An active-target time-projection chamber (TPC) optimized for studying nuclear reactions of astrophysical interest has been developed by the University of Warsaw in collaboration with University of Connecticut and ELI-NP/IFIN-HH. The experimental program focuses on $(\mathrm{p},\gamma)$ and $(\alpha,\gamma)$ reactions that regulate the ratio of carbon and oxygen and those that burn $^{18}$O...
The electron affinity (EA) reflects the energy released when an electron is attached to a neutral atom. An experimental determination of this quantity serves as an important benchmark for atomic models describing electron-correlation effects [1]. A comprehensive understanding of these effects is also necessary for accurate calculations of the specific mass shift, which is required to extract...
To simplify data acquisition electronics when using detectors composed of tens of SiPMs, and still being able to reconstruct positioning information, it is still very common to employ a resistor network. Good results are obtained with the DPC (Discretized Positioning Circuit) configuration, in which each SiPM of the array is connected to one node in a row of resistors, with a column of...
Naturally occurring $^{176}$Lu decays by β- decay to $^{176}$Hf with a half-life of 37.8 Gyr.
This radioactive decay provides an important isotopic clock (Lu/Hf) to date meteorites and minerals, furthermore $^{176}$Lu/$^{176}$Hf can be used as an s-process thermometer in studies of stellar nucleosynthesis.
It has been suggested that some discrepancies involving Lu/Hf age comparisons in...
This project concerned on the development at ENEA-INMRI of new in-situ $4\pi\beta(LS)-\gamma$ coincidence detection system for activity measurement of the short half-lived radionuclides used in Nuclear Medicine. The hardware of the new portable $4\pi\beta(LS)-\gamma$ coincidence detection system was implemented at ENEA-INMRI, in collaboration with Catania University and INFN, by adding a...
One of the main limitations when performing nuclear reactions in inverse kinematics is the so-called kinematic compression. This effect is a consequence of the large centre-of-mass velocity of the scattering system, which greatly diminishes the energy resolution for a given laboratory-frame. The most successful way to suppress this effect is the use of intense magnetic fields, which avoids the...
(α,xn) reactions play an important role in a wide range of applications such as nuclear astrophysics, neutron-induced background in underground laboratories, fission and fusion reactors and non-destructive assays for non-proliferation and spent fuel management applications. However, most of the currently available experimental data was measured decades ago. The data is incomplete and/or...
GELINA is an European Commission nuclear research facility installed at the JRC-Geel site in Belgium [1]. During more than 50 years, this neutron time-of-flight facility has been devoted to the measurement of neutron-induced cross sections. The main interest focus on nuclear energy applications but other research topics such as nuclear astrophysics or medical applications are considered....
The NUMEN experiment aims to measure double charge exchange reaction (DCE) cross sections with heavy-ion beams of unprecedented intensity interacting with specific isotopes [1]. DCE proved to be useful for getting information on the nuclear matrix elements of neutrinoless double beta decay, the most promising probe to establish the Majorana or Dirac nature of the neutrino, and to evaluate the...
N.S. Martorana 1,2, L. Acosta 3,4, C. Altana 2, A. Amato 2, L. Calabretta 2, G. Cardella 5, A. Caruso 2, L. Cosentino 2, M. Costa 2, E. De Filippo 5, G. De Luca 2, E. Geraci 1,5, B. Gnoffo 1,5, C. Guazzoni 4, C. Maiolino 2, E.V. Pagano 2, S. Pirrone 5, G. Politi 1,5, S. Pulvirenti 2, F. Risitano 5,6, F. Rizzo 1,2, A.D. Russo 2, P. Russotto 2, D. Santonocito 2, A. Trifiró 5,6, M. Trimarchi 5,6,...
The neutron time-of-flight facility n_TOF [1] is a pulsed neutron source for time-of-flight measurements mainly devoted to perform neutron cross section measurements. It is characterised by high instantaneous neutron intensity, high-resolution and broad neutron energy beams. Two time-of-flight experimental areas are available at the facility: Experimental ARea 1 (EAR1), located at the end of...
Traditionally, transfer reaction experiments were performed with solid targets combined with complex devices that suffer from limited luminosity for radioactive beams. Active targets, where the gas works both as target and detection medium, are exceptional devices that allow us to overcome the experimental limitations without losing resolution [1, 2].
However, there is a drawback: the need...
CRYRING@ESR facility from FAIR requires the usage of dedicated beam diagnostics systems compatible with ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions (up to 10-12 mbar), mechanical strength, high temperature resistance and good tolerance for radiation. [1,2]
An elegant, yet simple approach consists of using scintillator crystals (YAP:Ce) installed inside UHV that are coupled through a quartz window to...
