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1. Experimental study of the $ \gamma p \rightarrow K^{0}\Sigma^{+}$, $ \gamma n \rightarrow K^{0} \Lambda$, and $ \gamma n \rightarrow K^{0} \Sigma^{0}$ reactions at the Mainz Microtron

   https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/i2019-12924-x  

   Akondi, C. S. ; Bantawa, K. ; Manley, D. M. ; Abt, S. ; Achenbach, P. ; Afzal, F. ; Aguar-Bartolomé, P. ; Ahmed, Z. ; Annand, J. R. ; Arends, H. J. ; et al ( November 2019 , The European Physical Journal A)

   null (Ed.)

   Abstract. This work measured $ \mathrm{d}\sigma/\mathrm{d}\Omega$ d σ / d Ω for neutral kaon photoproduction reactions from threshold up to a c.m. energy of 1855MeV, focussing specifically on the $ \gamma p\rightarrow K^0\Sigma^+$ γ p → K 0 Σ + , $ \gamma n\rightarrow K^0\Lambda$ γ n → K 0 Λ , and $ \gamma n\rightarrow K^0 \Sigma^0$ γ n → K 0 Σ 0 reactions. Our results for $ \gamma n\rightarrow K^0 \Sigma^0$ γ n → K 0 Σ 0 are the first-ever measurements for that reaction. These data will provide insight into the properties of $ N^{\ast}$ N * resonances and, in particular, will lead to an improved knowledge about those states that couple only weakly to the $ \pi N$ π N channel. Integrated cross sections were extracted by fitting the differential cross sections for each reaction as a series of Legendre polynomials and our results are compared with prior experimental results and theoretical predictions. 

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2. Experimental study of the proton-transfer reaction C + H 2 + → CH + + H and its isotopic variant (D 2 + )

   https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CP04810K  

   Hillenbrand, Pierre-Michel ; Bowen, Kyle P. ; Dayou, Fabrice ; Miller, Kenneth A. ; de Ruette, Nathalie ; Urbain, Xavier ; Savin, Daniel W. ( December 2020 , Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics)

   We report absolute integral cross section (ICS) measurements using a dual-source merged-fast-beams apparatus to study the titular reactions over the relative translational energy range of E r ∼ 0.01–10 eV. We used photodetachment of C − to produce a pure beam of atomic C in the ground electronic 3 P term, with statistically populated fine-structure levels. The H 2 + and D 2 + were formed in an electron impact ionization source, with well known vibrational and rotational distributions. The experimental work is complemented by a theoretical study of the CH 2 + electronic system in the reactant and product channels, which helps to clarify the possible reaction mechanisms underlying the ICS measurements. Our measurements provide evidence that the reactions are barrierless and exoergic. They also indicate the apparent absence of an intermolecular isotope effect, to within the total experimental uncertainties. Capture models, taking into account either the charge-induced dipole interaction potential or the combined charge-quadrupole and charge-induced dipole interaction potentials, produce reaction cross sections that lie a factor of ∼4 above the experimental results. Based on our theoretical study, we hypothesize that the reaction is most likely to proceed adiabatically through the 1 4 A′ and 1 4 A′′ states of CH 2 + via the reaction C( 3 P) + H 2 + ( 2 Σ+g) → CH + ( 3 Π) + H( 2 S). We also hypothesize that at low collision energies only H 2 + ( v ≤ 2) and D 2 + ( v ≤ 3) contribute to the titular reactions, due to the onset of dissociative charge transfer for higher vibrational v levels. Incorporating these assumptions into the capture models brings them into better agreement with the experimental results. Still, for energies ≲0.1 eV where capture models are most relevant, the modified charge-induced dipole model yields reaction cross sections with an incorrect energy dependence and lying ∼10% below the experimental results. The capture cross section obtained from the combined charge-quadrupole and charge-induced dipole model better matches the measured energy dependence but lies ∼30–50% above the experimental results. These findings provide important guidance for future quasiclassical trajectory and quantum mechanical treatments of this reaction. 

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3. The 41 Ar(n,y) 42 Ar reaction

   https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202328401037  

   Sahoo, R. N. ; Paul, M. ; Köster, U. ; Scott, R. ; Tessler, M. ; Zylstra, A. ; Avila, M. L. ; Dickerson, C. ; Jayatissa, H. ; Kohen, M.S. ; et al ( January 2023 , EPJ Web of Conferences)

   Mattoon, C.M. ; Vogt, R. ; Escher, J. ; Thompson, I. (Ed.)

   The cross-section of the thermal neutron capture⁴¹Ar(n,γ)⁴²Ar(t_1/2=32.9 y) reaction was measured by irradiating a⁴⁰Ar sample at the high-flux reactor of Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) Grenoble, France. The signature of the two-neutron capture has been observed by measuring the growth curve and identifying the 1524.6 keV γ-lines of the shorter-lived⁴²K(12.4 h) β⁻daughter of⁴²Ar. Our preliminary value of the⁴¹Ar(n,γ)⁴²Ar thermal cross section is 240(80) mb at 25.3 meV. For the first time, direct counting of⁴²Ar was performed using the ultra-high sensitivity technique of noble gas accelerator mass spectrometry (NOGAMS) at Argonne National Laboratory, USA.

    

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4. Performing Bayesian Analyses With AZURE2 Using BRICK: An Application to the 7Be System

   https://doi.org/10.3389/fphy.2022.888476  

   Odell, Daniel ; Brune, Carl R. ; Phillips, Daniel R. ; deBoer, Richard James ; Paneru, Som Nath ( June 2022 , Frontiers in Physics)

   Phenomenological R -matrix has been a standard framework for the evaluation of resolved resonance cross section data in nuclear physics for many years. It is a powerful method for comparing different types of experimental nuclear data and combining the results of many different experimental measurements in order to gain a better estimation of the true underlying cross sections. Yet a practical challenge has always been the estimation of the uncertainty on both the cross sections at the energies of interest and the fit parameters, which can take the form of standard level parameters. Frequentist ( χ 2 -based) estimation has been the norm. In this work, a Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampler, emcee , has been implemented for the R -matrix code AZURE2 , creating the Bayesian R -matrix Inference Code Kit ( BRICK ). Bayesian uncertainty estimation has then been carried out for a simultaneous R -matrix fit of the 3 He ( α , γ ) 7 Be and 3 He ( α , α ) 3 He reactions in order to gain further insight into the fitting of capture and scattering data. Both data sets constrain the values of the bound state α -particle asymptotic normalization coefficients in 7 Be. The analysis highlights the need for low-energy scattering data with well-documented uncertainty information and shows how misleading results can be obtained in its absence. 

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5. Commissioning of Underground Nuclear Astrophysics Experiment JUNA in China

   https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202226008001  

   Liu, Weiping ; Li, Zhihong ; He, Jianjun ; Tang, Xiaodong ; Lian, Gang ; Su, Jun ; Shen, Yangping ; An, Zhu ; Chao, Fuqiang ; Chang, Jianjun ; et al ( January 2022 , EPJ Web of Conferences)

   Liu, W. ; Wang, Y. ; Guo, B. ; Tang, X. ; Zeng, S. (Ed.)

   Underground Nuclear Astrophysics Experiment in China (JUNA) has been commissioned by taking the advantage of the ultra-low background in Jinping underground lab. High current mA level 400 KV accelerator with an ECR source and BGO detectors were commissioned. JUNA studies directly a number of nuclear reactions important to hydrostatic stellar evolution at their relevant stellar energies. In the first quarter of 2021, JUNA performed the direct measurements of 25 Mg(p, γ ) 26 Al, 19 F(p, α ) 16 O, 13 C( α ,n) 16 O and 12 C( α , γ ) 16 O near the Gamow window. The experimental results reflect the potential of JUNA with higher statistics, precision and sensitivity of the data. The preliminary results of JUNA experiment and future plan are given. 

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