BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//CERN//INDICO//EN BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:SA-Norway Collaboration DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T131000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T132500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3791@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sunniva Siem (University of Oslo)\nhttps://indico.tl abs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3791/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3791/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Role of a weakly bound core nucleus in the breakup of a weakly bou nd halo nucleus DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T144500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T150000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3711@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bahati Mukeru ()\nA study of breakup reactions invol ving the $^9$C and $^{30}$F weakly bound nuclei is presented. The $^9{\\rm C}$ is modelled as $^9{\\rm C}\\to{}^8{\\rm B}+p$\, where $^8{\\rm B}\\to {}^7{\\rm Be}+p$\, with a proton ground state separation energy of $S_p=-0 .137$\\\,MeV. The $^{30}$F is modelled as $^{30}{\\rm F}\\to{}^{29}{\\rm F}+n$\, where $^{29}{\\rm F}\\to{}^{27}{\\rm F}+n+n$\, with a two neutrons ground state separation energy of $S_p=-1.443$\\\,MeV. In order to analyz e the role of these weakly bound core nuclei on the breakup observables\, instead of taking on more complicated four-body and five-body systems\, we limit the study to the role of static effect which is associated with the ground state wave function. To this end\, the core-target nuclear potenti als are constructed as follows. For the $^9$C nucleus\, the $^8$B-target n uclear potential is constructed by first obtaining the density of the halo proton within the $^8{\\rm B}+p$ system. Then\, this density together wit h the density of the $^7$Be nucleus are used to obtain the density of the core nucleus $^8$B. This density is then used to construct the $^8$B-targe t nuclear potential by means of a double folding procedure. For the $^{29} $F-target nuclear potential\, the $^{29}$F is treated as $^{29}{\\rm F}\\t o{}^{27}{\\rm F}+{}^2n$. The potential parameters are tuned such that the obtained wave function matches the asymptotic behavior of the $^{29}$F thr ee-body wave function. Then\, the $^{29}$F-target nuclear potential is con structed using the same approach. In both cases\, the three-body breakup o bservables are obtained by means of the continuum discretized coupled-chan nels (CDCC) formalism.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributio ns/3711/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3711/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Analysis of High-Energy (p\,p’) data on 10\,11B for the PANDORA Project DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T162400Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T163000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3774@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andreea Gavrilescu (ELI-NP)\nThe propagation of Ultr a-High-energy cosmic rays (UHECR) in extragalactic space has gathered sign ificant attention in the field of high-energy astrophysics. The motivation behind the PANDORA (Photo-Absorption of Nuclei and Decay Observation for Reactions in Astrophysics) project lies in investigating the photo-disinte gration and energy loss processes experienced by UHECR particles lighter t han iron during their interaction with the strongly Doppler-shifted Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) photons\, seen by UHECRs as high-energy gamma rays. Understanding these complex interactions is essential in comprehendi ng the origins of UHECRs and the mechanisms responsible for their accelera tion to such high energy ranges.\n\nOne of the methods used follows inelas tic proton scattering at 0◦ with proton energies of hundreds of MeV\, wh ich favors excitation of dipole modes by relativistic Coulomb excitation. Another method is to use real gamma rays from a dedicated photon facility. For achieving this goal\, a joined collaboration between ELI-NP\, RCNP\, and iThemba LABS has been created. In both the iThemba and RCNP labs\, an array of double-sided Si strip detectors and a magnetic spectrometer are u sed for particle decay and excitation strength. The gamma decay branches w ill be measured with large volume LaBr3:Ce detectors. Here we will present the PANDORA project and report preliminary analysis from the first experi ment at RCNP on 10\,11B. These measurements can further be used to constra in the propagation and the origin of UHECRs.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za /event/138/contributions/3774/ LOCATION:iThemba LABS Foyer URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3774/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:“Confined β-Soft (CBS) Insights into Rare-Earth Nuclei” DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T161800Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T162400Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3764@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Dimitrios Papadopoulos (Department of Physics\, Nati onal and Kapodistrian University of Athens\, Zografou\, Greece)\nRare-eart h isotopes of the nuclear chart\, particularly the even-even ones of Dyspr osium and Hafnium\, provide an excellent platform for understanding some k ey aspects of nuclear structure\, such as nuclear deformation\, collective excitations\, and shape-phase transitions. These elements exhibit signifi cant collective behavior\, and the analytical solution of the confined β- soft (CBS) rotor model\, introduced by Pietralla and Dusling\, allows for the investigation of nuclei lying between Iachello’s X(5) solution for t he Bohr-Hamiltonian for axially symmetric prolate (γ≈0) nuclei and the rigid rotor limit. This is achieved by assuming an infinite square-well po tential in the quadrupole deformation parameter β and fitting to experime ntal data with only one structural parameter rβ. \nIn this study\, the pr imary aim is to computationally reproduce the energies of the ground-band states and the B(E2) transitions\, comparing the model's ability to follow the experimental values. Additionally\, the β-band level energies are co nsidered\, where experimental data are rather limited. Comparison with the experimental data suggests good agreement with the CBS model\, confirming the strong collective and rotational behaviour of axially symmetric rare- earth elements. The present results showcase the predictive power of the C BS model which lays the path for further studies of the β-bands in the fu ll series of rare-earth isotopes.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/ contributions/3764/ LOCATION:iThemba LABS Foyer URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3764/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Systematics study of octupole bands in rotating even-even nuclei to reveal rigid or soft octupole shape DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T161200Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T161800Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3699@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Muzomuhle Mlotshwa (Nuclear Physics MSc student)\nTh e systematic study of octupole bands in rotating even-even nuclei represen ts an important area of study in nuclear structure physics. Specifically\, it focuses on determining the role of nuclear rotation in influencing the rigidity or softness of octupole shapes. It also investigates how experim ental results from gamma-ray spectroscopy are compared with theoretical pr edictions of octupole deformation. Rotating even-even nuclei with octupole shapes show pairs of positive and negative parity bands at similar excita tion energies. This allows them to rotate around an axis perpendicular to their symmetry axis\, indicating the presence of octupole correlations.\n\ nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3699/ LOCATION:iThemba LABS Foyer URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3699/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Highly oriented pyrolytic graphite chemical bonding structure afte r gallium implantation DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T160600Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T161200Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3703@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tasabeeh Jafer (University of Pretoria )\nHighly or iented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) structural changes caused by gallium (Ga) implantation at room temperature were investigated. Ga ions were implante d into HOPG at different energies (10\, 20\, and 30 keV) and fluences (ran ging from 2×10^15 to 5×10^16 Ga+/cm²). To monitor structural changes in the samples post-implantation\, Raman spectroscopy was employed. The Rama n spectra of the pristine HOPG sample displayed low-intensity D peaks at 1 359 cm⁻¹ and high-intensity G peaks at 1582 cm⁻¹. After implantation with 10 keV at a fluence of 5×10^16 Ga+/cm²\, a decrease in G peak inte nsity was observed\, accompanied by an increase in its full width at half maximum (FWHM)\, indicating defect formation in the HOPG structure. In con trast\, implantation with 30 keV at the same fluence (5×10^16 Ga+/cm²) r esulted in the merging of the D and G peaks into a broad peak\, signifying the amorphization of HOPG. These results confirm that ion energy plays a significant role in the amorphization of HOPG. Furthermore\, implantation with 20 keV Ga ions at fluences ≤2×10^16 Ga+/cm² introduced some defec ts in the HOPG structure\, while higher fluences (≥4×10 16 Ga + /cm²) led to complete amorphization. It appears that the threshold displacement per atom (dpa) required to amorphize the HOPG used in this study is higher than 35 dpa\, significantly exceeding the previously suggested range of 0 .2 dpa to 3 dpa. The findings of this study align with very few prior resu lts\, where no amorphization was observed above 3 dpa. However\, further r esearch and testing are necessary to quantify the dpa required for HOPG am orphization.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3703/ LOCATION:iThemba LABS Foyer URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3703/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Understanding classical novae: The significance of key nuclear dat a for 39Ca DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T160000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T160600Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3766@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 under-predict the abundances of calcium by a factor of 60 in CN e jecta [1]. Existing direct [2] and indirect measurements [3\,4] are in con tradiction concerning the energies and strengths of important resonances i n the $^{38}$K($p$\,$\\gamma$)$^{39}$Ca reaction. Direct measurements of t he lowest three known $\\ell$ = 0 resonances at $E_\\mathrm{r}$ = 386\, 51 5\, and 679 keV have greatly reduced the uncertainties on the reaction rat e for this reaction [2]. However\, considerable uncertainty remains in the spectroscopy of $^{39}$Ca and subsequently\, in the $^{38}$K($p$\,$\\gamm a$)$^{39}$Ca reaction rate. A subsequent $^{40}$Ca($^{3}$He\,$^4$He)$^{39} $Ca experiment using the SplitPole at TUNL [3] concluded that one of the r esonances ($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 t arget 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 keV) could correspond to important resonances in $^{38}$K($p$\,$\\gam ma$)$^{39}$Ca. Resonance energies have an exponential effect on the reacti on rate and the possible new resonances induce a 40% uncertainty in the $^ {38}$K($p$\,$\\gamma$)$^{39}$Ca reaction rate [3]. To resolve these\, $^{3 9}$Ca was studied using the $^{40}$Ca($p\,d$)$^{39}$Ca reaction at forward angles with a proton beam energy of 66 MeV using the K600 magnetic spectr ometer. These measurements are aimed at clarifying the properties of level s in the region where discrepancies between various experiments persist. T he results from the measurements will be presented.\n \n[1] Andrea et al. Astron. Astrophys. 291\, 869-889 (1994)\n\n[2] Christian et al. PRC 97 025 802 (2018)\n\n[3] Setoodehnia et al. PRC 98 055804 (2018)\n\n[4] Hall et a l. PRC 101\, 015804 (2020)\n\n\nThis work is based on the research support ed by the National Research Foundation (NRF) doctoral postgraduate scholar ship (UID 141287) and the Southern African Institute for Nuclear Technolog y and Sciences (SAINTS) Prestigious Doctoral Scholarship.\n\nhttps://indic o.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3766/ LOCATION:iThemba LABS Foyer URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3766/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The practical use of small cosmic ray detectors (e.g. Cosmic Watch ) to conduct lectures and exercises in many fields of science DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T155400Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T160000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3737@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Marcin Bielewicz (NCBJ/JINR - National Centre for Nu clear / Joint Institute for Nuclear Research)\nIn this article we show how to perform a set of very interesting lessons based on measurements of the cosmic muon flux\, by using a set of two small and cheap cosmic ray detec tors (in a coincidence mode). In a simple way we show the principles of bu ilding directional telescopes of such type of radiation\, the influence of the measurement direction\, measurement time and applied filters on the q uality of the collected data. By analyzing the collected data\, we intelli gibly teach the principles of physics\, estimation of measurement errors a nd a clear way of presenting the obtained results. The description of the aforementioned issues is based on several student internships conducted by the author in recent years which form a base to form conclusions that imp rove the educational value of this types of exercises.\n\nhttps://indico.t labs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3737/ LOCATION:iThemba LABS Foyer URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3737/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Systematics study of ground-state bands in rotating even-even nucl ei to reveal triaxial deformation at ground state DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T154800Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T155400Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3734@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nkonzo Xulu (Masters student in Nuclear physics)\nTh e question of whether atomic nuclei can have triaxial shapes at their grou nd states is still an ongoing subject of debate. In this study\, we system atically analyze the ground-state bands of rotating even-even nuclei to id entify the presence of triaxiality across the nuclear chart using experime ntal data. We apply the newly proposed Coriolis analysis method\, which in volves plotting $E_\\gamma = E(I) - E(I-2)$ as a function of spin $I$. Of particular interest is the value $I_c$ at which the curve crosses the x-axis. Using this method\, we analyzed over 600 deformed even-even rotati ng nuclei and obtained results for 268 of them. The results show that thes e nuclei exhibit three distinct shapes: axially symmetric\, stable triaxia l\, and $\\gamma$-unstable shapes. A comparison of these theoretical and our experimental results\, predicted by different models like the FRLDM ca lculations\, shows that several hundred nuclei are affected by triaxiality [1]. A good agreement was found between the theoretical and experimental results\, providing further evidence that the proposed approach is reliabl e. The analysis provides detailed information about the nuclear shapes ass ociated with the nuclear ground-state band\, helping determine whether the shape is axially symmetric or triaxial.\n\nReference\n\n[1] P. Möller\, R. Bengtsson\, B.G. Carlsson\, P. Olivius\, and T. Ichikawa. Global calcu lations of ground-state axial shape asymmetry of nuclei. Phys. Rev. Lett.\ , vol. 97\, p. 162502\, Oct 2006. URL https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/Phy sRevLett.97.162502.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/ 3734/ LOCATION:iThemba LABS Foyer URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3734/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Branching ratio measurements of low-lying p- and α-unbound states in 30S DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T154200Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T154800Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3786@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Esmond Craig Vyfers (Univeraity of the Western Cape) \nThis project aims to measure proton and $\\alpha$ branching ratios of as trophysically relevant states in $^{30}$S to determine $^{26}$Si$(\\alpha\ ,p)^{29}$P and $^{29}$P$(p\,\\gamma)^{30}$S reaction rates in novae and Ty pe I X-ray bursts (XRBs). These phenomena occur in binary star systems tha t include a hydrogen-rich\, main-sequence star and a dense companion star (white dwarf in novae and neutron star in XRBs). The gravitational field o f the companion star leads to an accretion of material from the main-seque nce star\, which builds up on its surface and eventually triggers rapid th ermonuclear runaways. Such explosive astrophysical events are characterize d by a rapid increase in the X-ray luminosity of the companion star over s hort time scales ($\\sim$ 10-100s)\, with the synthesized material violent ly ejected into the interstellar medium. Therefore\, reliable estimates of such critical nuclear reactions are important to understand the elemental abundances of several heavier elements synthesized in novae and Type I XR Bs and $r$-process sites in neutron star mergers. In this work\, we study relevant excited states in $^{30}$S produced using the $^{32}$S$(p\,t)^{30 }$S reaction and the $K600$ magnetic spectrometer at iThemba LABS\, togeth er with a segmented silicon detector array (called the CAKE) and 6 LaBr$_{ 3}$ detectors. The CAKE and LaBr$_{3}$ detector arrays provide a powerful tool to obtain accurate angular-distribution information on competing deca ys from states in $^{30}$S. The data obtained from this experiment are ant icipated to robustly test nova\nmodels and Type I XRBs.\n\nhttps://indico. tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3786/ LOCATION:iThemba LABS Foyer URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3786/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Plasma Window for Enhanced Particle Beam Transmission from Vac uum to Atmosphere DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T153600Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T154200Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3694@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ophir Ruimi (HUJI & HIM/JGU)\nNeutrons play a domina nt role in the stellar nucleosynthesis of heavy elements. We review a sche me for the experimental determinations of neutron-induced reaction cross s ections using a high-intensity neutron source based on the 18O(p\,n)18F re action with an 18O-water target at SARAF’s upcoming Phase II. The quasi- Maxwellian neutron spectrum with effective thermal energy kT ≈ 5 keV\, c haracteristic of the target (p\,n) yield at proton energy Ep ≈ 2.6 MeV c lose to its neutron threshold\, is well suited for laboratory measurements of MACS of neutron-capture reactions\, based on activation of targets of astrophysical interest along the s-process path. 18O-water’s vapour pres sure requires a separation in between the accelerator vacuum and the targe t chamber. The high-intensity proton beam (in the mA range) of SARAF is in compatible with a solid window in the beam’s path. Our suggested solutio n is the use of a Plasma Window\, which is a device that utilizes ionized gas as an interface between vacuum and atmosphere\, and is useful for a pl ethora of applications in science\, engineering and medicine. The high pow er dissipation (few kW) at the target is expected to result in one of the most intense sources of neutrons available at stellar-like energies. Preli minary results concerning proton beam energy loss and heat deposition prof iles for target characteristics and design\, a new fullscale 3D CAD model of the Plasma Window (as well as its operation principles) and the planned experimental scheme at SARAF\, are reviewed. Moreover\, work includes a f easibility study for the use of a plasma window for the Gamma Factory\, a proposed high energy (up to 400 MeV) photon source at CERN.\n\nhttps://ind ico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3694/ LOCATION:iThemba LABS Foyer URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3694/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Development and testing of hot-cavity ion-sources for the LERIB pr oject DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T153000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T153600Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3708@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Busani Bhengu (Msc. Student)\nThe ISOL (Isotope Sepa ration On-Line) techniques [1]\, uses an ion source to produce a radioacti ve ion beam and further separate the unwanted by-products. The ion-sources dedicated to the production of Radioactive Ion Beams (RIB)\, necessary fo r the ISOL techniques\, has to be highly efficient\, selective (to reduce the isobar contamination) and fast (to limit the decay losses of short-liv ed isotopes). The release and ionization of desired isotopes is essential of ISOL techniques. Different target materials and ion-sources are used to achieve this goal. This has been investigated at Low Energy Radioactive I on Beam (LERIB) facility\, which is presently offline and under developmen t at iThemba LABS\, hot-cavity ion-source which employs the surface ioniza tion techniques [2]-[3]. This ion source was used to optimize the ionizati on of potassium atoms\, and mass separated potasium-40 isotopes. This ion source was used to achieve the surface ionization of terbium fluoride and gadolinium oxide producing various molecular ion beams such as terbium mon o-fluoride (TbF+) and gadolinium mono-fluoride (GdF+)\, terbium di-fluorid e (TbF2+) and gadolinium di-fluoride (GdF2+)\, gadolinium monoxide (GdO+) and terbium monoxide (TbO+). The hot cavity ion source produces little ter bium and gadolinium ion beam. This experiment was on the investigation of the best target material for the production and extraction of Tb radionucl ide from Gd target material.\nThe LERIB facility will eventually be purpos ed for the production of Terbium and Actinium isotopes\, which are used in cancer theranostics [4]-[5]. The results presented contribute towards the ongoing research and development of the ion sources at LERIB\, with the a im to eventually produce\, separate\, and implant clean beams of Tb and Ac isotopes on target\, with the goal to later produce isotopic beams from t he implantation targets.\n[1] O. Kofoed-Hansen\, K. Nielsen\, Short-lived krypton isotopes and their daughter substances\, Physical Review Journals 82 (96) (1951) 499. doi:10.1103/PhysRev.82.96.2.\n[2] Yuan Liu\, Yoko Kawa i\, and Hassina Z Bilheux. Characterization of a tubular hot-cavity surfac e ionization source. In Proceedings of the 2005 Particle Accelerator Confe rence. IEEE\, 2005.\n[3] R. Kirchner\, E. Roeckl\, Investigation of small- volume gaseous discharge ion sources for isotope separation on-line\, Nucl ear Instruments and Methods 131 (2) (1975) 371–374. doi:10.1016/0029-554 X(75)90342-0.\n[4] Müller\, C. et al. Alpha-PET with terbium-149: Evidenc e and perspectives for radio-theranostics. EJNMMI Radiopharm. Chem. 1\, 2 –6 (2016).\n[5] Kratochwil\, C. et al. Targeted α-therapy of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with 225Ac-PSMA-617: Swimmer-plot an alysis suggests efficacy regarding duration of tumor control. J. Nucl. Med . 59\, 795–802 (2018).\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contribut ions/3708/ LOCATION:iThemba LABS Foyer URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3708/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Low-Energy Nuclear Physics Research at iThemba LABS: Highlights fr om the H-Line Facility DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T083500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T090000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3678@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kgashane Malatji (iThemba LABS)\nPhoton strength fun ctions (PSFs) are fundamental quantities in nuclear physics\, describing t he average electromagnetic decay properties of excited nuclei. Accurate PS F information is essential for modeling nuclear reactions relevant to both astrophysical processes and nuclear structure.\n\nAt iThemba LABS\, a ded icated facility has been developed for low-energy nuclear physics experime nts that enhance our understanding of nuclear structure\, reaction mechani sms\, and nucleosynthesis. In this talk\, I will present experimental deve lopments and highlight recent radiative proton and alpha capture measureme nts aimed at probing the shape of the PSF\, testing the validity of the Br ink–Axel hypothesis using (p\,γ) reactions\, and investigating the astr ophysical important (a\,γ)reactions.\n\nThis work is based on the researc h supported in-part by the NRF iThemba LABS of South Africa Grant Number 1 33636 and 118846\, by the U.S. Department of Energy\, Office of Science\, Office of Nuclear Physics under Contracts No. DE-AC02-05CH11231 and by the US Nuclear Data Program.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contribu tions/3678/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3678/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:PolFEL - the new Free Electron Laser research infrastructure in Po land DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251126T094000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251126T095500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3736@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Marcin Bielewicz (NCBJ/JINR - National Centre for Nu clear / Joint Institute for Nuclear Research)\nPolFEL is the first Free El ectron Laser (FEL) research infrastructure under development in Poland. Th is new large research facility is being built at the National Centre for N uclear Research (NCBJ) near Warsaw. It will feature a range of experimenta l stations covering a wide portion of the electromagnetic spectrum\, from THz\, through IR\, up to VUV and EUV\, as well as Ultrafast Electron Diffr action (EUD) and Very High Energy Electron (VHEE) stations. Two separate e lectron accelerators are being developed for the project. First is the acc elerator of the photon line\, whose purpose is to generate coherent pulses of electromagnetic radiation in the THz range. Second is the accelerator of the electron line. Both accelerators will utilize superconducting TESLA resonant cavities with a resonant frequency of 1.3 GHz.\n\nThe supercondu cting linac based on two Rossendorf-like accelerating cryomodules and incl uding all superconducting electron gun\, has been designed in order to del iver 20 pC – 250 pC electron bunches to superradiant THz undulator. IR-V UV range will be covered by a set of Nd:YLF and Ti sapphire generators and OPAs enabling the flexible choice of wavelength\, pulse duration and repe tition rate as well as pulse shaping. The light source facility combined i n this way will be complemented with a continuous wave\, MeV ranged UED be amline dedicated for solid and gasous samples. \n\nCurrently\, work on the construction of the accelerator bunker is underway and the major componen ts procurement is being completed. The installation will begin in the half of 2025 aiming at the commissioning and first light in 2026. In this pape r\, I will show the basic parameters and features of the research device b eing built and its main planned research goals for which it will be used i n the future.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3736/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3736/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Warsaw active-target Time Projection Chamber for studying astroph ysical reactions with gamma and neutron beams DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251126T092500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251126T094000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3749@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mikolaj Cwiok (University of Warsaw\, Faculty of Phy sics\, Poland)\nA joint experimental programme is carried out by Universit y of Warsaw (Poland)\, University of Connecticut (USA)\, ELI-NP/IFIN-HH (R omania) and Sheffield Hallam University (UK) in view of studying $(p\,\\ga mma)$ and $(\\alpha\,\\gamma)$ nuclear reactions of current astrophysical interest\, which regulate abundance of carbon and oxygen elements in the U niverse. In particular\, the production of $^{16}O$ and burning of $^{12}C $ via the $^{12}C(\\alpha\,\\gamma)^{16}O$ reaction takes place in stars a t energies close to the Gamow peak. Existing theoretical models of stellar evolution have to rely on extrapolated cross sections from the data colle cted at energies higher than the interesting Gamow peak region due to vari ous limitations of present experimental set-ups\, such as maximal availabl e ion beam currents and target deterioration in case of typical direct rea ction measurements.\n\nThe methodology employed in this work use the princ iple of detailed balance in nuclear reactions. Time-reverse reactions\, su ch as $^{16}O(\\gamma\,\\alpha)^{12}C$\, are studied using a dedicated act ive-target Time Projection Chamber (TPC) detector by reconstructing energi es and angular distributions of the charged products of photo-disintegrati on reactions induced by intense\, semi-monochromatic and collimated gamma- ray beams. Composition and density of the gaseous target can be tuned for reaction of interest and particular energy of the gamma beam. For the benc hmark reaction of $^{12}C(\\alpha\,\\gamma)^{16}O$ the envisaged goal is t o measure cross sections with uncertainty smaller than 20% down to 1 MeV i n the centre-of-mass reference frame. In addition\, the relative contribut ions of E1 and E2 components in the E1+E2 cross section will be extracted from the measured angular distributions at different gamma beam energies.\ n\nThe developed apparatus (Warsaw TPC) has an active volume of $33\\times 20\\times 20$ cm$^3$ that is centred around the beam axis. It employs a s et of Gas Electron Multiplier micro-pattern structures for amplification o f primary ionization induced by charged reaction products in the gaseous t arget kept under lower-than-atmospheric pressure. The kinematics of charge d particles is reconstructed on event-by-event basis from specially arrang ed\, redundant signal strip arrays (_u-v-w_). The readout system for about $10^3$ channels is based on the front-end digitizers developed by the Gen eric Electronics for TPCs (GET) collaboration with a customized FPGA conce ntrator developed at UW.\n\nFirst experiments were conducted in years 2020 -2022 with $\\gamma$-ray beams (8.5-14 MeV photons) from the High Intensit y Gamma-Ray Source (HI$\\gamma$S) facility\, Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory\, Durham\, NC\, USA\, and with the neutron beam from the IGN-1 4 neutron generator (14.1 MeV neutrons) at the Institute for Nuclear Physi cs\, Polish Academy of Science\, Cracow\, Poland.\n\nIn this work\, first results on $^{16}O$ photo-disintegration reaction from the experiment cond ucted at HI$\\gamma$S will be presented for the gamma beam energies corres ponding to nominal $E_{CM}$ from 6.7 MeV down to 1.35 MeV. The results are based on a simplified event reconstruction algorithm after analysing only partial statistics available\, while work on more sophisticated data proc essing is still ongoing. A new multi-purpose version of the TPC apparatus that can study nuclear processes with radioactive ion beams\, in addition to $\\gamma$-ray and neutron beams\, will be presented as well.\n\nhttps:/ /indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3749/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3749/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Progress in ion source development at the Low Energy Radioactive I on Beam (LERIB) facility at iThemba LABS DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251126T091000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251126T092500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3710@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Skye Segal (iThemba LABS)\nTitle: \nProgress in ion source development at the Low Energy Radioactive Ion Beam (LERIB) facility at iThemba LABS \nTitle:\nProgress in Ion Source Development at the Low E nergy Radioactive Ion Beam (LERIB) Facility at iThemba LABS\nAbstract:\nIs otope Separation On-Line (ISOL) is a well-established technique for the pr oduction of radioactive ion beams (RIBs) [1]. It involves the use of a pri mary light ion beam—such as a 66 MeV proton beam at 1 μA for LERIB—im pinging on a heavier elemental target\, typically uranium carbide or silic on carbide. This interaction induces various nuclear reactions\, whose pro ducts then diffuse out of the target material into an ion source\, where t hey are ionized and extracted as RIBs. To facilitate this process\, differ ent types of ion sources must be coupled to the target unit\; together\, t hey form what is known as a Target Ion Source (TIS) system.\nAt the offlin e LERIB facility [2] at iThemba LABS\, two ion sources are currently under development and testing:\n1. A hot cavity surface ionization ion source [ 3]\, which has successfully produced potassium-40 isotope beams for implan tation studies and molecular beams of gadolinium and terbium—potentially relevant to future cancer "theranostic" applications\; and\n2. A Forced E lectron Beam Induced Arc Discharge (FEBIAD) ion source [4]\, currently bei ng prototyped and tested in-house.\nSurface ionization sources primarily i onize Group 1 elements due to their selective nature\, while FEBIAD source s are non-selective and can ionize a broader range of neutral atoms. A mas s-analyzing bending magnet downstream of the ion source enables separation of the desired isotope for further study or application.\nThis presentati on highlights recent progress in ion source development and operational re adiness at the LERIB offline facility.\nReferences: \n1) M Lindroos 2004 C ERN-AB-2004-086\,Review of the ISOL Method\, CERN\, Geneva Switzerland \n2 ) J L Conradie et al 2029 JACoW-Cyclotrons2019-MOB02\, Progress with a Ne w Radioisotope Production Facility and Construction of Radioactive Beam Fa cility at iThemba LABS\n3) S T Segal et al 2023 J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 2586 012144\, Ion Source Development at the off-line LERIB test-facility at iTh emba LABS\n4) M Manzalaro 2011 Study\, design and test of the Target – I on Source system for the INFN SPES facility\, Doctoral Dissertation (Pado va: University of Padua)\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contribut ions/3710/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3710/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Nuclear structure research at Australia's Heavy Ion Accelerator Fa cility: Electromagnetic properties and emerging collectivity in atomic nuc lei DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251126T084500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251126T091000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3684@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andrew Stuchbery (The Australian National University )\nSome highlights of nuclear structure research at Australia's Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility will be discussed. Mapping the emergence of nuclear c ollectivity is a focus\, through $g$-factor and $B(E2)$ measurements. For example\, such measurements on the Te isotopes allow us to map the pathway from the proton $g_{7/2}$ seniority structure in semimagic $^{134}$Te tow ard collective excitations near mid-shell as successive pairs of neutrons are removed. It is found that collectivity does not emerge suddenly\, with the nucleus becoming collective as a whole\, as might be inferred by exam ining energy patterns\, such as $R_{4/2}$ energy ratios\, alone. Rather\, the 2$^+$ states become collective first whereas the first 4$^+$ and 6$^+$ states retain a significant seniority structure. This behaviour is not un ique to the Te isotopes. The meaning of the term “pre-collective” nucl ei will be discussed.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contribution s/3684/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3684/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The DC-140 project: new multipurpose applied science facility at F LNR JINR Accelerator Complex. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T125500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T131000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3757@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Semen Mitrofanov (JINR FLNR)\nThe Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research continues its work on the creation of a multipurpose scientific and applied complex based on the new DC-140 cyclotron. The complex includes three experimenta l channels and is intended applied use of heavy ion beams\, in fields of: the production of the heterogeneous micro - and nano-structured materials\ ; testing of electronic components (avionics and space electronics) for ra diation hardness\; ion-implantation nanotechnology and radiation materials science.\n Basing on FLNR long term experience in these fields and aimi ng to boost the plant performance\, FLNR in 2020 started the Design Study of the dedicated applied science facility which should consist of new mach ine and modern beamlines for the certain applied activity. From the common user’s requirements\, operation simplicity and cost reasons the main pa rameters of future machine and experimental setups were chosen. The facili ty will be based on a new DC-140 isochronous cyclotron. Following the mode rn user’s requirements DC-140 will be the multiparticle\, double - energ y machine\, capable with light and heavy ions up to bismuth will accelerat e the heavy ions with mass-to-charge ratio A/Z of the range from 4.9 to 8. 25 up to fixed energies 2.1 and 4.8 MeV per nucleon.\n Following the ind ustries progress and its requests (thicker nuclear membranes needs\, new c omposite material for material science\, thick complicated multilayer topo logy of components and its’ elements miniaturization) the standards star t to be changed. To follow new requirements and to improve the facility pe rformance\, the next generation facility should provide some important iss ues\, and DC-140 project will offer these to user. First\, the simplicity in operation (in terms of 24x7 beam usage and dedicated beam parameters)\; second\, the ion specific energy of 4.8 MeV per nucleon will provide the ion range in Si around 50 mkm\; third\, the ''beam cocktail'' option (quic k switching between ion species) and two independent casemates for experim ental setups will extremely boost the time efficiency of beam using for s ingle user (example: one could obtain usual set of 5 ion species and make the full-program SEE tests in couples of days). \n The status of the project\, details and methodology will be presented. The new facility shou ld be available for users in 2026.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138 /contributions/3757/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3757/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Measurements of angular distributions of light particles at energi es of astrophysical interest with GASTLY apparatus DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T124000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T125500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3719@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mauro Romoli (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare) \nThe GASTLY (GAs Silicon Two-Layer sYstem) apparatus has been designed an d developed in the recent past to perform cross section measurements of li ght particles emitted in nuclear reactions at energies as close as possibl e to the Gamow peak. In particular\, the alpha and proton channels of the 12C+12C fusion reaction have been studied at E c.m. down to about 2.5 MeV\ , in a first measurement campaign\, obtaining interesting results from an astrophysical point of view\, as reported in [Ref.1]. The modular detectio n system\, based on Ionization Chambers (IC) followed by large-area Silico n Strip Detectors (SSD)\, has been described in detail in [Ref.2] and here we report the improvements made to allow measurements of angular distribu tions with good energy and angular resolution.\nA new electronics has been designed to perform a single strip readout for the Silicon detectors\, us ing 16 home-made low-noise charge preamplifiers (one for each strip)\, pla ced directly inside the aluminum box containing the SSD and the IC electro des and gas (CF4). Due to the high density of electronic lines\, issues su ch as crosstalk between the signals of different strips and power dissipat ion were addressed and solved.\nFurthermore\, a simulation code based on G eant4 routines has been written to evaluate the geometric efficiency of th e detection system and the angular uncertainty for each strip. The simulat ion results have been successfully compared with the results of laboratory tests.\nFinally\, in view of a possible future use of the GASTLY apparatu s in underground experiments\, where restrictions in the use of CF4 gas mi ght be present\, we have successfully tested the functionality of the modu les using different filling gases (e.g.\, Argon). We will also report the measured reduction of the background obtained by performing underground te sts at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS)\, in Italy.\n\n[Ref. 1] L. Morales-Gallegos et al.\, “Direct measurements of the 12 C+ 12 C reactions cross-sections towards astrophysical energies”\, Eur. Phys. J . A (2024) 60:11\, DOI: 10.1140/epja/s10050-024-01233-6\n\n[Ref.2] M. R omoli et al.\, “Development of a two-stage detection array for low-energ y light charged particles in nuclear astrophysics applications”\, Eur.Ph ys.J.A 54 (2018)\, 142\, DOI:10.1140/epja/i2018-12575-5\n\nhttps://indico. tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3719/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3719/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Characterization of instrumental background in a (p\,γ) reaction\ , studied at the iThemba LABS Tandetron facility DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T122500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T124000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3738@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tshegofatso Bokhutlo (student)\nUnderstanding backgr ound radiation is essential for precision studies in any facility. This wo rk investigates background contributions observed during radiative capture measurements at the low-energy nuclear astrophysics beam-line (H-line) of the iThemba LABS Tandetron facility. The H-line is dedicated to studying the statistical properties of proton-rich isotopes via proton or alpha ind uced reactions\, providing key observable such as photon strength function s and level densities which are critical inputs for nucleosynthesis reacti on calculations.\nTo achieve high-precision measurements\, experiments uti lize a high-resolution gamma-ray detection system comprising High-Purity G ermanium (HPGe) and Cerium-doped Lanthanum Bromide (LaBr₃:Ce) detectors\ , along with the 3 MV Tandetron accelerator. This study presents the exper imental setup\, including beam diagnostics\, detector configurations\, and data acquisition systems. A key challenge in these measurements is distin guishing true reaction signals from background contributions\, which may a rise from beam interactions with beam-line elements or contaminants on the target.\nFindings indicate that sub-optimal beam tuning can result in uni ntended interactions with beam-line components\, while beam spreading afte r the target leads to further interactions. This comprehensive background characterization allows for refinements in experimental methodology\, ensu ring improved accuracy in PSF studies.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event /138/contributions/3738/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3738/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Highlights from INFN-LNL\, the Status and the Future plans of the SPES project DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T120000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T122500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3682@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Faical Azaiez (INFN-LNL)\nINFN-LNL is a large-scale facility that offers for users access to up to 5 accelerators covering a l arge range of ions (from protons to Uranium) and a large range of energies (few hundreds of keV to a few tens of MeV per nucleon). The flagship pro ject of LNL is SPES (Selective Production of Exotic Species) that aims at the realization of an accelerator facility for research in the fields of F undamental Physics and Interdisciplinary Physics using ISOL (Isotope Separ ation On Line) type of rare isotopes. SPES aims also at building a facilit y that will be dedicated to Research and Development of innovative radiois otopes for medical diagnostics and therapies.\n\nThe status and future of the SPES project as well as some highlights from LNL related to the AGATA measurements campaign will be presented.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/eve nt/138/contributions/3682/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3682/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Investigating the Photon Strength Function for 61Cu using 60Ni (p\ , γ) Reaction at iThemba LABS DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T125500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T131000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3739@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tshegofatso Goitseone Modise (UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA )\nThe Brink-Axel hypothesis assumes that photo-de-excitation only depends on the emitted γ-ray energy *Eγ* and not the detailed structure of the initial and final states (spin and parity) involved in the transition as i t is the case for photo-excitation process. While the hypothesis is widely used for all PSF energy regions such as the giant dipole resonance (GDR)\ , it remains under investigation for the low energy region [1]. In the pre sent work\, this hypothesis will be tested below the neutron separation en ergy\, using for the first time radiative proton capture. An experiment to indirectly measure the photon strength function (PSF) took place at iThem ba LABS’s Tandetron facility\, to populate excited states in 61Cu utiliz ing 60Ni(p\, γ)61Cu reaction. The model independent ratio method [2] and the shape method [3] will be used to investigate the statistical γ-ray de cay to individual well established discrete states. With the neutron separ ation energy at 11.7 MeV\, populated states with beam energies in the rang e 2.32-4.32 MeV will confine the study below the particle separation energ y.\nData analysis is ongoing\, and preliminary results will be presented\n This research work is supported in part by the National Research Foundatio n (Grant No:118846\, 92600\, 90741\, 92789 and REPSARC180529336567). It is also based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy\, Office of Science\, Office of Nuclear Physics under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH1123 1.\nReferences\n1. S. Goriely et al.\, Eur. Phys. J. A 55\, 172 (2019).\n2 . M. Wiedeking et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 108\, 162503 (2012).\n3. M. Wiedeki ng et al. Phys. Rev.C 104\, 014311 (2021)\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/ev ent/138/contributions/3739/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3739/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:PANDORA Project: Photonuclear Reactions in Light Nuclei DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T124000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T125500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3712@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 is dedicated to both experimental and theoretical a nalysis of photo-nuclear reactions involving light nuclei with a mass belo w $A = 60$. This research is particularly significant in the context of ul tra-high-energy cosmic ray (UHECR) investigations\, where the primary mode of energy attenuation is determined by the electromagnetic interaction of the nucleus with the cosmic microwave background through the isovector gi ant dipole resonance (IVGDR). Currently\, propagation calculations and rea ction models face challenges due to a lack of reliable experimental data s ets for crucial nuclei. Results on $^{12}$C and $^{13}$C from an experimen t conducted at the Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP)\, Japan\, us ing the virtual photon method on (p\,p') inelastic scattering reactions at 392 MeV experiment are presented as well as improvements to the experimen tal method implemented during the following experiment. These improvements include waveform readout analysis for charged particle decay PID at large decay energies and the implementation of the AMINEK digital data acquisit ion system. Finally\, some implictations from the $^{12}$C and $^{13}$C fo r UHECR propagation will be presented.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event /138/contributions/3712/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3712/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Photoabsorption Cross Sections and Branching Ratios in Light Nucle i Studied by Proton Scattering DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T121500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T124000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3686@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Atsushi Tamii (Research Center for Nuclear Physics\, Osaka University)\nThe study of photo-nuclear reactions is crucial for un derstanding nuclear structure and astrophysical processes. The PANDORA (Ph oto-Absorption of Nuclei and Decay Observation for Reactions in Astrophysi cs) project aims to systematically investigate these reactions in nuclei w ith mass numbers below 60. We will use virtual photon exchange through pro ton scattering and high-intensity real-photon beams from laser Compton sca ttering to excite target nuclei. The subsequent decay particles and gamma- rays will be detected to measure photo-absorption cross-sections and decay branching ratios\, covering the giant dipole resonance.\nSeveral nuclear models\, including anti-symmetrized molecular dynamics\, mean-field type m odels\, large-scale shell model\, and ab initio models\, will be employed to predict the systematic behavior of photo-nuclear reactions. The primary objective of the PANDORA project is to elucidate the energy-loss and mass -loss mechanisms of ultra-high-energy cosmic ray (UHECR) nuclei during int ergalactic propagation.\nUHECRs\, observed on Earth up to energies above 1 0^20 eV by large cosmic-ray air-shower observatories such as Pierre Auger and Telescope Array\, remain a mystery in terms of origin\, acceleration m echanisms\, and composition. Recent analyses suggest a heavier mass compos ition for UHECRs at the highest energies. UHECR nuclei are predicted to lo se energy primarily by emitting particles following photo-nuclear excitati on by cosmic microwave background photons. Thus\, understanding photoabsor ption cross-sections and decay branching ratios is essential for interpret ing the energy and mass evolution of UHECRs.\nI will introduce the overall project\, the experimental methods for studying the photo-nuclear reactio ns by proton scattering at the Research Center for Nuclear Physics\, Osaka University\, and report on the status of the experimental results at RCNP . The contents will be optimized depending on the presentations by the oth er collaborators in the conference.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/13 8/contributions/3686/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3686/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Difference and Peculiarity of multinucleon transfer in reactions induced by 40\,48Ca ions on Au and U targets DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T105000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T110500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3691@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sergey Lukyanov (Flerov Laboratory of JINR)\nMultinu cleon transfer (MNT) reactions induced by 40\,48Ca ions on Au target have been studied at 400 MeV bombarding energy. Projectile-like fragments have been identified in nuclear charge\, angular and kinetic energy distribu tions and inclusive cross sections were measured. Two groups of products w ere identified in: 1) deep-inelastic products\, the maximum yield of these products was at forward direction and 2) quasi-elastic with the formatio n of projectile-like products\, with the maximum yield of these products at the grazing angle.\n\n In the reaction 48Ca+Au\, for witch quasi-elast ic dominated\, the angular distributions of the products of stripping and picking up protons (up to 8 ) were measured (Fig.2)\, and it was found t hat the cross sections of stripping protons were close to the correspondin g values of picking up the same number of protons from the nucleus of the incident ion. Otherwise\, in the reaction 40Ca+Au\, only proton stripping channels were observed in the quasi-elastic channel and the process of pi cking up protons was not token place. This behavior was interpreted by ext ra neutron excess in 48Ca\, allowing to pickup additional proton for N/Z b alance in MNT process. Our finding might be important from the point of vi ew of astrophysics and an optimization of primary reaction to produce sec ondary beams in the region mass A≥48.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/eve nt/138/contributions/3691/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3691/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Systematic studies to produce heavy above-target nuclides in multi nucleon transfer reactions DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T103500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T105000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3696@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Devaraja H M (FLNR\, JINR)\nExotic nuclei are typica lly produced via projectile fragmentation or projectile fission at relativ istic energies\, or through complete fusion reactions at near-Coulomb barr ier energies. These production methods\, along with the available beam int ensities\, define the current boundaries of the chart of nuclides. However \, theoretical predictions suggest that several thousand additional isotop es may exist on the neutron-rich side\, including many along the astrophys ical r-process path. Multi-nucleon transfer (MNT) reactions offer a promis ing pathway to access this largely unexplored territory.\n\nIn our recent studies published in ref [1]\, we investigated MNT reactions involving the systems 48Ca+208Pb\, 50Ti+208Pb\, and 40Ar+209Bi\, focusing on the popula tion of nuclei with proton numbers greater than that of the target. The ta rget-like reaction products were separated in flight using the velocity fi lter SHELS of the Flerov Laboratory for Nuclear Reactions (FLNR)\, Dubna. Our goal was to examine transfer reactions for producing new heavy and sup erheavy nuclei and to assess the applicability of velocity filters for the ir investigation. We observed and studied about 40 different nuclides\, re sulting from the transfer of up to eight protons from the projectile to th e target and moving in forward direction relative to the beam axis. We pre sent cross-section systematics for isotopes of elements Z = (83 – 91) me asured in our experiment and compare them with available data from transfe r reactions with actinide targets which lead to isotopes up to Z = 103. \n \nOur results will be discussed in the context of previous measurements\, and we will present future prospects for employing MNT reactions to produc e new heavy and superheavy isotopes [1–6]. In addition\, the design of a new kinematic separator\, the Separator for Transactinide Research (STAR) \, to be developed at FLNR\, JINR (Dubna)\, will be introduced [6–7]. Th is project will be carried out alongside the modernization of the U400 cyc lotron (U400R). \n\nReferences: \n1. H.M. Devaraja\, A.V. Yeremin\, M.L. C helnokov\, V.I. Chepigin\, S. Heinz\, et al.\, Phys. Lett. B 862\, \n(2025 ) 139353 \n2. H.M. Devaraja\, S. Heinz\, O. Beliuskina\, V. Comas\, S. Hof mann\, et al.\, Phys. Lett. B 748\, (2015) \n199–203. \n3. H.M. Devaraja \, S. Heinz\, O. Beliuskina\, S. Hofmann\, C. Hornung\, et al.\, Eur. Phys . J. A 55\, (2019) \n25. \n4. H.M. Devaraja\, S. Heinz\, D. Ackermann\, T. Göbel\, F.P. Heßberger\, et al.\, Eur. Phys. J. A 56\, (2020) \n224. \n 5. S. Heinz\, H.M. Devaraja\, Eur. Phys. J. A 58\, (2022) 114. \n6. H.M. D evaraja\, A.V. Yeremin\, S. Heinz and A.G. Popeko\, Phys. Part. Nucl. Let t. 19\, (2022) 693\n716 (2022) \n7. A. Yeremin\, “Prospects of investig ation of multinucleon transfer reactions\,” in Proceedings of the \nProg ramme Advisory Committee for Nuclear Physics 51st Meeting\, January 30–3 1\, 2020\, Dubna\, \nRussia.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contr ibutions/3696/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3696/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Reaction dynamics in the 58Ni+58Ni system at intermediate energie s DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T102000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T103500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3727@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lucia Baldesi (Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia U niversità di Firenze \, INFN Sezione di Firenze)\nThe $^{58}$Ni+$^{58}$Ni reaction was measured using the INDRA-FAZIA apparatus at three different energies: 32\, 52\, and 74 AMeV. In peripheral and semi-peripheral collisi ons\, two main distinct reaction channels\, one associated with the QP rem nant and the other with the QP breakup channel\, were identified. The anal ysis was conducted as a function of incident energy and collision centrali ty. In the breakup channel\, the statistical or dynamical origin of the fi ssion fragments and their isospin content were investigated. In both chann els\, the characteristics of light charged particles and intermediate mass fragments were analysed. In particular\, after carefully disentangling th e midvelocity component from the evaporative emissions\, their properties were compared. Finally\, the results were compared with the predictions of the AMD+GEMINI++ simulation.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/cont ributions/3727/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3727/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Theoretical description of direct nuclear reactions in the FRIB er a DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T100500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T102000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3760@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Linda Hlophe (Michigan State University and Los Alam os National Laboratory)\nNuclear reactions play a critical role in probing the properties of atomic nuclei\, production of elements in astrophysical environments\, as well as national security applications. For example\, a class of reactions known as ‘transfer reactions’ are useful in determ ining spins\, parities\, and spectroscopic factors for specific nuclear st ates. In particular\, deuteron-induced transfer reactions on rare isotopes have been used to probe single-particle levels of nuclei as well as to in directly infer neutron-capture rates needed to simulate the synthesis of h eavy elements in cataclysmic astrophysical events. Since the observables m easured in reaction experiments are cross sections\, extracting structure properties as well as the relevant neutron-capture rates requires reliable descriptions of the reaction dynamics. In light of reaction measurements taking place in rare isotope facilities around the world and in anticipati on of the large influx of data from FRIB\, theories that are suitable for the description of reactions involving exotic nuclei are needed. Using the example of deuteron-induced reactions\, I will discuss the importance of a dependable reaction theory for translating experimental measurements int o the desired nuclear information. I will also discuss advances in the thr ee-body (neutron + proton + nucleus) description of such reactions as well as ab initio approaches that seek a solution of the many-body scattering problem\, starting from nucleon-nucleon potentials derived from chiral eff ective field theory. Finally\, I will give my perspective on efforts to co nstruct predictive reaction theories that can be reliably applied to exoti c isotopes by focusing on integrating few-body reaction dynamics with ab i nitio methods.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3760/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3760/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:First test of MNT reactions with secondary beams at the FRS Ion Ca tcher DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T094000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T100500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3669@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ali Mollaebrahimi (GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Io n Research)\nStudying exotic nuclei exhibiting an extreme ratio of neutron s to protons is one of the primary means for better understanding of funda mental nuclear properties\, which is crucial to comprehend the formation a nd existence of heavy elements in our universe. Nevertheless\, it is well understood that nuclei from certain regions on the chart of nuclei\, e.g.\ , neutron-rich actinides\, will not be efficiently produced in commonly us ed fission and fragmentation production methods. The multinucleon transfer (MNT) reaction mechanism is considered the most promising pathway to reac h this region. The MNT mechanism may also be more efficient for producing other heavy neutron-rich nuclei\, e.g.\, *N=126* nuclei relevant for the o rigin of the 3$^{rd}$ abundance peak in the r-process.\nThe Super-FRS expe riment collaboration started performing MNT experiments using both stable and secondary beams at FRS with the FRS Ion Catcher at GSI Helmholtz Centr e for Heavy Ion Research in Germany in the summer of 2024 [1]. The program is also developing toward the preparation for future experiments in Super -FRS at the under-construction FAIR facility. This contribution will prese nt the plans and preliminary results of the MNT experiments performed with $^{238}$U stable beams and the first test with $^{236}$U secondary beams. \n[1] A. Mollaebrahimi et al.\, *Nuclear Physics A* **1057**\, 2025\n\nhtt ps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3669/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3669/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:ISGMR studies at iThemba LABS DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T091500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T094000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3770@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Retief Neveling (iThemba LABS)\nThe Isoscalar Giant Monopole Resonance (ISGMR) is a collective excitation mode of the atomic n ucleus\, first discovered in 1977. Our current understanding of the ISGM R in stable nuclei relies heavily on experimental investigations conducted at the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Cyclotron Institute and the Research C enter for Nuclear Physics (RCNP) over the past thirty years. These investi gations involved small-angle (including 0°) inelastic α-particle scatter ing measurements at energies of 240 MeV and 386 MeV\, respectively. Howev er\, these forward-angle measurements are all affected by unavoidable inst rumental background. Inappropriate description of this background can sign ificantly influence the shape of the E0 strength distribution\, which is u sed to determine the ISGMR centroid energy\, and thus the incompressibilit y of the nucleus. Also\, the shape of the monopole strength was used in t he interpretation of K-splitting effects in lighter nuclei such as 24Mg. T herefore\, inelastic α-particle scattering experiments were performed at 200 MeV at iThemba LABS to provide an independent dataset for examining th e impact of different background subtraction techniques\, especially in th e case of 24Mg\, the even-even isotopes of Ca\, as well as for 208Pb. \n Since the measurements resulted in high-resolution data which revealed fin e structure within the ISGMR strength distributions\, the extraction of sp in- and parity-resolved level densities of 0⁺ states was made possible v ia fluctuation analysis. Wavelet analyses of the strength distributions pr ovide access to characteristic energy scales\, allowing for detailed compa risons with various theoretical models aimed at understanding the mechanis ms responsible for the ISGMR decay width. \nSelected results\, along with future prospects\, will be discussed.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event /138/contributions/3770/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3770/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Mechanical stresses in solids irradiated with swift heavy ions: in -situ and postradiation examination DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T083000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T084500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3754@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Vladimir Skuratov (Joint Institute for Nuclear Resea rch)\nRadiation defects produced by swift heavy ions are concentrated with in small volume\, surrounding ion trajectory. This inevitably results in g eneration of local mechanical stress\, which in own turn may affect final defect structure. The knowledge about of such a high energy heavy ion trac k-assisted stress is of considerable practical value in view of simulation of fission product impact in radiation resistant oxides and ceramics\, as candidate materials for nuclear waste management and prediction of their long-term radiation stability. In this report we give a review of experime nts aimed at evaluation of mechanical stresses in radiation resistant cera mics (Al2O3\, Si3N4\, AlN) during and after irradiation with high energy K r\, Xe and Bi ions. To characterize stress a piezospectroscopic method\, u tilizing the relationship between the stress and changes in the ionolumine scence\, photoluminescence and Raman spectra has been used.\n\nhttps://ind ico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3754/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3754/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Environmental Radiation Assessment of Uranium Exploration Activiti es in Botswana: A Multi-Detector Approach to Baseline Monitoring and Risk Evaluation DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T081500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T083000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3773@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sankwasa Chika (Botswana International University of Science and Technology)\nAs global uranium demand increases to support cl ean energy transitions [1]\, understanding the environmental impacts of ex ploration activities becomes essential for sustainable resource developmen t. While extensive research exists on operational mining impacts [2]\, the radiological consequences of preliminary exploration activities particula rly test pit excavation and rehabilitation remain poorly characterized\, e specially in sub-Saharan Africa where uranium exploration is expanding rap idly [3]. This presentation will describe a comprehensive radiometric asse ssment of uranium exploration test pits in Botswana using a dual-detector validation approach. The study employed complementary detection systems: a Mobile Radiation Detection Unit (MRDU) for broad area surveys and an InSp ector 1000 for point measurements. This allowed for characterization of ra diation environments across the 144 km² Letlhakane Uranium Project lease area. Results from investigation of four test pits (one open\, three rehab ilitated) and 52 measurement locations will be presented revealing spatial variability in radiation levels. Significant radiation enhancements were observed with rehabilitated areas averaging 377.8(19) nGy/h (6.4 times glo bal background levels) while the open pit reached 800 nGy/h (13.6× enhanc ement). Remarkably\, undisturbed areas showed moderate elevation (76.2(4) nGy/h).\n\nThe presentation will demonstrate how realistic exposure scenar ios (20% outdoor occupancy\, 2000 h/y occupational exposure) yielded Annua l Effective Dose Equivalent calculations of 0.107(5) mSv/y for undisturbed areas and 0.529(26) mSv/y for rehabilitated sites\, following UNSCEAR rec ommendations [4]. Approximately 95% of measurements remained within intern ational safety limits (1 mSv/y) [5]\, though some localized "hotspots" rea ched 1.64 mSv/y\, warranting further remediation considerations. Cross-val idation results between detection systems will be presented\, showing exce llent agreement in uniform areas (8% difference) but small differences in heterogeneous environments (1.7× factor). The findings demonstrate that e xploration activities may create persistent radiation modifications that r ehabilitation efforts only partially address. The distribution patterns we re characteristic of environmental contamination which suggested incomplet e restoration of pre-disturbance conditions. Generally acceptable exposure levels under realistic scenarios indicate that well-managed exploration c an proceed safely with appropriate monitoring that is consistent with IAEA guidelines [6]. This study establishes the first quantitative baseline fo r the uranium exploration site and will present a validated\, replicable f ramework for environmental radiation assessment in uranium-bearing regions worldwide. \n\n1] OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and IAEA (2023). Uranium 202 2: Resources\, Production and Demand. OECD Publishing\, Paris. https://doi .org/10.1787/499d4341-en\n[2] United Nations Scientific Committee on the E ffects of Atomic Radiation (2008). Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiati on\, UNSCEAR 2008 Report to the General Assembly\, with Scientific Annexes . United Nations\, New York\n[3] World Nuclear Association (2023). World N uclear Association Country Profiles: Africa. Available at: https://world-n uclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/others/africa.aspx\n[4] Un ited Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (2008 ). Annex B: Exposures of the public and workers from various sources of ra diation. In: Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation\, UNSCEAR 2008 Repo rt\, Volume I. United Nations\, New York\, pp. 233-320\n[5] International Commission on Radiological Protection (2007). The 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. ICRP Publication 103. Annals of the ICRP 37(2-4)\, 1-332\n[6] International Atomic Energy A gency (2020). Occupational Radiation Protection in the Uranium Mining and Processing Industry. IAEA Safety Reports Series No. 100. IAEA\n\nhttps://i ndico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3773/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3773/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:BEGAM\, a new setup for the identification of beta emitters in rad iopharmaceuticals DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T081500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3709@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Marco Perri (INFN - Firenze)\nIn nuclear medicine\, radiopharmaceuticals are subject to strict quality and purity controls to ensure both patient safety and the effectiveness of diagnostic or therape utic procedures. A major concern is the presence of radioactive contaminan ts\, unwanted isotopes that can deliver additional radiation doses. Gamma spectroscopy\, typically performed with high-purity germanium (HPGe) detec tors\, is one of the most common techniques to identify these contaminants due to its excellent energy resolution (2–3% at 1 MeV). However\, HPGe detectors are expensive\, require cooling\, and often need to detect conta minants with activity levels up to three orders of magnitude lower than th e primary isotope. This requires long acquisition times to achieve accepta ble statistics. Additionally\, overlapping gamma peaks from different isot opes can further complicate the identification of contaminants. A promisin g alternative is beta-gamma coincidence spectroscopy\, which allows to sel ect the decaying of a particular isotope by detecting beta and gamma emiss ions from the same event in a short time window (of the order of ns). The BeGAM project aims to develop a portable and precise detector to identify beta emitters in radiopharmaceuticals through beta/gamma coincidence and a nticoincidence measurements. The detector consists of GaGG scintillators for gamma spectroscopy and a central plastic scintillator for beta detecti on. The current prototype includes four GaGG scintillators arranged around a hollow plastic scintillator\, allowing placement of the radioactive sam ple at the center to maximize the solid angle. Initial tests were performe d using a $^{207}$Bi source to evaluate the detector’s ability to perfor m coincidence measurements between conversion electrons and gamma rays emi tted by the source. These measurements served to characterize the system's timing and energy resolution. We are currently starting the commissioning of the prototype with measurements on $^{99}$Mo/$^{99m}$Tc solutions prod uced by our collaborator at the Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC). Solutions with different concentrations of $^{99}$Mo will be prepa red to characterize sensitivity and accuracy of the detector in determinin g low levels of $^{99}$Mo activity.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/13 8/contributions/3709/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3709/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Exposure to 1 Gy protons\, 1 Gy neutrons or their combination at a dose of 0.5 Gy for each particle does not affect emotional state\, but af fected body weight of rats DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T074500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251128T080000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3752@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kseniia Belokopytova (Joint Institute for Nuclear Re search)\nIonizing radiation (IR) is one of the major limiting factors of h uman deep-space missions. Studies have shown that biological effects are n on-linearly dependent on the dose and composition of ionizing radiation. B oth negative effects (impairment locomotor and cognitive abilities\, anxio genic effect) and positive one (enhanced cognitive abilities\, exploratory and novelty-seeking behavior) were found in rodent experiments. Attention is paid to the study is devoted to the analysis of the mechanisms of radi ation-induced effects on the CNS and their relationship with physiological characteristics after exposure to ionizing radiation. Here\, we study the effects of protons\, neutrons and their combination irradiation on body w eight and emotional state of Sprague Dawley rats. At the age of 2 months\, animals were irradiated in the following scenarios: 1 Gy of neutrons or p rotons separately or 0.5 and 0.5 Gy of neutrons and protons sequentially t o get a combined effect. The animal’s behavior was studied using the ope n field test and elevated plus maze\, which enables assessment of emotiona l state\, 30- and 90-days post-irradiation. Also\, body weight was assesse d. Since the data obtained followed a Gaussian distribution\, the analysis was performed using the one-way ANOVA method followed by the Games-Howell post-hoc test. There are no effects of radiation exposure in all scenario s used on the emotional state of the rats were found\, both 30 and 90 days after exposure. At the same time\, radiation affected the weight of rats at Day 30 (F3.24=3.1\, p=0.048) and Day 90 (F3.24= 4.3\, p=0.01) after irr adiation. Thus\, protons irradiation resulted in an increase in rats’ bo dy mass by 4% (p=0.03) compared naïve animals at the Day 30 after irradia tion. On the contrary\, at Day 90 day after irradiation\, an increase in b ody weight was found in rats exposed to protons and a combination of proto ns and neutrons\, respectively\, by 7.8% (p=0.02) and 6.5% (p=0.03) compar ed to the naïve rats. We consider it important to note the observed tende ncy towards an increase in grooming acts (F3.24=3.2\, p=0.04) in animals e xposed to proton irradiation at Day 90 post-irradiation – by 37.5% (p=0. 076) compared to naive rats. Earlier studies have shown a decrease in body weight in rats after 7 months (combined 0.4 Gy γ-rays and 12C 0.14 Gy\, 10.3 keV/m) and body weight gain in mice 21 months post-irradiation (25 2Cf source\, 1 mGy/day\; 0.2 Gy totally). At the same time\, a number of s tudies revealed no effect of irradiation on the body weight of mice under different irradiation scenarios: 28Si (0.2 or 1 Gy\, 67 keV/m)\, 56Fe ( 0.1 or 0.5 Gy\, 151 keV/m)\, and mixed HZE (H+\, 4He\, 12C\, 16O\, 28Si \, 48Ti\, 56Fe with different energy\, 0.75 Gy totally). Thus\, in spite o f the effects detected\, IR has no critical effect on the physical develop ment of rodents. We suggest that IR (within the range of composition and d oses used) can be relatively safe for the functions of the CNS.\n\nhttps:/ /indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3752/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3752/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Breakup Dynamics of a Neutron-Halo System at Sub-Barrier Incident Energies DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T143000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T144500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3785@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tapuwa Sithole (UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA))\ nThis study uses the Continuum Discretized Coupled Channels (CDCC) formali sm to investigate the breakup of the neutron-halo nucleus 11Be on a Pb tar get at and below the Coulomb barrier.\n\nThe research finds that at sub-ba rrier incident energies\; the breakup cross section is more significant th an the total fusion cross section. This is attributed to a strong enhancem ent of the breakup cross section by continuum-continuum couplings\, which specifically boosts the Coulomb breakup component while suppressing the nu clear breakup component. This enhancement is theorized to be due to projec tile breakup on its outgoing trajectory.\n\nThis observation\, also seen w ith the proton-halo nucleus 8B\, suggests that breakup can be the dominant reaction channel for weakly-bound systems at deep sub-barrier energies.\n \nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3785/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3785/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Systematic study of Coulomb barrier heights with the double-foldin g nucleus-nucleus interaction DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T141500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T143000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3714@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Muhluri Gerald Maluleke ()\, Bahati Mukeru (`Supervi sor)\, Joshua Majekodunmi (Co-author)\nA systematic system of Coulomb barr iers is investigated where nucleus-nucleus interactions are calculated wit hin double-folding formalisms consisting of various nucleon interactions. It is shown that for nuclear reactions involving two light nucleons or a l ight and a heavy nucleus\, even with purely simple attractive nucleons\, t heir calculated Coulomb barriers fit experimental ones(within error margin s)\,similar to ones for effective nucleon-nucleon interactions where doubl e-folding potentials are involved.However\, as the masses of both interact ing nuclei increase\, the simple nucleon-nucleon interaction widely deviat es from the experimental values. It follows that the density of the intera cting particles has a significant effect on the interacting nucleons of bo th particles. This effect is not clearly revealed with hard-core nucleon-n ucleon effective interactions being considered in the construction of doub le-folding potentials.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributio ns/3714/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3714/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:First principles theory for nuclear structure\, astrophysics\, and new-physics searches DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T140000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T141500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3729@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jason Holt (TRIUMF)\nAnswers to some of the most fun damental questions in science\, such as the mass and character of the neut rino\, the nature of dark matter\, or the abundance of matter over antimat ter\, might very well reside in the physics of the atomic nucleus. As the role of nuclei in unraveling such mysteries continues to deepen\, first-pr inciples quantum simulations\, beginning from only underlying nuclear/weak forces\, are currently undergoing nothing short of a revolution. Long con sidered a collection of disconnected phenomenological models\, breakthroug hs in our treatment of nuclear forces rooted in QCD\, the strongly interac ting many-body problem\, and AI/machine learning techniques are transformi ng modern nuclear theory into a true first-principles discipline. \nIn thi s talk I will outline this next-generation "ab initio" philosophy and spot light several recent milestones for nuclear structure/astrophysics\, inclu ding statistical predictions of the limits of nuclei\, the neutron skin of 208Pb to constrain neutron star properties\, and new results informing r- process nucleosynthesis simulations in the N=126 region. I will then focus on our parallel advances driving first ab initio predictions of neutrinol ess double-beta decay\, WIMP- and neutrino-nucleus scattering\, and symmet ry-violating moments\, with quantifiable uncertainties\, for essentially a ll nuclei relevant in searches for new physics.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac .za/event/138/contributions/3729/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3729/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence for Nuclear Structure DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T133500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T140000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3772@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Akaa Daniel Ayangeakaa (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)\nPhoton beams provide a uniquely selective probe of the s patial distributions of charge and current within nuclei. Their well-defin ed spin selectivity and high sensitivity to transition strengths enable sp ectroscopic studies of dipole excitations with minimal dependence on nucle ar models. This approach is particularly powerful for mapping the distribu tion of electric and magnetic dipole strength from a few MeV up to the par ticle emission threshold\, offering insight into the collective response o f the internal degrees of freedom of the nucleus. In this talk\, I will pr esent recent advances in experimental techniques and nuclear structure res ults obtained from photonuclear reactions using the nearly monoenergetic\, highly polarized photon beams provided by the High Intensity γ-ray Sourc e (HIγS) facility at TUNL. Emphasis will be placed on precision measureme nts of dipole strength distributions\, the identification of fine structur e in the excitation spectrum\, and the extraction of observables relevant to fundamental symmetries and astrophysical reaction rates. Where appropri ate\, the results will be compared with complementary data from hadron-ind uced reactions\, to highlight the distinct selectivity and interpretive ad vantages of the photonuclear approach. These comparisons provide a more co mprehensive understanding of nuclear excitations and help to constrain the oretical models describing nuclear structure and dynamics.\n\nhttps://indi co.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3772/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3772/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Results on the CROSSTEST@LNL experiment for NArCoS: the Cross-talk problem DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T125000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T130500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3713@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Emanuele Vincenzo Pagano (INFN - LNS)\nThe advent of new facilities for radioactive ion beams mainly rich in neutrons\, like S PES @ LNL\, FRAISE @ LNS and FAIR @ GSI only to give some examples\, impos es the joint detection and discrimination of neutrons and charged particle s in Heavy radioactive Ion collisions\, with high angular and energy resol ution. The construction of novel detection systems suitable for this exper imental task is both a scientific and a technological challenge.\nThe cont ribution will illustrate the results of recent tests performed on a recent ly introduced plastic scintillator material\, the EJ276\, both in the "gre en-shifted" and in the base version\, coupled with SiPMs. The contribution will also present results on the CROSSTEST experiment performed at LNL-IN FN in November 2023. The goal of the experiment was the study of the cross talk among the elementary cells of NArCoS (Neutron Array for Correlation S tudies) at low neutron energy of 4.5 MeV\, a novel detector for neutrons a nd charged particles with high energy and angular resolution\, based on a 3D cluster of the EJ276 scintillation units. This project is also funded b y the Italian PRIN ANCHISE Project (2020H8YFRE) and the CHIRONE experimen t of the INFN.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3713/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3713/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Characterization of High-Energy Neutron Beamlines Using Silicon an d Diamond Detectors DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T122500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T125000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3670@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Carlo Cazzaniga (Science and Technology Facilities C ouncil)\nSilicon and diamond detectors have been extensively investigated as neutron spectrometers for characterizing high-energy neutron fields. Ou r work particularly focuses on the characterization of atmospheric-like ne utron spectra generated by spallation sources\, which are essential for si ngle event effect (SEE) testing of microelectronics at neutron energies up to 800 MeV. Diamond detectors are also notably effective for measuring 14 MeV monoenergetic neutron beams due to the advantageous neutron-alpha rea ction on carbon.\nIn this presentation\, we demonstrate the use of pulsed neutron sources for conducting time-of-flight (ToF) measurements\, enablin g the detailed analysis of detector responses across varying neutron energ ies. The measurements that are presented are from an experimental campaign at the nTOF beamline of CERN. We will further discuss the application of these detectors in characterizing fast neutron beams and introduce our pla nned collaboration with iThemba LABS. This collaboration aims to evaluate unique quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams with energies up to 200 MeV\, tha t are available at iThemba LABS\, thus facilitating advanced testing capab ilities in South Africa for electronics under high-energy neutron irradiat ion.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3670/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3670/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Recent results from the n_TOF facility at CERN DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T120000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T122500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3675@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jorge Lerendegui Marco (Instituto de Física Corpusc ular (CSIC-UV))\nNuclear data in general\, and neutron-induced reaction cr oss sections in particular\, are important for a wide variety of research fields. The neutron time-of-flight facility (n_TOF) at CERN has been one of the leading international facilities for high-precision neutron-induced reaction studies for over two decades. Conceived in the late 1990s by Car lo Rubbia [1]\, n_TOF was designed to provide accurate neutron-induced cro ss section data for nuclear astrophysics [2]\, nuclear technology [3]\, an d fundamental physics. \n\nn_TOF is distinguished by its unique combinatio n of a high instantaneous neutron flux\, a broad neutron energy spectrum e xtending from thermal energies to several GeV\, and exceptional energy res olution. The facility comprises two experimental time-of-flight beamlines: EAR1 (185 m flight path) optimized for high-resolution measurements and i n operation since 2001 [4]\; EAR2 (20 m flight path)\, which became in 201 4 a world-leading facility in terms of instantaneous neutron flux [5]\, ma king it well suited for time-of-flight experiments on small mass or highl y radioactive samples.\nIn recent years\, significant upgrades have been i mplemented to further enhance n_TOF's capabilities. In 2021\, a new\, nitr ogen-cooled spallation target was installed [6] to improve neutron beam ch aracteristics\, particularly for EAR2\, while preserving the excellent res olution for EAR1 [7]. Moreover\, the recently established NEAR station\, l ocated at only 3 m from the neutron source\, provides a high-flux experime ntal area for activation measurements\, mainly intended for astrophysical studies [8]. These developments have expanded the experimental potential o f the facility\, particularly for studies involving radioactive samples.\n This contribution will present a comprehensive overview of n_TOF\, focusin g on its unique features\, recent scientific highlights (e.g. [9]) and lat est detector developments (e.g. [10]). Looking ahead\, the n_TOF Collabora tion is pursuing an ambitious research programme including\, among other a ims\, the expansion of the (n\,cp) measurements using innovative detector concepts\, neutron capture measurements on shorter-lived unstable nuclei o f astrophysical relevance\, the first inelastic scattering studies using h igh resolution detectors or the recently launched programme to measure tot al cross sections by means of transmission. These future projects that are being driven by an outstanding effort in detector R&D\, will allow n_TOF to stay among the world-leading facilities for neutron-induced cross secti on measurements.\n\n**References:**\n 1. C. Rubbia\, et al.\, A high resol ution spallation driven facility at the CERN-PS to measure neutron cross s ections in the interval from 1 eV to 250 MeV: a relative performance asses sment. 1998. Addendum to CERN-LHC-98-002-EET.\n 2. C. Massimi\, et al.\, E PJ Web of Conferences 275\, 01009 (2023)\n 3. N. Colonna\, et al.\, Eur. P hys. J. A 56\, 48 (2020).\n 4. C. Guerrero\, et al.\, Eur. Phys. J. A 49\, 27 (2013).\n 5. J. Lerendegui-Marco\, et al.\, Eur. Phys. J. A 52\, 100 ( 2016).\n 6. R. Esposito\, et al.. Phys Rev Accel Beams. 24:093001 (2021).\ n 7. J.A. Pavón-Rodríguez\, et al.\, Eur. Phys. J. A (submitted\, arXiv :2505.00042) (2025) \n 8. N. Patronis\, et al. Eur. Phys. J. A (submitted \, arXiv.2209.04443) (2025)\n 9. C. Domingo-Pardo\, et al.\, Eur. Phys. J. A 61\, 105 (2025)\n 10. J. Lerendegui-Marco\, et al.\, EPJ Web of Confere nces 279\, 13001 (2023)\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contribut ions/3675/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3675/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Bragg peak modeling and matter-wave interferometry in gaseous trac k detectors DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T104500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T110000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3753@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jean-Marc Sparenberg (Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB))\nA two-parameter analytical formula\, based on the quantum electro n-ion transport cross section\, is used to describe the stopping power of ionizing particles penetrating gases\, as for instance in gaseous detector s in low-energy nuclear physics. The electrons of the target are described as a free electron gas (FEG)\, while the electron-ion interaction is desc ribed by a phenomenological velocity-dependent Yukawa potential\, allowing to calculate the stopping power both below and above the Bragg peak.\n\nG iven the simplicity of the model\, surprisingly good results are obtained when comparing with experimental stopping powers\, suggesting that the ana lytical formula could be useful for the design of (active-target) time-pro jection chambers. Moreover\, relating this stopping power with transverse decoherence [GS23] could help designing new matter-wate interferometry exp eriments in such detectors.\n\nFinally\, the model could be used in ab ini tio gaseous detector simulations\, allowing to test fundamental questions in the quantum measurement problem\, in particular the hypothesis that the microscopic state of the apparatus fully determines the measurement resul t [SNM13].\n\n[GS23] D. Gaspard and J.-M. Sparenberg\, [Phys. Rev. A 107 ( 2023) 022214][1]\n[SNM13] J.-M. Sparenberg\, R. Nour and A. Manço\, [EPJ web of conferences 58 (2013) 01016][2]\n\n\n [1]: https://doi.org/10.1103 /PhysRevA.107.022214\n [2]: https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20135801016\n \nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3753/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3753/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:R-matrix type parametrization of the Jost function for analysing e xperimental total cross-sections to obtain partial-wave cross sections and resonance parameters. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T103000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T104500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3763@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Paul Vaandrager (University of South Africa (UNISA)) \nA new method is proposed for fitting nonrelativistic two-body scattering data and for extracting the bound state energies or resonance parameters in the compound system that is formed during the collision. The method com bines the well-known *R*-matrix approach with the analysis based on the se mi-analytic representation of the Jost function. It is shown that such a c ombination has the advantages of both these approaches. As with the *R*-ma trix approach\, the number of the fitting parameters remains relatively sm all\, since prior knowledge of the resonance parameters is incorporated in the fitting. As with the Jost function approach\, the proper analytic str ucture of the *S*-matrix is preserved. It is also shown that the new forma lism\, although closely related to the *R*-matrix method\, has the benefit of no dependence on an arbitrary channel radius. The efficiency and accur acy of the proposed method are tested using a model single-channel potenti al. Artificial “experimental” total cross-section datapoints generated with this potential are fitted\, and the partial wave cross-sections are obtained. The resonance parameters are also successfully recovered as zero s of the Jost function on the appropriate sheet of the Riemann surface of the energy.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3763/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3763/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Re-evaluation of Structures in 70Se with SPICE and TIGRESS DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T101500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T103000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3775@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: James Smallcombe (JAEA)\nIn the Z=34 region of the a tomic chart a pattern of shape coexistence has been observed\, with oblate and prolate bands apparently coexisting and switching order as neutron nu mber changes. With recent spectroscopic developments the question of where such an inversion occurs has been drawn into question.\n\nA detailed inte rnal conversion electron and gamma ray spectroscopic study of 70Se was und ertaken at TRIUMF ISAC-II facility using the SPICE and TIGRESS spectromete rs. An analysis of electron data found no evidence for the predicted low l ying 0+ state\, furthermore significant discrepancies were found between t he experimentally deduced level schemes and those previously published. Th e new data were analysed with comparison to various theoretical interpreta tions. A new picture of the region has emerged which appears to invalidate previous theoretical descriptions of the nucleus.\n\nDetails of the exper iment\, analysis technique and results will be presented\, alongside theor etical interpretations.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributi ons/3775/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3775/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Nuclear structure studies close to doubly magic 100Sn nucleus DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T100000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T101500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3718@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Dinesh Negi (Manipal Institute of Technology )\nNucl ei close to 100Sn are fertile testing ground of modern theories of shell m odel. However\, being very neutron deficient\, these nuclei are still expe rimentally very difficult to access for their investigations (e.g. only in formation known on 100Sn is the half-life of its ground state). Therefore\ , understanding about these nuclear systems is from the study of their nei ghbors\, which are relatively more than few nucleons away. With this as ba ckground\, recently new experimental information in this mass region has b een obtained by different research groups. In this talk\, I would like to discuss these findings along with some new results obtained by our group.\ n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3718/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3718/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Probing 174Yb and 178Hf Structure With (p\,t) Reactions DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T094500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T100000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3745@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: John Santucci (Texas A&M University)\nTwo-neutron tr ansfer reactions work exceptionally well as low-spin probes into nuclei. W ith a distinct 0+ cross-section shape\, peaking at the most forward angles \, and their ability to populate a range of nuclear levels without injecti ng large amounts of spin into the system\, they can be used to study the c ompeting modes of excitation and shapes of nuclei at low excitation energi es. The nature of the low-lying 0+ states in nuclei are often unclear with a variety of theoretical treatments leading to different interpretations of the underlying nuclear structures. Given the nature of two-neutron tran sfer reactions\, pairing correlations are expected to drive the majority o f the cross section into the ground state. Juxtaposed with the still signi ficant cross sections observed in a variety of excited states can give fur ther insight into the structure of nuclei. To study 0+ states in 174Yb and 178Hf\, the two-neutron transfer reactions 176Yb(p\,t) and 180Hf(p\,t) we re studied at the Q3D spectrometer at the Maier-Leibnitz Laboratory at the Technical University of Munich. Preliminary results on the resulting spec tra will be presented. The motivation is to confirm previously observed 0+ states in 174Yb and 178Hf\, identify possible new 0+ states\, their cros s-sections\, and aid in the theoretical interpretation of the rich nuclear structure in this region. FRESCO calculations were used to aid in underst anding behavior of states close to the ground state.\n\nhttps://indico.tla bs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3745/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3745/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Testing the shell model at N=28 with nucleon-transfer reactions DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T092000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T094500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3683@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: AJ Mitchell (Australian National University)\nThe nu clides near N=28 are an important testing ground for modern nuclear-struct ure theory. In addition to the well-known proton and neutron shell closure s at calcium-48\, doubly magic calcium isotopes have also been proposed at N=32 [1] and N=34 [2]. Fragmentation of single-particle strength also giv es insight into basic assumptions of the shell model\, such as the nature of the mean field and nucleon correlations [3\,4]. Near calcium-48\, fragm entation of the fpg orbital strengths is poorly understood and warrants de eper investigation. Furthermore\, calcium-48 is a key candidate in neutrin oless double-beta decay searches [5]. Discovery of this rare decay more wo uld have profound implications for the Standard Model\, but interpretation of the data will rely heavily on nuclear-structure input. \n\nNucleon-tra nsfer reactions are an ideal spectroscopic tool to probe the single-partic le components of nuclear wavefunctions. After a period of decline\, access to research infrastructure required to perform measurements of this kind is undergoing a renaissance. Magnetic spectrometers with high-resolution f ocal-plane detectors are ideal for studying cases with light-ion beams and stable targets\, while solenoidal spectrometers are the preferred option for experiments with rare-ion beams performed in inverse kinematics. \n\nA fter decades of dedicated use for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry\, the Enge Magnetic Spectrometer at the Australian Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility ha s been restored as a nuclear-spectroscopy device. This presentation will d escribe the first nuclear-structure experiments performed with the rejuven ated spectrograph\, focusing on single-neutron-adding (d\,p) studies on N= 28 isotones. A complementary study of the single-neutron orbitals at calci um-48\, performed in inverse kinematics\, will also be discussed. \n\nThis work has been supported by the Australian National University Major Equip ment Committee (2019)\, Australian Research Council Grant No. DP210101201 and the International Technology Center Pacific (ITC-PAC) under Contract N o. FA520919PA138.\n\n[1] F. Wienholtz et al.\, Nature 498 346 (2013).\n[2] D. Steppenbeck et al.\, Nature 502 7470 (2013). \n[3] T. Otsuka et al.\, Rev. Mod. Phys. 92 015002 (2020). \n[4] A. E. Stuchbery and J. L. Wood\, P hysics 4 697 (2022). \n[5] A. Giuliani and A. Poves\, Adv. High Energy Phy s. 2012\, 857016 (2012).\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contribut ions/3683/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3683/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Probing Stellar Reactions and Fundamental Symmetries with Indirect Methods at Low Energies DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T073000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251127T080500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3689@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Aurora Tumino ()\nIndirect nuclear astrophysics meth ods are essential for determining stellar reaction rates\, especially when direct measurements are challenging. This contribution will highlight rec ent advances using the Trojan Horse Method (THM) [1\,2] to investigate key reactions in stars\, such as carbon burning (12C+12C and 12C+16O fusion). Our studies focus on the dominant alpha and proton evaporation\nchannels\ , revealing resonant structures in the cross-sections that significantly b oost reaction rates at stellar temperatures. Furthermore\, this presentati on will discuss a unique application of indirect techniques to probe the c harge symmetry breaking of nuclear forces. We achieve this through the mea surement of the Coulomb-free proton-proton scattering length via the quasi free p(d\,pp)n reaction. These diverse applications\, achievable with low- energy accelerators\, underscore the power of indirect approaches in unrav eling fundamental nuclear properties and their impact on stellar evolution \, including the influence of nuclear clustering on reaction pathways.\n\n [1] A. Tumino\, C.A. Bertulani\, M. La Cognata\, L. Lamia\, R.G. Pizzone\, S. Romano and S. Typel\, Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science 71 \, (2021) 033642\n[2] A. Tumino et al.\, Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics 143 (2025) 104164\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contribu tions/3689/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3689/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Nuclear Astrophysics program at n_TOF: past\, present and futu re DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251126T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251126T081500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3742@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Paolo Maria Milazzo (CERN e INFN Trieste (IT))\nNeut ron data are of fundamental importance in nuclear astrophysics for underst anding the origin of chemical elements heavier than Fe\, where and how the se nuclei have been synthesized.\nThe CERN n_TOF facility offers a neutron flux that spans a wide energy spectrum\, from thermal to GeV energies\, e nabling measurements covering at the same time the whole spectra of nuclea r astrophysics interest.\nThe n_TOF performances related to the high energ y resolution and to the high instantaneous neutron flux are decisive to ex tract accurate neutron-induced reaction cross-sections. These nuclear data inputs are fundamental to properly assessing the validity of the differen t stellar and nucleosynthesis models.\nA wide number of isotopes have been investigated at n_TOF covering several aspects\, as e.g. bottlenecks alon g the nucleosynthesis path induced by neutron magic nuclei\, branching poi nts\, neutron sources and poison in the stars.\nAn overview of the relevan t results and perspectives will be presented in the contribution.\n\nhttps ://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3742/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3742/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Measuring decays of excited states in 26Si to improve reaction rat e calculations of 22Mg(α\,p)25Al relevant to type I X-ray bursts DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251126T074500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251126T080000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3781@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 experiments\, includ ing nuclear astrophysics. These instruments have been used\, among others\ , in studies measuring proton decays from αunbound states in 22Mg through the 24Mg(p\,t)22Mg reaction to study the 18Ne(α\,p)21Na cross section re levant in type-I X-ray bursts (XRBs) during breakout reactions from the Ho t-CNO cycles in Red Giant and neutron star binaries. Similarly\, this expe rimental method has been utilised during the measurement of the 50Cr(p\,t) 48Cr reaction to determine the 44Ti(α\,p)47V reaction rate indirectly. Th is talk will examine the 28Si(p\,t)26Si experiment that has been approved for beamtime at iThemba LABS\, Cape Town. This reaction can be used in coi ncidence measurements to study proton decays from α-unbound states in 26S i to determine the cross section and thermonuclear reaction rate of 22Mg( α\,p)25Al and its influence on type-I XRBs.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za /event/138/contributions/3781/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3781/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Nuclear Level Densities and Photon Strength Functions measurements DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251126T073000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251126T074500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3741@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sunniva Siem (University of Oslo)\nThe Oslo Method i s a unique technique to extract simultaneously the nuclear level density ( NLD) and photon strength function (PSF) from excitation energy tagged gamm a-ray spectra. These nuclear properties are important inputs in cross sect ion calculations and can be used to constrain neutron capture cross sectio ns for nuclei\, where these cannot be measured directly. I will give an ov erview of the Oslo-method\, and present our latest result on level densit ies and photon strength functions.\nFor some nuclei we observe a pygmy res onance and other a scissors resonance on the tail of the Giant Dipole Reso nance\, and for many nuclei a low energy enhancement of the PSF was observ ed. This low energy enhancement has been shown to strongly increase the ne utron capture rates if also present for neutron rich nuclei. To reach thes e more neutron rich nuclei\, two new experimental approaches have been dev eloped: The beta-Oslo method and the Oslo method in inverse kinematics. I will also present some recently published results from Oslo method in inve rse kinematics experiments on: Kr isotopes\, performed at iThemba LABS and 67Ni from an experiment performed at HIE-ISOLDE\, CERN\, the later being an important for the i process.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/co ntributions/3741/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3741/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Light ions accompanied break-up of the medium heavy fission isomer s DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T152000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T153500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3759@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Dmitry Kamanin (Joint Institute for Nuclear Research )\nIn series of the photo-fission reactions\, namely\, 235\, 238U(γ\, f)\ , 232Th(γ\, f)\, 242Pu(γ\, f) we have found that some part of the fissio n fragments (FFs) are presumably born in the state of the fission isomer w ith the yield Y ≈ 10–3/binary fission and with the lifetime τisom > 4 00 nsec [1\, 2]. A binary break-up of such fragments was observed when the y pass through a solid-state foil. The effect takes place also for the FFs from 252Cf(sf). In the proposed presentation we discuss also the mode of the break-up with forming light ions in the mass range (3-20) u as one of the resultant decay products. The link of such events with known polar emi ssion of the light charged particles is analyzed. \n\nReferences\n1. D.V. Kamanin et al.\, Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Physics\, V . 87 (2023)\, p. 1238.\n2. D.V. Kamanin et al.\, Journal of Physics: Confe rence Series\, V. 2586 (2023) 012043.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/ 138/contributions/3759/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3759/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Enhancing the Accuracy of Gamma-Ray Spectrometry Using CNN and KAN Architectures DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T150500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T152000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3721@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Vuako Maluleke (Univen\, iTHemba LABS )\nAccurate an alysis in gamma-ray spectrometry is critical for a wide range of applicati ons\, from environmental monitoring to nuclear safeguards. In this study\, we present a machine learning-driven approach to improve spectrometric ac curacy using two powerful neural architectures: Convolutional Neural Netwo rks (CNNs) and Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks (KANs). By training these models on a curated dataset of gamma spectra\, we demonstrate enhanced energy re solution and peak identification compared to traditional analytical method s. The performance of each model is assessed using standard evaluation met rics including accuracy\, precision\, recall\, F1-score\, and mean absolut e error (MAE). Additionally\, we will showcase a custom-built interactive dashboard that visualizes training progress\, model predictions\, and spec trum classification results in real-time. This work highlights the potenti al of deep learning techniques\, especially hybrid and non-linear approxim ators like KAN\, in advancing the state-of-the-art in nuclear spectrometri c analysis.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3721/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3721/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:ARDE: Neural network-based algorithms for discrimination between e lectrons and γ-rays DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T145000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T150500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3698@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Marco Rocchini (INFN - Division of Florence)\nThe re sults of the ARDE project will be presented\, aiming to develop innovative algorithms based on neural network architectures to discriminate between signals induced by electrons and γ-rays in semiconductor detectors\, spec ifically in Si(Li) and HPGe. The algorithm performances for internal conve rsion electron spectroscopy measurements in an energy range from ∼300 ke V to ∼1-2 MeV will be investigated. Using techniques based on artificial intelligence and machine learning enables the simultaneous analysis of al l the information of the signal shape\, rather than relying on a correlati on between two parameters as in traditional PSA techniques. Thanks to ARDE \, the instrumentation used for internal conversion electron spectroscopy measurements will be simplified\, moving away from the current reliance on magnetic γ-ray filters. These filters cause significant technical issues during measurements\, such as making detection efficiency highly dependen t on the energy of the electrons. Furthermore\, the techniques developed i n this project will provide the foundation for other applications\, such a s those related to the search for rare events (e.g.\, 0νββ decay) and m edical applications\, where measuring β-radiation doses and energy in the presence of γ-radiation background is crucial.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.a c.za/event/138/contributions/3698/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3698/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Teaching Old PETs New Signals DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T143500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T145000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3731@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thomas Leadbeater (University of Cape Town)\nLegacy ex-clinical positron emission tomography (PET) systems continue to offer p owerful capabilities when coupled with modern digital data acquisition (DD AQ) systems. At the University of Cape Town\, revitalised PET hardware is being transformed into a flexible experimental platform for applied nuclea r physics\, radiation detection\, multimodal imaging studies\, and student education and training.\n\nThe reimagined toolkit enables a wide range of PETs: from emission tomography (PET) and particle tracking (PEPT)\, to sp ectroscopy\, and hybrid systems integrating X-ray CT or low-field MRI. The development of high-speed\, high-resolution DDAQ systems enables access t o full event-level data\, significantly enhancing the information content and processing flexibility of acquired signals. These advances support eme rging measurement modalities\, including angular gamma correlation and pos itronium lifetime imaging\, with potential sensitivity to localised chemic al and material environments.\n\nA newly acquired X-ray CT tomograph\, com missioned in 2025\, enables high-resolution structural imaging complementi ng positron-derived functional and dynamic data\, opening new opportunitie s for multimodal analysis. The resulting platform combines legacy detector design with modern computational modelling and real-time event processing \, paving the way for next-generation applications in nuclear instrumentat ion\, imaging\, and flow dynamics research.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/ event/138/contributions/3731/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3731/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Building a Hybrid Compton Camera System for Improving Medical Imag ing Applications DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T142000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T143500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3758@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Shanyn-Dee Hart (iThemba LABS)\nThis work investigat es building a two-stage Compton camera in terms of energy resolution\, eff iciency\, fast timing\, and geometrical configuration for beam range monit oring in hadron therapy. While development of a clinical imaging device ha s made tremendous strides\, there are challenges to be addressed.\nA Compt on camera prototype is investigated\, assessing the optimal geometrical co nfiguration of compact\, low-voltage 14x14x25.4 mm LaBr$_3$:Ce SiPM-readou t scintillation detectors to maximise on the strengths of the cutting-edge SiPM technology. These detectors\, manufactured by CapeScint (MA\, USA)\, have demonstrated excellent energy resolution (~3.4% at 662 keV)\, and ar e known for their fast-timing capabilities. The tracking of scatter events was modelled using the TOPAS Monte Carlo toolkit to assess the best measu rement configuration and timing attributes\, followed by measurements with standard gamma-ray sources. Further\, two Cs$_2$LiYCl$_6$ SiPM-readout de tectors have been commissioned to maximise on their neutron detection capa bility using pulse shape discrimination to distinguish between neutron and gamma events for in situ neutron dose measurements during hadron therapy. \nThe development of this device would assist in the improvement of hadron therapy safety margins to optimise the dose to cancer cells while reducin g the effect to the surrounding healthy tissues and organs at risk. This w ill improve treatment effectiveness and helping strengthen the application of hadron therapy in the fight against cancer. An overview of preliminary results will be presented.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contri butions/3758/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3758/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Neutron-gamma emission tomography for security and non-proliferati on applications DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T140500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T142000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3717@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bo Cederwall (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)\nNu clear security issues have received increased attention in recent years\, in particular in the current geopolitical climate. At the same time\, fast developments in the nuclear energy sector also require new developments f or enhanced nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards techniques. There is a strong connection between these areas in terms of technical solutions in the field. We have demonstrated that the novel neutron-gamma emission to mography (NGET) technique [1]\, which is based on correlated detection of fast neutrons and γ rays from spontaneous/induced fission in actinide mat erials\, will contribute to an important technological step for the charac terisation of radioactive waste [2\,3]\, as well as for advanced radiatio n portal monitoring (RPM) systems for different security applications [2\, 4\,5]. In this talk I will review new developments and future perspectives for applying NGET in these and other applications of benefit to society.\ n\n[1] Jana Petrović\, Alf Göök\, and Bo Cederwall\, Rapid imaging of special nuclear materials for nuclear nonproliferation and terrorism preve ntion\, Sci. Adv. 7\, 1 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abg3032\n[2 ] B. Cederwall\, A novel 3D-imaging and characterisation technique for sp ecial nuclear materials in radioactive waste\,\nEPJ Nuclear Sci. Technol. 9\, 8 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1051/epjn/2022037\n[3] J. Vasiljević\, V. Peters\, A. Puranen\, and B. Cederwall\, ’Sensitive imaging of actinide materials in shielded radioactive waste’\nNature Sci. Rep. 14\, 26798 ( 2024)\n[4] Jana Vasiljević and Bo Cederwall\, Performance Evaluation of a n Imaging Radiation Portal Monitor System\, Appl. Sci. 12(18)\, 9001 (2022 ). https://doi.org/10.3390/app12189001\n[5]R. Stone\, New type of imager c ould help spot smuggled nuclear materials\, Science\, 19 May 2021.\nhttps: //doi.org/10.1126/science.abj5464\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/ contributions/3717/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3717/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:From uNclear to Nuclear: How nuclear science contributes to our so ciety DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T134000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T140500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3679@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thomas Elias Cocolios (KuLeuven)\nNuclear science is a field of research addressing the properties of the constituents of ma tter at the heart of the atom. From the quarks to nuclear reactions in sta rs\, nuclear science is driven by the passion of its communities and the r esearch funding they secure\, mostly from tax-payers. But some may wonder what returns does society gain from this investment.\n\nBesides the eviden t developments related to the nuclear energy sector\, nuclear science has direct impact in the medical sector\, and in particular in the treatment o f some of the most challenging forms of cancer\, as well as in space explo ration\, in better understanding the climate\, in heritage science\, and m any more fields. Some of these applications are directly driven by nuclear science while some other are serendipitous findings that have created dom ains of their own.\n\nIn this contribution\, some examples of exciting app lications of nuclear science will be presented\, the recent work performed in the preparation of the NuPECC Long Range Plan for Nuclear Physics in E urope will be used to highlight how nuclear scientists are actively contri buting to answering challenges of our society\, as summarised by the Unite d Nations with the Sustainable Development Goals\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.a c.za/event/138/contributions/3679/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3679/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Low-lying states of 164Hf and the systematics of N=92 isotones DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T103500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T105000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3784@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thifhelimbilu Daphney Bucher (University of Cape Tow n)\nThe low spin states of $^{164}$Hf were populated using the in-beam $^ {148}$Sm($^{20}$Ne\,4n)$^{164}$Hf reaction at the iThemba LABS AFRODITE fa cility. The data analysis revealed a new gamma band\, 2$^{+}_2$\, situated 0.8 MeV above the ground band. Measurements of spins and parities throug h the angular distribution ratios (DCO) and polarization confirms the plac ement of the new gamma band. Several other transitions have been tentativ ely observed and added to the level structure of $^{164}$Hf.\n\nThe half- lives of both previously and newly observed gamma-ray transitions were mea sured and found to be consistent with previously reported values.\n\nThe p otential energy surface (PES) calculations indicate that the ground state of 164Hf is deformed\, with parameters $\\beta > 0.27$ and $\\gamma > 18.9 $. The gamma band exhibits $\\beta > 0.30 $ and $\\gamma > 24.3$\, while the energy of the second $0^+$ state\, $E(0^+_2)$\, is relatively high at $E=0.9$ MeV\, with deformation $\\beta > 0.39$ and $\\gamma > 14.1$\, maki ng it impossible to identify the beta band. In this presentation\, the nu clear systematics will also be discussed to validate the current observati on in $^{164}$Hf.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/37 84/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3784/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Evidence for Shape coexistence and configuration mixing in 158Er v ia β-decay of Tm isotope DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T102000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T103500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3720@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Abraham Avaa (TRIUMF)\nNuclei around the rare earth transitional region (N ~ 90) present a variety of interesting nuclear stru cture features ranging from triaxiality\, octupoles and shape coexistence. The neutron deficient- nucleus 158Er (N = 90) lies at the boundary of the phase-transitional region\, hence\, it is likely to display of both trans itional and deformed characteristics [1]. Properties of the low-lying stat es play a vital role in probing the structure of nuclei. However\, the int erpretation of the structure of the low-lying states in the rare earth\, N ~ 90 region from previous studies was predominantly based on level spacin g [1-5]. Although\, it has been shown that energy spacings alone can be mi sleading [6]. Therefore\, it has become evident that a larger set of preci se experimental data for a variety of model-independent observables is nec essary to constrain the interpretation of these excitations.\nWe shall rep ort on the nuclear properties such as internal conversion coefficients\, b ranching\, and mixing ratios deduced from γ-e\, γ-γ coincident and\, γ -γ angular correlation measurements following the β-decay of 158Tm using the GRIFFIN set up with its arsenal of ancillary detectors.\n\n[1] P. Agu er\, et al.\, NP A 249\, 239-252 (1975) and references therein\n[2] W.D Ku lp\, et al.\, arXiv:0706.4129 (2007)\n[3] C.R. Hirning and D.G. Burke\, Ca n. J. Phys. 55 (1977)\n[4] D.E. Nelson\, et al.\, Can. J. Phys. 51 (1973)\ n[5] S.N.T. Majola\, et al.\, Phy Rev. C 100\, 044324 (2019)\n[6] P.E. Gar rett\, M. Zelinska\, and E. Clement\, Prog. in Part. and Nucl. Phy. 124\, 103931 (2022)\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3720/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3720/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Triaxiality in Mo and Ru nuclei DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T100500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T102000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3692@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gabriela Thiamova ()\nwe focus on the evolution of t riaxiality from γ-soft toward rigid triaxial shapes in Mo and Ru chains a bove N = 60. Spectral criteria for the second-order phase transition are s uggested and examined. Both chains are investigated within the phenomenolo gical Algebraic Collective Model and in the framework of microscopic Skyrm e-Hartree-Fock + Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer calculations.\n\nhttps://indico .tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3692/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3692/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Triaxiality of neutron-rich ruthenium nuclei studied by lifetime m easurements DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T095000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T100500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3716@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andreas Görgen (University of Oslo\, Norway)\nNeutr on-rich ruthenium nuclei with mass around A≈110 are considered some of t he best examples for nuclei with triaxial shape in their ground state. Qua ntitative information about the deformation in general and the degree of t riaxiality in particular was obtained from lifetime measurements of short- lived excited states in $^{108}$Ru\, $^{110}$Ru\, and $^{112}$Ru. Lifetime s were measured using the recoil distance Doppler shift (RDDS) technique f or states in both the ground-state band and the K=2 gamma band for the Ru isotopes under study. Combining the lifetimes with known branching rations \, the measurements provide a multitude of new B(E2) transition strengths. The excited states were populated in fusion-fission reactions between a $ ^{238}$U beam at 6.2 A MeV and a $^9$Be target in an experiment performed at GANIL. The fission fragments were identified in mass\, charge\, and ato mic number in the magnetic spectrometer VAMOS on an event-by-event basis. The velocity of nuclei exiting the target foil was slowed down in a degrad er that was mounted in a plunger device at variable distances from the tar get. The AGATA gamma-ray tracking array was used to measure picosecond lif etimes with the RDDS method. The experiment produced a wide range of neutr on-rich fission fragments\, for which lifetimes could be measured under id entical experimental conditions. An overview of the results will be presen ted\, with emphasis on the chain of Ru isotopes. The comparison of experim ental results with the triaxial rotor model and with beyond-mean field cal culations provides quantitative information on the evolution of triaxialit y in the chain of Ru isotopes.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/con tributions/3716/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3716/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Spherical-oblate shape coexistence in 94Zr and the SPIDER Coulomb- excitation campaign at LNL DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T090000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T092500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3674@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Marco Rocchini (INFN - Division of Florence)\nLow-en ergy Coulomb excitation is a powerful tool for studying collective propert ies and shape evolution in atomic nuclei. At the INFN Legnaro National Lab oratories (LNL)\, we have been conducting a long-term experimental campaig n using the SPIDER detector\, an array of segmented silicon detectors spec ifically designed for Coulomb-excitation experiments. SPIDER has been used in combination with both the GALILEO gamma-ray spectrometer and\, more re cently\, the AGATA gamma-tracking array.\n\nIn this talk\, I will briefly introduce the SPIDER detector and provide an overview of the Coulomb-excit ation measurements performed at LNL with the GALILEO and AGATA setups. I w ill then focus on the specific case of 94Zr\, which represents our most re cently completed analysis. This study marked the first application of the quadrupole sum rules method in the Zr isotopic chain and provided clear ev idence of spherical-oblate shape coexistence in 94Zr. The experimental res ults will be discussed in the context of state-of-the-art nuclear models a nd quantum phase transitions.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/cont ributions/3674/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3674/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Multiple shape coexistence in Cd isotopes studied with Coulomb exc itation DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T092500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T095000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3672@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Katarzyna Wrzosek-Lipska ()\nMid-shell Cd nuclei wer e traditionally considered to be the best examples of vibrational nuclei. Recent studies that combined detailed γ-ray spectroscopy with sophisticat ed beyond-mean-field calculations had suggested [1\,2] that the low-lying 0+ states in 110\,112Cd possessed prolate\, triaxial\, and oblate shapes w ith rotational-like bands built upon them. If confirmed\, this would have major implications on structural interpretations of nuclei in the Z = 50 r egion\, and perhaps beyond. Soon afterwards a similar picture was suggeste d for 106Cd [3\,4].\n\nThe low-energy Coulomb-excitation technique represe nts an ideal tool to study nuclear deformation. It enables a direct determ ination of electromagnetic transition matrix elements between low-lying ex cited states including spectroscopic quadrupole moments and signs. Those c an be further analysed in terms of quadrupole invariants [5] yielding mode l-independent information on shape parameters of individual states. This r equires\, however\, extensive sets of high-precision experimental data. \n \nA multi-faceted experimental program to ascertain the deformation of low -energy states in 110Cd has been initiated. We seek to firmly establish th e shape of the first three lowest-lying 0+ states through the use of the r otation-invariant sum rules for E2 transitions. Coulomb-excitation measure ments were performed using various reaction partners: 14N and 32S beams wi th EAGLE at HIL UW (Warsaw\, Poland)\, 60Ni beam with AGATA at LNL (Legnar o\, Italy) and 110Cd beam on a 208Pb target with GRETINA at ANL (Argonne \ , USA). These measurements have been complemented by an experiment perform ed at TRIUMF-ISAC with the GRIFFIN spectrometer examining the decays of 11 0Ag/110In that will provide high-precision data on γ-ray branching ratios and transition mixing ratios. First results on quadrupole deformation par ameters for the 0+1 and 0+2 states\, demonstrating non-axial character of the ground state in 110Cd\, will be presented. These experimental findings will be discussed in the context of: (i) Symmetry-Conserving Configuratio n-Mixing approach [1\,2] and\, (ii) new calculations with the general quad rupole collective Bohr Hamiltonian model involving two variants of interac tions: SLy4 and UNEDF0.\n\nFuture perspectives will be outlined\, includin g a brief overview of Coulomb-excitation studies addressing shape coexiste nce in the Z ∼ 50 region within the experimental campaigns at HIL Warsaw and at LNL Legnaro.\n\nReferences\n[1] P. Garrett et al.\, Phys. Rev. Let t. 123 (2019) 142502.\n[2] P. Garrett et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 101 (2020) 044 302.\n[3] M. Siciliano et al.\, Phys. Rev. C 104 (2021) 034320.\n[4] D. Ka laydjieva \, PhD thesis\, Universite Paris-Saclay\, 2023\n[5] K. Kumar et al.\, Phys. Rev. Lett. 28 (1972) 249\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/1 38/contributions/3672/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3672/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Nuclear structure for fundamental symmetry tests: Probing the quar k and neutrino sectors with low-energy stable beams DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T082500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3782@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Smarajit Triambak (University of the Western Cape)\n Nuclear structure plays a critical role in fundamental symmetry studies th at probe physics beyond the Standard Model. In this talk\, I will discuss nuclear structure investigations performed with low-energy stable beams at tandem accelerator facilities\, emphasizing their relevance to symmetry t ests in both the quark and neutrino sectors. Examples will include measure ments relevant for searches of second-class currents and neutrinoless doub le-beta decay.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3782/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3782/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Collinear laser spectroscopy for the investigation of short-lived radionuclides DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T073000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T075500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3787@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Stephan Malbrunot-Ettenauer (TRIUMF)\nElectromagneti c properties of short-lived radionuclides serve as highly sensitive probes of the structural evolution of atomic nuclei far away from stability. Exp erimentally\, they can be investigated using laser spectroscopy\, where me asurements of the atomic hyperfine structure provide access to the electro magnetic moments and charge radii of nuclear ground states and long-lived isomers. As these observables reflect both single-particle and collective (bulk) nuclear properties\, laser spectroscopy offers crucial benchmarks f or modern theoretical models of nuclear structure\, particularly when trac ing their evolution along isotopic chains from stability toward the limits of nuclear existence. Among the laser techniques developed at radioactive ion beam (RIB) facilities\, collinear laser spectroscopy (CLS) has a long and successful history\, providing high resolution experimental data.\n\n In this talk\, I will present recent scientific highlights from collinear laser spectroscopy\, with a particular focus on novel CLS techniques devel oped to enhance the experimental sensitivity for studying the `most exotic ’ radionuclides\, available at today’s RIB facilities in quantities of only a few (tens of) ions per second\, yet of intriguing physics interest .\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3787/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3787/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Constraining Neutron-Capture Cross Sections with Quasi-Continuum N uclear Data DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T070000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251125T072500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3783@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mathis Wiedeking (Lawrence brekely laboratory)\nThe gamma-ray decay of nuclear states in the quasi-continuum provides signific ant\nconstraints on neutron-capture cross sections. In particular\, measur ements of Nuclear Level Densities (NLDs) and Photon Strength Functions (PS Fs) have and will continue to play a central role as these are inputs for the statistical Hauser-Feshbach model. This facilitates the extraction of neutron-capture cross-section data even for nuclei where direct measuremen ts are not feasible. Now\, PSF and NLD measurements in previously inaccess ible regions of the nuclear chart have become possible due to many facilit ies worldwide offering enhanced or new state-of-the-art research infrastru cture. These range from significant increases inefficiencies for particle and gamma-ray detectors to new or upgraded radioactive ion beam facilities . In parallel\, several new experimental and analytical techniques have be en developed\, enabling more reliable PSF and NLD studies. This collective progress leads to unprecedented insight not only into the structure of nu clei but also to provide experimental constraints relevant to fundamental research and applications. In this presentation\, I will provide an overvi ew of the most significant advances made and how these have laid the found ation for novel and ambitious measurements of PSFs and NLDs. Furthermore\, I will discuss how neutron-capture reaction rates\, constrained through t he measurement of PSFs and NLDs\, improve our understanding of observed is otopic abundances.\n\nThis material is based upon work supported by the U. S. Department of Energy\, Office of Science\, Office of Nuclear Physics un der Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231 and supported by the US Nuclear Data Pr ogram.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3783/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3783/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Constructing a calibration standard for photoneutron measurements by extracting cross sections of the giant-dipole resonance response in th e heavy nucleus 169Tm DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T150500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T152000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3700@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Benjamin Wellons (Texas A&M University)\nWe are cons tructing a cross-section calibration standard for photo-neutron reactions\ , by obtaining high-precision ($\\gamma$\,1n) and ($\\gamma$\,2n) cross se ctions. Photo-absorption reactions are when a nucleus absorbs electromagne tic radiation of energies around 10-20 MeV\, exciting the isovector giant dipole resonance (GDR) response in the nucleus. Most heavy nuclei decay by emitting neutrons which are the experimental signature. However\, neutron detection is difficult since they are uncharged and there is sometimes on e or two emitted in the reaction meaning that the efficiency can be hard t o quantify. Our measurement uses $^{169}$Tm as a target since its ($\\gamm a$\,1n) and ($\\gamma$\,2n) reactions result in unstable nuclei with well- understood decays with characteristic $\\gamma$ rays: $^{168}$Tm and $^{16 7}$Tm\, respectively. The photo-activation measurement was carried out at the $\\gamma$ELBE Bremsstrahlung-creation facility in Dresden\, Germany. B oth ($\\gamma$\,1n) and ($\\gamma$\,2n) reactions were observed using irra diations at different electron energies\, meaning ($\\gamma$\,1n) and ($\\ gamma$\,2n) cross-sections can be determined. Once we extract the cross-se ctions\, this nucleus will be used as a calibration standard for other pho to-absorption measurements. An explanation of our project\, the experiment \, and analysis methods will be given at ANPC.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac. za/event/138/contributions/3700/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3700/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Extraction of the Giant Monopole Resonance strength distribution w ith Multipole Decomposition Analysis DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T145000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T150500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3743@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lesedi Jafta (University of the Western Cape and iTh emba LABS)\nIt has been established that inelastic alpha scattering at a f ew hundred MeV\, particularly at very forward scattering angles including $0^\\circ$\, is effective for probing the Isoscalar Giant Monopole Resonan ce (ISGMR) strength distribution ($E_0$) in atomic nuclei. Two previous st udies on the evolution of the ISGMR in the even-even $^{40\,42\,44\,48}$Ca isotopes were conducted at two different facilities: the Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP) and the Texas A&M University Cyclotron Institut e (TAMU). These studies produced conflicting results regarding the systema tic trend of nuclear incompressibility across the calcium isotopic chain u nder investigation. In response\, the iThemba LABS group conducted an inde pendent study of the same isotopes to investigate the potential origins of these discrepancies. Measurements were carried out at $0^\\circ$ and $4^\ \circ$ scattering angles\, and an energy-dependent version of the differen ce-of-spectra (DoS) method was initially employed. While this method offer s high energy resolution\, it relies on the strength contributions of all $L \\geq 0$ multipolarity components published in the literature\, thereby compromising the independence of our results. To address this\, Multipol e Decomposition Analysis (MDA) was applied to extract the $E_0$ strength d istributions. Although the limited angular range may reduce the precision for higher multipolarity strengths\, it does allow for the accurate extrac tion of the $E_0$ component independently of other studies.\n\nTwo MDA met hods were used in the analysis: the $\\texttt{emcee}$ Python code\, which employs the sophisticated Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling algorit hm\, and a second MDA method is based on the MINUIT algorithm\, implemente d within the ROOT data analysis framework. Selected results obtained using both methods will be presented at the conference.\n\nThis research work i s supported by the National Research Foundation (ref no: PMDS22062727817). \n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3743/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3743/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Collective Excitations in Rare-Earth Nuclei: Insights from Isoscal ar Giant Resonances DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T142500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T145000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3673@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Soumya Bagchi (Indian Institute of Technology Dhanba d)\nThe strength distributions of Isoscalar Giant Resonances have been inv estigated via inelastic alpha- particle scattering on $^{142\,146–150}$N d and $^{172}$Yb. All nuclei\, except $^{142}$Nd\, exhibit deformed charac teristics\, with $^{172}$Yb having the largest deformation with its quadru pole deformation parameter exceeds 0.3. The Isoscalar Giant Monopole Reson ance (ISGMR) strength distributions reveal a characteristic splitting into two components in the deformed nuclei\, while the nearly spherical $^{142 }$Nd exhibits a single ISGMR peak. This splitting arises from the coupling of the ISGMR with the $K$ = 0 component of the Isoscalar Giant Quadrupole Resonance (ISGQR) [1]. A significant outcome of this study is the first-t ime observation of overtone structures in the ISGQR strength distributions of Nd isotopes\, appearing around 25 MeV\, as extracted using Multipole D ecomposition Analysis (MDA). Overtones are well-known in the ISGMR and Iso scalar Giant Dipole Resonance (ISGDR) and they are related to the nuclear incompressibility in finite nucleus\, which is in turn related to the inco mpressibility of nuclear matter. The observation of an overtone in the ISG QR suggests that this mode may also carry information about the incompress ibility of nuclear matter. Notably\, the first evidence for a high-lying E 2 resonance near 27 MeV was reported in the proton decay of the ISGDR in $ ^{208}$Pb [2].\nIn this talk\, I will show how nuclear deformation influen ces these strength distributions as we transit from spherical to prolate s hapes. Furthermore\, I will discuss the first-ever observation of overtone signatures in the ISGQR strength distributions within Nd isotopes. The pr esent experimental results will be compared with predictions from theoreti cal models.\n\n**References**\n[1] U. Garg et al.\, Phys. Rev. Lett. 45\, 1670 (1980).\n[2] M. Hunyadi et al.\, Phys. Lett. B 576\, 253 (2003).\n[3] M. Abdullah\, S. Bagchi\, M. N. Harakeh et al.\, Phys. Lett. B 855\, 1388 52 (2024).\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3673/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3673/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Systematic study of 3n and 3p Systems DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T140000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T142500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3681@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kenjiro Miki (Tohoku University)\nRecent observation s of peak structures in the excitation spectra of the four-neutron system have brought new attention to multineutron systems from both experimental and theoretical perspectives. A key challenge lies in identifying the mech anisms behind these peaks and exploring systematics as neutron number chan ges. Addressing these issues is important for deepening our grasp of neutr on-rich few-body dynamics and the underlying nuclear forces in extreme env ironments.\n\nAmong such systems\, the three-neutron (3n) system is one of the simplest multineutron configurations and provides a useful starting p oint for studying neutron correlations. It is generally thought that such delicate systems are optimally accessed through reactions with minimal mom entum transfer. However\, prior investigations of the 3n system have not e xplored this low-momentum transfer domain. To address this\, we conducted a measurement of the 3H(t\, 3He)3n reaction at 170 MeV/u using the SHARAQ spectrometer at RIKEN RIBF —a pioneering example of intermediate-energy RI-RI scattering employing a triton beam and tritium target. A specially d eveloped high-density tritiated titanium target was employed to ensure suf ficient statistics. \n\nAdditionally\, we carried out a parallel study of the three-proton system (3p) via the isospin-symmetric 3He(3He\, t)3p reac tion at RCNP. Together\, these experiments offer complementary insights in to the T = 3/2 sector of the three-nucleon system.\n\nIn this talk\, we wi ll present the detailed results of these studies\, as well as our plans fo r future experimental investigations of multineutron systems using new app roaches.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3681/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3681/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Electromagnetic and thermodynamic properties in the quasi-continuu m of mid-mass nuclei through inverse and direct kinematics. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T131000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T132500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3751@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mhlangano Nkalanga (University of Johannesburg)\nThe electromagnetic properties of nuclei excited to the quasi-continuum regio n are\nbest studied and explained using statistical decay observables\, su ch as the nuclear\nlevel density (NLD) and γ-ray strength function (γSF) . These quantities can be\nextracted from experimental particle-γ coincid ence matrix using the Oslo method and\nShape method\, respectively. In thi s study\, experiments were carried out at iThemba\nLABS using the AFRODITE array with $^{85}$Kr beam on a deuterated polyethylene\ntarget\, and prot on beam on 64Ni target to undergo (d\, p) reactions\, producing $^{85}$Kr and $^{63}$Ni. The nuclear level density and strength function will be ext racted from the coincidence events which were detected in the AFRODITE arr ay. The NLD and γSF will be investigated to i) determine the existence of low-lying energy enhancement in $^{85}$Kr\, confirm the reported of low-l ying energy enhancement in $^{63}$Ni ii) perform a rigorous test of the Br ink-Axel hypothesis in $^{85}$Kr and $^{63}$Ni\, and iii) the first experi mental determination of thermodynamic properties of $^{85}$Kr and $^{63}$N i.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3751/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3751/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Indirect experimental technique for constraining the 193\,194Ir(n\ ,γ) cross sections DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T125500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T131000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3725@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sebenzile Pretty Engelinah Magagula (IThemba Labs an d University of the Witwatersrand)\nWhen it comes to the formation of elem ents\, particularly those heavier than iron\,\npredominantly occurs throug h two neutron capture processes: slow\nneutron capture process and rapid n eutron capture process\, each\ncontributing approximately 50%. These are k nown as the s- and\nr-processes\, respectively [1].\nThe neutron capture r eactions 192Ir(n\,γ)193Ir and 193Ir(n\,γ)194Ir\nwere indirectly studied by analyzing data obtained from the Oslo\nCyclotron Laboratory (OCL). Thes e data enabled the study of the\n193\,194Ir isotopes\, originating from th e 192Os(α\,tγ) and 192Os(α\,dγ)\nreactions\, respectively. The 193Ir(n \,γ)194Ir cross sections constrained\nby our measurements provided a comp arison to existing (n\,γ) mea-\nsurement data [2]. Additionally\, the 192 Ir(n\,γ)193Ir reaction maps a\nbranching point in the s-process\, making it highly significant. How-\never\, directly measuring the (n\,γ) cross s ection is challenging due to\nthe instability of 192Ir. Therefore\, the OC L data provided valuable\ninformation on the 192Ir(n\,γ)193Ir cross secti on by indirectly con-\nstraining it using the experimental nuclear level d ensity (NLD) and\nγ-strength function (γSF).\nAn array of Sodium Iodine (NaI)Tl detectors\, called CACTUS\,\ndetected γ-rays\, while the silicon particle telescope array\, called SiRi\,\nwas used to detect charged parti cles in coincidence. The NLDs and\nγSFs were extracted below the neutron separation energy\, Sn\, using\nthe Oslo Method [3]. Furthermore\, the NLD s and γSFs were used as\n1\ninputs in the open-source code TALYS to calcu late the neutron cap-\nture cross-sections and Maxwellian averaged neutron capture cross\nsections (MACS) for 193\,194Ir. Final results of this stud y will be\npresented in comparison to existing data.\n[1] [2] [3] Arnould\ , M.\, Goriely\, S.\, and Takahashi\, K. (2007). Physics\nReports\, 450(4- 6)\, 97-213.\nZerkin\, V. V.\, and Pritychenko\, B. (2018). The experiment al\nnuclear reaction data (EXFOR) 888\, 31-43.\nSchiller\, A.\, Bergholt\, L.\, Guttormsen\, M.\, Melby\, E.\, Rekstad\,\nJ.\, and Siem\, S. (2000). Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics\nResearch Section A: Accelerat ors\, Spectrometers\, Detectors and As-\nsociated Equipment\, 447(3)\, 498 -511.\nThis work is based on research supported in part by the National Re -\nsearch Foundation of South Africa (Grant Number:PMDS22070734847)\,\nSAI NTS Prestigious Doctoral Scholarship\, U.S. Department of Energy\,\nOffice of Science\, Office of Nuclear Physics under Contract No. DE-AC02-\n05CH1 1231 and the SARChI under grant No REP-SARC180529336567.\n\nhttps://indico .tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3725/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3725/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Study of the K quantum number of pygmy states in 154Sm DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T124000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T125500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3768@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Refilwe Emil Molaeng (School of Physics\, University of the Witwatersrand SSC Laboratory\, iThemba LABS)\nThis work investigat es the Pygmy Dipole Resonance (PDR) in the deformed $^{154}$Sm nucleus. Th e study uses the ($\\vec{\\gamma}$\,$\\vec{\\gamma}^{\\prime}$) reaction t o excite dipole states at energies ranging from 3.5 MeV to 7.05 MeV\, appr oaching the neutron separation energy at 8 MeV. Measurements were taken wi th the Clover Array at the HI$\\gamma$S facility of the Triangle Universi ties Nuclear Laboratory. The facility's polarised photon beam enables meas urements using the asymmetry method to distinguish between $1^{-}$ and $1^ {+}$ states. The high-resolution beam mode (with an energy spread below 2% ) allows for the determination of decay branching ratios to the first $2^ {+}$ state thereby enabling the identification of the $K$ quantum number f or the excited states. Additionally\, the current study extends the invest igation of the Alaga rules to the PDR region of $^{154}$Sm\, as they have so far only been investigated for $^{150}$Nd$^{[1]}$. We provide prelimina ry results and discuss prospects for future analysis.\n\nThis work is base d on the research supported in part by the National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grants No. MND210503598725\, No. REP\\_SARC180529336567) an d the US Department of Energy (Grants No. DE-FG02-97ER41041 (UNC)\, No. DE -FG02-97ER41033 (TUNL)).\n\nReferences\n1. O. Papst et al.\, Deviations fr om the Porter-Thomas distribution due to non-statistical gamma decay below the $^{150}$Nd neutron separation threshold (2025)\, arXiv:2501.19185 [nu cl-ex].\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3768/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3768/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Search for E1 extra strength below giant dipole resonance DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T121500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T124000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3680@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Oliver Wieland (INFN sezione di Milano)\nThe questio n of the properties of the E1 strength below the Giant Dipole Resonance (G DR) is of paramount interest for the understanding of the nuclei\, for tes ting theoretical models and has important implications in astrophysics. Th e dependance of this additional strength in function of Neutron number\, i sospin\, temperature and angular momentum is mostly unexplored. A series o f experiments addressed this questions in the isotopic chain in Ni (and Fe ) isotopes going from the N=Z 56Ni up to the exotic nucleus 70Ni also from zero to finite temperature. The measurements were done in different labor atories\, like GSI (D)\, RIBF (J)\, LNL (I) and in the last years in the t wo EuroLABS facilities IFIN-HH (Ro) and CCB (Pl).\n\nConfirmed and prelimi nary new results will be discussed.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/13 8/contributions/3680/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3680/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Portable African Neutron-Gamma Laboratory for Innovative Nuclear S cience DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T105000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T110500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3762@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Pete Jones (iThemba LABS)\niThemba LABS has pioneere d a mobile gamma-ray detection unit[1] which allows a user to operate in t he field and chart the location\, strength and energy of gamma radiation. The system incorporates a sensitive scintillation detector[2] typically u sed for accelerator-based spectroscopy at the SSC laboratory and was integ rated into a backpack incorporating a fast 125 MHz digitiser for readout a nd a GPS enabled Raspberry Pi microprocessor system\, allowing in situ mea surements of radiation around the Cape Town site\, with collected data str eamed to the cloud and analysed offline. After conducting a series of roll out radiation measurement tests at Faure site\, iThemba LABS has successfu lly used the gamma-ray detection system in collaboration with local and re gional institutions to take radiation monitoring measurements from calibra ted sources in the field\, including radiation measurements tests conducte d at Kruger National Park and at mining areas both in South Africa and in Botswana. It has also been used in the commissioning of the SAIF facility monitoring the performance of the water-cooling circuits. \nThe Portable African Neutron-Gamma Laboratory for Innovative Nuclear Science (PANGoLINS ) project aims to investigate measurements of both gamma rays and neutrons which forms an important component part on site or in transit and the det ection of both fissile material for the use in decarbonised energy sources or disposal thereof. A core component of the project is be to miniaturiz e the weight of the gamma ray detection device and associated infrastructu re so that it can be loaded on an unmanned aerial vehicle to enable access to\, and enhance performance of radiation monitoring measurements at remo te sites leading to autonomous operations.\n\nPANGoLINS incorporates comme rcial detector assemblies of LaBr3(Ce)\, SrI2(Eu) and/or CLYC(Ce) for spec troscopy. In addition\, the project encompasses the instrumentation of ot her scintillation detectors with silicon photomultiplier technologies. Th e coupling of these to readout devices such as high density ADC readout ar e planned for applications for nuclear science\, medical imaging or astron omy.\n\nAn overview of the project\, its progress and potential outcomes w ill be presented.\n\nReferences\n[1] Jones\, P. et al.\, IEEE Nuclear Scie nce Symposium (2023) doi: 10.1109/NSSMICRTSD49126.2023.10338129\n[2] Msebi \, L. et al.\, NIM-A. 1026 (2022) 166195\, doi: 10.1016/j.nima.2021.166195 \n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3762/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3762/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Investigation of axial and non-axial deformed shapes in nuclei at VECC DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T102500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T105000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3676@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gopal Mukherjee (Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre)\n The experimental investigation of nuclear shapes remained one of the fasci nating field of research in nuclear structure research. Normally\, the def ormed shapes are expected in nuclei with mid-shell nucleon numbers\, away from the magic numbers. However\, for nuclei close to either proton or neu tron shell closures\, interesting structural effects are observed. In addi tion to axially symmetric prolate and oblate deformation\, different manif estations of triaxial shapes are reported in mid-mass nuclei. The triaxial shapes are realised through the observation of gamma band\, wobbling band s and chiral doublet bands. In the recent time\, we have identified all th ese three manifestations in nuclei in different mass regions by gamma ray spectroscopic study using the Indian National Gamma Array (INGA) facility with up to 12 clover HPGe detectors at VECC. The wobbling band and gamma b ands are identified in the isotopes of Au and Os\, the proton Fermi levels of which lie just below the Z = 82 shell closure. The intruder h9/2 and i 13/2 orbitals have been found to play important role in inducing triaxial shapes in these nuclei. On the other hand\, in the lighter region\, axiall y deformed shapes have been identified in Fe and Mn nuclei\, near the doub ly-magic 56Ni core. Our recent observation of a magnetic rotational (MR) b and in 57Fe extended the systematics of MR bands to the lightest mass regi on involving only the fp orbitals. \n\nThe details of our recent results w ill be presented in the conference.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/13 8/contributions/3676/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3676/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Status of research at the FLNR\, JINR DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T100000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T102500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3732@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Grzegorz Kaminski (Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Rect ions\, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research)\nThe scientific programme of the laboratory includes experimental research in the synthesis and studies of nuclear physics and chemical properties of new superheavy elements\, f usion and fission reactions and multi-nucleon transfer in heavy-ion collis ions\; studies of the properties of nuclei on the border of the nucleon st ability and mechanisms of nuclear reactions with accelerated radioactive n uclei\; studies of interaction of heavy ions with various materials.\n\nTh e flagship projects at the FLNR are focused on synthesis of new superheavy elements at the "Superheavy Element Factory" (SHE factory). SHE factory i s based on a specialized accelerator - the DC280 cyclotron and the Dubna G as-Filled Recoil Separators: DGFRS-II and GRAND (DGFRS-III). The recent r esults in super heavy element research will be presented.\n\nAnother impor tant direction of study is light exotic nuclei near and beyond the borders of nuclear stability. The main facility is the U400M accelerator and a hi gh-acceptance separator\, ACCULINNA-2. The results of recent experimental studies on light exotic nuclei\, such as 4n\,6\,7H\,7He\,10Li\, etc.) have demonstrated a high potential of the ACCULINNA-2 setup for detection char ged particles and neutrons for studies of exotic nuclei. Opportunities of day-two experiments with RIBs using additional heavy equipment (radio freq uency filter\, zero angle spectrometer\, cryogenic tritium target and new detectors development) and the potential of light RIB research at ACCULINN A-2 will be discussed.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributio ns/3732/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3732/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:NUMEN project experimental studies with the K600 spectrometer and MAGNEX detector DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T090000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T091500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3726@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thuthukile Khumalo (iThemba LABS)\nThe NUMEN (NUclea r Matrix Elements for Neutrinoless double-beta decay) project aims to obta in the nuclear matrix elements (NME) to be used as inputs in models to det ermine the lifetime of neutrinoless double-beta ($0\\nu\\beta\\beta$) deca y\, which is related to the absolute mass of the neutrino [1]. This will b e achieved by conducting heavy-ion double charge-exchange (DCE) reactions and measuring the cross sections of these reactions for all isotopes that have been identified to undergo $0\\nu\\beta\\beta$ decay [1]. The occurr ence of the $0\\nu\\beta\\beta$ decay will imply that the lepton number is violated [2]. It is\, therefore\, very important to determine the NMEs as they will assist in elucidating Physics beyond the Standard Model [2]. Pr evious experiments for the NUMEN project at Istituto Nazionale di Fisica N ucleare - Laboratori Nazionali del Sud (INFN-LNS) have suffered from high signal rate due to the interaction of the target and projectile\, which gr eatly outnumber any potential DCE events. Additionally\, the limited energ y resolution of the MAGNEX spectrometer for DCE measurements makes it a cu mbersome task to decouple transitions of interest relevant to the NUMEN pr oject. Particle-$\\gamma$ coincidence measurements are a plausible attempt at a solution for this problem. Thus\, a high-resolution magnetic spectro meter like the K600 at the iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Scienc es (iThemba LABS)\, which is already used for coincidence measurements\, i s a perfect candidate for baseline measurements especially given that the LNS facility is still under upgrade. However\, in its current design\, the existing K600 detection system is limited in the detection of heavy ions (e.g. $^{6}\\mathrm{Li}\, ^{12}\\mathrm{C}\, ^{18}\\mathrm{O}\, ^{18}\\mat hrm{Ne}$) at moderate kinetic energies ($\\approx$ 10~MeV$/u$) and light i ons at low energies ($\\approx$ 5~MeV$/u$) [3]. The development of a new l ow-pressure detection system for the K600 is currently underway to expand the spectrometer research program [3]. Thus\, an already existing detectio n system from the MAGNEX large-acceptance spectrometer at INFN-LNS has bee n coupled to the K600 for NUMEN experiments and to provide a baseline as t o how the K600 will operate with a low-pressure detection system. The coup ling of the MAGNEX focal-plane detection system with the K600 is also bene ficial for other nuclear-structure studies to be conducted with the K600 s pectrometer. \n\nIn this talk the first preliminary results of the commiss ioning of this setup will be presented. \n\n[1] F. Cappuzzello\, C. Agodi\ , M. Cavallaro\, et al. The NUMEN project: NUclear Matrix Elements for Neu trinoless double beta decay. The European Physical Journal A 54\, 1–46 ( 2018).\n[2] M.J Dolinski\, A.W.P. Poon\, and W. Rodejohann. Neutrinoless D ouble-Beta Decay: Status and Prospects. Annual Review of Nuclear and Parti cle Science 69\, 219–251 (2019).\n[3] T. Khumalo. “Low-Pressure Focal- plane detector for the K600: a design study\,” MSc thesis. 2020\n\nhttps ://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3726/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3726/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:IAEA activities in support of nuclear physics research and applica tions DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T081000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T083500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3688@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kalliopi Kanaki (International Atomic Energy Agency) \nFacilitation of development and promotion of nuclear applications for pe aceful purposes and related capacity building are among the IAEA missions where Physics Section contributes most [1]. The relevant activities fall u nder the IAEA's program on nuclear science and cover three main thematic a reas: research and applications with particle accelerators and neutron sou rces (incl. research reactors)\, nuclear instrumentation and capacity buil ding\, and controlled fusion research and technology (incl. cooperation wi th ITER). These efforts help Member States advance their capabilities a nd progress in materials research\, energy\, environment\, food\, agricult ure\, medicine\, cultural heritage\, forensics\, and some other fields wit h a direct socioeconomic impact.\n\nThe Section also operates the Nuclear Science and Instrumentation Laboratory (NSIL) in Seibersdorf [2]\, south o f Vienna. NSIL offers expertise\, training and support for the effective u tilization of nuclear instrumentation and analytical techniques in a range of applications\, such as mobile radiation monitoring\, X-ray spectrometr y\, and neutron science.\n\nThis presentation will showcase how the IAEA s upports nuclear physics research and its diverse applications to address k ey development priorities\, particularly in developing countries. It will also outline future plans for enhancing NSIL capabilities\, including the establishment of an Ion Beam Facility (IBF) for research and applications using ion beams and neutrons.\n\n[1] https://www.iaea.org/about/organizati onal-structure/department-of-nuclear-sciences-and-applications/division-of -physical-and-chemical-sciences/physics-section\n[2] https://nucleus.iaea. org/sites/nuclear-instrumentation/\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138 /contributions/3688/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3688/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Proton Therapy Initiative at the University of Cape Town DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T073000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T081000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3671@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andy Buffler (UCT)\nThe University of Cape Town is l eading the project to establish a proton therapy facility in Cape Town\, n ear to both the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and Groote Sc huur Hospital [1]. Proton therapy centres (new and proposed) are few in t he Southern Hemisphere and absent from the African continent\, besides the newly established centre in Cairo\, within a context where most of the po pulation of Africa are children\, and the rate of paediatric cancer cases is increasing faster than anywhere else in the world. Proton therapy cease d at iThemba LABS in Cape Town over a decade ago.\nThe proton therapy cent re in Cape Town will also include a secondary facility for the production of short-lived radioisotopes for nuclear medicine\, and beam lines for res earch in physics\, engineering\, neuroscience\, radiation metrology and ra diobiology. \nWe present a status report on the project and our vision for the facility for the whole of South Africa and the region more broadly. \ n[1] https://protontherapy.uct.ac.za\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/1 38/contributions/3671/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3671/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Keynote Address DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T071500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T073000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3790@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Fulufhelo Nelwamondo (National Research Foundation)\ nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3790/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3790/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Welcome from iThemba LABS DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T071000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T071500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3789@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Makondelele Victor Tshivhase (iThemba LABS)\nhttps:/ /indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3789/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3789/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Welcome from the Conference Organisers and Safety Briefing DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T070000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251124T071000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260612T044747Z UID:indico-contribution-138-3788@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lindsay Michelle Donaldson (SSC Laboratory\, iThemba LABS)\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3788/ LOCATION:Auditorium URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/138/contributions/3788/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR