 124 (2020) 022502.\n3. I.A. Muzalevskii\, et al.\, “Re sonant states in 7H: Experimental studies of the 2H(8He\,3He) reaction”\ , Physical Review C 103 (2021) 044.\n4. E.Yu. Nikolskii\, et al.\, \n“6H states studied in the 2H(8He\,4He) reaction and evidence of an extremely correlated character of the 5H ground state”\, Physical Review C 105 (20 22) 064605.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3403/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3403/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:IAEA activities in support of sustainable development of accelerat or facilities and the IAEA Ion Beam Facility Project DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T100500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T103000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3341@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sotirios Charisopoulos (IAEA)\nDue to their unique a nalytical and irradiation capabilities\, ion beam accelerators play a majo r role in solving problems of modern society related to environmental poll ution and monitoring\, climate change\, water and air quality\, forensics\ , cultural heritage\, agriculture\, development of advanced materials for energy production via fission or fusion\, and many other fields. Moreover\ , particle beams delivered from almost 20.000 accelerators worldwide are u sed for industrial applications and high-tech services resulting in busine ss revenues in the billion-dollar scale\, which clearly demonstrates the d ecisive contribution of particle accelerators to the increase of competiti veness of economies worldwide and the welfare of modern society in general . \nFor all these reasons\, accelerator-based applications are among the t hematic areas\, where the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) suppor ts its member states in strengthening their capacity to adopt and benefit from the use of accelerators. In this context\, the IAEA Physics Section i mplements various activities in support of accelerator-based research and applications that focus on \n• promoting the utilization of accelerators in support of applied research in almost all fields with high societal an d economic impact\, \n• enhancing utilization of existing accelerator in frastructures by enabling facility access for scientists from developing c ountries without such facilities\, \n• assisting scientists from develop ing countries in carrying out feasibility and infrastructure assessment st udies and establishing new accelerator facilities.\n• assisting Member S tates in installing\, operating and maintaining their accelerator faciliti es and associated instrumentation\n\nIn addition to the aforementioned act ivities a feasibility study for an ion beam accelerator facility (IBF) at the IAEA laboratories in Seibersdorf was performed in order to assess the interest of Member States in using this facility. Forty Member States have quantified their needs through replies to a properly designed questionnai re. The analysis of the questionnaires showed high demand in training in a ccelerator technologies and associated Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) techniques\ , as well as in analytical services in almost all areas of IBA application s. An appropriate accelerator design\, matching the IAEA’s programme for capacity building and provision of products and services across many fiel ds of interest for the Member States\, was identified.\n\nUnder these deve lopments\, the need of a project aiming at establishing an ion beam facili ty at Seibersdorf was justified. The main objective of the IBF project is to establish a state-of-the-art accelerator facility at the IAEA laborator ies in Seibersdorf to cover the identified Member States’ needs for trai ning scientists and engineers in operating and applying ion beam accelerat or technologies and to provide a range of associated services. The expecte d outcome of the project is to enhance the capacity and capability of the IAEA to address the rising demand of Member States to provide assistance i n promotion of applied research using accelerator technologies for a large variety of medical and industrial applications.\n\nThis presentation aims at disseminating the IAEA tools and activities in support of accelerator- based research and applications are implemented. Moreover\, details on the feasibility study\, the instruments\, and facilities to become available through the IBF project\, including preliminary estimates of the resources \, will be presented.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contribution s/3341/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3341/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Evolution of the neutron 1d spin-orbit splitting in $^{35}$S and $^{39}$Ca DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T085500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T091000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3373@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sandile Jongile (iThemba LABS)\nNuclei along N=20 pr ovide an excellent region to investigate the change in nuclear structure a nd interactions. From their evolution from the doubly magic nucleus $^{40} $Ca through to the Z=16 and Z=14 nuclei $^{36}$S and $^{34}$Si\, respectiv ely\, to $^{32}$Mg with a deformed $2p-2h$ intruder ground state [1]. The mechanism responsible for the change in shell structure is not well unders tood and is suspected to be a subtle combination of the different componen ts of the nuclear force namely the central\, spin-orbit (SO)\, and tensor parts. A significant reduction of the neutron $d_{5/2}$ and $d_{3/2}$ spi n-orbit splitting between $^{40}$Ca and $^{36}$S\, as protons are removed from the $d_{3/2}$ orbital\, would be indicative of the proton-neutron ten sor force. By comparing the neutron $d_{5/2}$ hole strength between these nuclei\, the strength of the tensor force is probed in an unprecedented ma nner. The centroids of the hole states in $^{35}$S have been inferred from a $^{36}$S(p\,d)$^{35}$S experiment performed at iThemba LABS. A $^{36} $S(p\,d)$^{35}$S reaction is a useful tool to probe the neutron spin-orbit splitting in $^{36}$S\, provided a reliable $^{36}$S target is available. This was achieved by specifically developing a new target system at iThem ba LABS which allows for a cost-effective $^{36}$S target without heavy co ntaminants. This novel target encapsulates sulfur between two Mylar foils and has been shown to be an effective way to produce targets with a signif icant amount of material (0.5-1 mg/cm$^2$). Using this moving $^{36}$S tar get with 66 MeV incident protons states in $^{35}$S were measured with the K600 magnetic spectrometer at iThemba LABS. States up to 20 MeV were obse rved\\\, identifying the neutron single-particle strength below and above the Fermi surface using the detection of the deuterons at the focal plane of the K600 spectrometer with an energy resolution of approximately 30 keV [2]. The results from the $^{36}$S(p\,d)$^{35}$S experiment were compared to the $^{40}$Ca(p\,d)$^{39}$Ca study by Matoba *et al.* [3]. The results show an increase of the neutron $1d_{5/2}$ - $1d_{3/2}$ SO splitting bet ween $^{35}$S and $^{39}$Ca by 0.411 MeV. This is contrary to the univers al trend of SO splitting with increasing mass number which would predict a decrease of ~0.450 MeV. This deviation is highly indicative of the effect of tensor forces. At present\, the tensor force is not implemented in the vast majority of the available mean field and relativistic mean field cal culations\, whereby the amplitude of the SO splitting is solely attributed to the spin-orbit force. This study provides an unambiguous result indica ting the role of the tensor force. It is shown that the strength of the te nsor force is\, however\, lower than predicted by the shell model and ab-i nitio theory.\n[1] O. Sorlin and M.-G. Porquet\, Prog in Particle and Nucl ear \n Physics 61\,602 (2008)\, ISSN 0146-6410 \n[2] R. Neveling\, H. Fuji ta\,*et. al* NIM in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators\, Spectromete rs\, Detectors\, and Associated Equipment 654\, 29 (2011)\, ISSN 0168-9002 \n[3] M. Matoba\, *et. al* Phys. Rev. C 48\, 95 (1993).\nThis work is sup ported by the National Research Foundation of South\nAfrica grant 118846.\ n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3373/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3373/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Nuclear structure via Coulomb excitation DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T083000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T085500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3348@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Akaa Daniel Ayangeakaa (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)\nCoulomb excitation is a well-established and powerful ex perimental technique for probing the structure and dynamics of nuclei in a model-independent way. The technique is especially sensitive to the quadr upole shape degrees of freedom as it selectively excites low-lying collect ive states with cross sections that directly measure the E2 matrix element s involved in the excitation. In particular\, the technique allows the det ermination of transitional and diagonal E2 matrix elements between low-lyi ng states\, the most direct and unambiguous measure of the collective shap e parameters. In addition\, the technique provides unique and model-indepe ndent information on the relative signs of the diagonal E2 matrix elements \, thus allowing a link between reduced transition probabilities and spect roscopic quadrupole moments and the β\,γ shape parameters of the Bohr H amiltonian. In this presentation\, I will explain the principles and appli cations of Coulomb excitation as a tool for exploring quadrupole collectiv ity in nuclei. I will also briefly review the theoretical framework of Cou lomb excitation\, describe experimental setups and methods\, and present r ecent studies that illustrate its contribution to our understanding of sha pe dynamics in neutron-rich nuclei.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/11 9/contributions/3348/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3348/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Nuclear structure studies relevant for new physics searches with x enon detectors DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T080500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T083000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3352@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Smarajit Triambak (University of Western Cape)\nXeno n detector experiments have provided some of the most sensitive searches o f physics beyond the standard model (BSM). These campaigns have placed emp hasis on observing dark matter interactions and/or neutrinoless double bet a decays (0ν2β). Several next-generation experiments aim to build on thi s work and probe for BSM physics with significantly improved sensitivity. In relation to the above\, this talk will present results from recent two- nucleon transfer studies in the A = 136 region. The measurements are used to robustly test predictions made with Hamiltonians that are also used to evaluate the nuclear matrix element for 136Xe 0ν2β. Further implications concerning the detection of solar neutrinos and fermionic dark matter can didates in large xenon-based detectors will also be briefly presented.\n\n https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3352/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3352/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Vote of thanks and handover to Session 1 Chair DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T080500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3443@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lindsay Donaldson (iThemba Laboratory for Accelerato r Based Sciences)\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3443 / LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3443/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Keynote Address DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T073000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T080000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3442@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Buti Manamela (Department of Higher Education\, Scie nce and Innovation)\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/34 42/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3442/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Message from the NRF DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T071500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T073000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3441@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Angus Paterson (National Research Foundation)\nhttps ://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3441/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3441/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Welcome from iThemba LABS DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T070500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T071500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3440@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Victor Tshivhase (iThemba LABS)\nhttps://indico.tlab s.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3440/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3440/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Welcome from the Conference Organisers DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T070000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20231129T070500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T050124Z UID:indico-contribution-119-3439@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lindsay Donaldson (iThemba Laboratory for Accelerato r Based Sciences)\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3439 / LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/119/contributions/3439/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR