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Resonant ionization laser ion sources are applied worldwide to increase purity and intensity of rare isotopes at radioactive ion beam facilities. Especially for heavy elements the laser wavelengths required for efficient resonant laser ionization are not only element dependent, but also vary to small degrees from isotope to isotope. Since the first operation of an actinide target at ISAC-TRIUMF in 2008, the demand for neutron-rich isotopes far away from stability has steadily increased. Those isotopes often have very low production rates so that often only a few ions per second are released. In order to study isotope shifts and hyperfine structure of silver, actinium and astatine, in-source resonant ionization spectroscopy in combination with radioactive decay detection has been applied. Despite the Doppler limited resolution, it has the advantage that it is ultra-sensitive and the atomic spectrum for the nuclear ground and isomeric states can be investigated individually. An isobaric separation has been demonstrated for 115-119Ag, where the hyperfine structure of one state showed a splitting of 22 GHz to 38 GHz while for the other state only a single peak spectrum can be resolved. For astatine and actinium, the main interest is to measure and study the optical isotope shift, which is for the first excitation step for neutron-rich isotopes in the order of IS_FES≈±3.7GHz/u for both elements, as these observables give insight into nuclear moments and shape. In addition, also the isotope shift of the second excitation step for astatine has been measured to IS_SES,At≈-1.7GHz/u. Laser spectroscopy on astatine has mainly been performed on the neutron-deficient isotopes 199,205At due to high count rates and low isobaric contamination. With the results obtained it is possible to extrapolate the required wavelength for ionizing and delivering the isotopes 221-225At which are of interest to e.g. electric dipole moment studies. / October 2017

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / It is well known, that there is a severe lack of information available pertaining to neutron rich nuclei, specifically of those nuclei with mass numbers ≥ 60. These neutron rich nuclei are not easy to access in current experimental facilities or be produced with sufficient yield to allow for it to be studied. In order to expand our understanding of nuclear physics by studying the properties and characteristics of these nuclei, the development of new facilities producing Radioactive-ion Beams (RIBs) is required. The applications for RIBs are wide, allowing for deeper investigations into the properties of nuclei, their interactions and the manner in which they were formed in the early universe. Additionally, there are various interdisciplinary fields such as medicine, biology and material science in which RIBs can be utilized as a driving mechanism for new research and technological innovation. The iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences (iThemba LABS), South Africa, has proposed a new facility for the production and acceleration of radioactive-ion beams (RIBs). The RIB Project is to be developed in sequential phases and would produce a range of neutron-rich isotopes for low-energy materials science and nuclear physics research. Of specific interest, is the production of the Helium-6 isotope (6He), for its potential applications in various areas of nuclear physics research. The aim of this research work was to design, model and optimise a RIB production target capable of producing high intensity 6He beams, guided by the characteristics of the primary proton beam available for use at iThemba LABS. This research work/design study is however limited, due to the absence of experimentally measured and verified 6He cross section data for proton induced reactions on the proposed target materials (Graphite and Boron Carbide). However, best-estimate approaches were adopted through the use of validated computer codes. Additionally, all 6He yield results are presented as in-target yields, as this study did not cover the diffusion (isotope release) efficiency of the target systems in question. Three RIB production targets types were investigated using Graphite, Boron Carbide and Beryllium Oxide as potential target materials. Following numerous optimisation processes, a Boron Carbide RIB target was converged upon, proving to be suitable for the production of high intensity 6He beams at iThemba LABS, by meeting the material thermal and mechanical limiting criteria for operation. This target system was found to produce an in-target 6He yield rate of 2 ~ 3 x 1011 6He/s, considered sufficient for experimental application at iThemba LABS.

Thesis (MTech (Environmental Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / The iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences (iThemba LABS or iTL), a facility governed by the National Research Foundation (NRF) based in Cape Town has embarked on a project called the South African Isotope Facility (SAIF). Part of the SAIF will be a project called the Low Energy Radioactive Ion Beam (LERIB) for the production of radioactive beams with the Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC). The LERIB project is anticipated to generate significant prompt sources of ionising radiation such as neutrons displaced by protons during bombardment of targets. At present, the facility has 3 - 5 m thick concrete walls designed to shield against 200 MeV neutrons. The floor thickness varies from each vault according to the behaviour and characteristics of the produced radiation. The LERIB facility concrete floor is envisioned to be 1 m thick. Insufficient floor shielding might expose the sub-surface strata below the floor with ionising radiation. Some matter in the exposed strata might undergo activation and consequently produce undesirable radioactive isotopes. Exposure to radioactive isotopes can pose potential risks to the general public and the receiving environment. In the sub-surface, the activated isotopes can spread through the soil and groundwater bodies. Groundwater being mobile in nature might act as conduit for activated isotopes to migrate in the subsurface. The half-lives of the formed radionuclides were used to estimate the distance the radionuclides can migrate in the sub-surface before decay. The X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Inductive Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) were used to quantify the mass fraction of elements from soil and groundwater samples. The Inductive Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to measure dissolved metals of major and minor oxides in groundwater samples. These scientific techniques were applied in order to measure mass fractions of elements present in the sub-surface anticipated to be exposed with neutron radiation. Results revealed that the sub-surface in the study site constitutes Si, Al, Na and Fe in abundance. This suggests that, these elements might have a high probability to undergo activation compared to those occurring at lower concentrations, such as minor and trace elements. However the neutron capture cross-section for these elements varies and hence some elements such as Si and Al were not activated. To investigate elements measured from the ICP-MS, ICP-OES and XRF which might undergo activation, soil and water samples were irradiated for an hour with neutrons from a Beryllium target from a range of 0 – 66 MeV energy. The results revealed that activating the sub-surface with neutron radiation will result to the formation of short and long-lived unstable isotopes. However, isotopes with long half-lives such as 22Na, 52Mn, 54Mn and 46Sc only occurred in soil samples and none measured from the water samples except a short-lived isotope 24Na. These results agrees with the reviewed literature that, water being a product of two hydrogens and one oxygen, with 1H from H2O considered to be a good neutron moderator should have absorbed the neutrons so as to reduce neutron capture cross-sections.

Radioactive ion beam production by Isotope Separator On Line method (ISOL) has motivated the construction of several nuclear facilities over the world. The method consists in impinging solid target material with beams of stable nucleus. Radioactive nuclei produced during the collision are stopped in the target material and must diffuse out of it as fast as possible to transform them into ions before their radioactive decay. The release time must thus be as short as possible to avoid their losses. The release of the nuclei depends on several parameters, which are related to the chemistry of the atoms in the target matrix, to the geometry and micro-structure of the target, and to its temperature. In the case of targets made of grains, we assumed that an optimum grain size of the grains existed. To make possible its easy determination, we aimed to calculate it analytically. Thus we have built a description of the propagation of the atoms in the target material, while conserving the different physico-chemical parameters and avoiding the use of adjustable parameters. The description of the propagation process will be presented as well as the assumptions. Finally, the optimum grain size will be given for the radioactive Ar atoms out of graphite.

A possible mechanism to explain the origin of around 35 neutron–deficient stable isotopes with mass A≥75 between 74 Se and 196 Hg, known as the p–nuclei is the nucleosynthesis in the proton–rich neutrino–driven winds of core–collapse supernovae via the νp–process. However this production scenario is very sensitive to the underlying supernova dynamics and the nuclear physics input. As far as nuclear uncertainties are concerned, the breakout reaction from the pp-chains, 7Be(α, γ)11C, has been identified as an important link which can influence the nuclear flow and therefore the efficiency of the νp–process. However its reaction rate is not well known over the relevant energy range (T9 = 1.5–3). In this thesis we report on the direct first measurement of two resonances of the 7Be(α, γ)11 C reaction with previously unknown strengths using an intense radioactive 7Be beam from ISAC and the DRAGON recoil separator in inverse kinematics. Since resonance strength measurements with low mass beams using recoil separators depend strongly on the recoil angular distribution, which can exceed the acceptance of the separator, we first performed a proof–of–principle test by measuring a known resonance of the 6Li(α, γ)10B reaction, which also presents a similar challenge. Our results from the 6Li(α, γ)10B reaction are in agreement with literature, showing that DRAGON can measure resonance strengths of reactions for which the maximum momentum cone of the recoils exceeds its acceptance. From the newly measured 7Be(α, γ)11C resonance strengths we calculated the new reaction rate which is lower than the current recommended by 10–50% and constrained to 5–10% in the relevant temperature region. Using this new rate, we performed detailed nucleosynthesis calculations which suggest that there is no effect the production of light p–nuclei, but a production increase for CNO elements of up to an order of magnitude is observed. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Dans les milieux astrophysiques explosifs tels que les novae ou les sursauts X, la densité d'hydrogène et la température sont suffisamment grandes pour que le temps entre deux réactions impliquant un proton soit plus court que le temps de vie de certains ions radioactifs. La connaissance de la section efficace des réactions de capture d’un proton par un ion radioactif est un des ingrédients important permettant la modélisation de tels milieux. Dans ce travail, un nouveau dispositif expérimental permettant d'étudier la force de résonance de réactions (p,gamma) en cinématique inverse est présenté. Ce dispositif, baptisé ARES (Astrophysical REcoil Separator), a été d’abord caractérisé à l'aide de l'étude de la réaction 19F(p,gamma)20Ne et plus particulièrement de la mesure de la force de la résonance bien connue à 635 keV au dessus du seuil 19F+p. De plus, la simulation de cette expérience est en accord avec les mesures effectuées. Une première mesure de force de résonance d'une réaction impliquant un faisceau d'ions radioactifs est ensuite présentée. Il s'agit de la réaction 19Ne(p,gamma)20Na et plus particulièrement de la résonance à 448 keV au dessus du seuil 19Ne+p. Une limite supérieure de 15.2 meV avec un niveau de confiance de 90% est obtenue. Cette limite supérieure améliore légèrement les résultats de mesures antérieures. / In explosive astrophysical environments such as novae or X-ray bursts, the temperature and the hydrogen density are so large that the time between two reactions involving protons is smaller than the live time of radioactive ions. The cross section of such reactions is an important ingredient of the modeling of such environments. In this work, a new experimental device, allowing the study of resonance strength of (p,gamma) reactions, is presented. This setup, called ARES (Astrophysical REcoil Separator), is first characterized using the study of the well known reaction, 19F(p,gamma)20Ne and more precisely the measurement of the resonance strength of the 635 keV level above the 19F+p threshold. The simulation of this experiment is found in good agreement with the measurement. Then the first resonance strength measurement of a reaction involving radioactive ions beams is presented, i.e. the resonance strength of the 448 keV level above the 19Ne+p threshold in the 19Ne(p,gamma)20Na reaction. An upper limit of 15.2 meV with a confidence level of 90% is obtained. This upper limit improves slightly the results of previous measurements.

The radioactive ion implantation wear measuring method (RII) has been used for many years as a tool to make highly sensitive real-time in-situ measurements of wear and corrosion in metallic or ceramic materials. The method consists of the controlled implantation of radioactive ions of limited decay time in a thin layer at the surface of the material. The progressive abrasion of the material results in a decline in radioactivity which is followed to monitor material losses. The application of RII to control the wear of polymers is potentially of interest, but it has been lagging behind because of uncertainties related to possible changes in material properties during and after the implantation, and to the exact shape of implantation profiles. In this thesis, we investigate these issues on two thermoplastic elastomers typically used for making the soles of sport shoes, among which one contains radiation-sensitive unsaturated bonds, using as ions 7Be, 7Li and Kr. The results of the sample characterisation indicate that the 7Be and 7Li implantations, under properly-selected conditions, do not induce significant modifications in the materials. The implantation of a stack of polymer thin films and the activity measurements performed to determine the implantation profile are also presented. The experimental results on the ion implantation profiles and the determination of calibration curves are presented and discussed in comparison with simulated results. The results indicate that it is possible to predict the implantation profile by means of simulations. This bodes well for the application of the RII method to polymer materials. In the last part, an experimental study is presented regarding the possible redistribution of the implanted 7Be after implantation. Since very few existing experimental techniques are able to detect light elements implanted in polymer targets at fluences less or equal to 1012 cm-2, with implantation depths of a few µm, a new method is presented, which implies the use of plasma etching techniques in order to remove layers of polymers and measuring the remaining activity after each step. Our results indicate that a redistribution of the implanted ions takes place during the implantation process, resulting in a scrambling of the initial implantation profile. Nevertheless, provided a suitable methodology be used, wear measurements in polymers by using the RII method are still possible, as we propose in the thesis.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2009. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Oct. 22, 2009). Thesis advisor: Kate Jones. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Une extension de la surface de masses atomiques dans la région A ≈ 100 est présentée par l’intermédiaire des mesures de masse des isotopes 100-102Sr et 100-102Rb. Les mesures ont été effectuées avec le spectromètre de masse ISOLTRAP constitué de différents pièges à ions. Les premières mesures directes des masses des 100-102Sr et du 100-102Rb sont rapportées ici. Ces mesures confirment la continuité de la région de déformation nucléaire avec l’augmentation du nombre de neutrons jusqu’à N = 65.De sorte à interpréter la déformation dans la chaine isotopique du strontium et à déterminer si une déformation peut apparaitre pour des isotopes de krypton plus lourds, une comparaison est faite entre les données expérimentales et des résultats de calculs théoriques disponibles dans la littérature. Pour compléter ces comparaisons, des calculs Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov pour des isotopes pairs et impairs sont aussi présentés, illustrant la compétition entre formes nucléaires dans la région.Le développement d’une source d’ions à ionisation par électro nébuliseur est présenté. Cette source peut produire un large panel de masses isobariques destinées à la calibration. La première mise en service de la source est présentée, incluant les résultats des premiers balayages en masse détectés derrière le spectromètre de masse quadripolaire. Une résolution de quelques unités de masses atomiques a été atteinte. / An extension of the atomic mass surface in the region A ≈ 100 is performed via massmeasurements of the 100-102Sr and 100-102Rb isotopes with the ion-trap mass spectrometer ISOLTRAPat CERN-ISOLDE. The first direct mass measurements of 102Sr and 101;102Rb are reported here. Thesemeasurements confirm the continuation of the region of nuclear deformation with the increase of neutronnumber, at least as far as N = 65.In order to interpret the deformation in the strontium isotopic chain and to determine whether an onsetof deformation is present in heavier krypton isotopes, a comparison is made between experimentalvalues and theoretical calculations available in the literature. To complete this comparison, Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations for even and odd isotopes are also presented, illustrating the competitionof nuclear shapes in the region.The development of an electrospray ionization ion source is presented. This source can delivera large range of isobaric masses for calibration purposes. The early commissioning of the sourceis discussed, including the results from the first mass scans detected behind the quadrupole massspectrometer. A resolution of a few atomic mass units is reached.