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http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120620133318.htm
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120620133318.htm
Soon After the Big Bang, Heavier Elements Emerge: Tin-100, a Doubly Magic
Nucleus
enlarge
This is a view of the experiment at the GSI from a perspective against the beam
direction. The fragments are stopped at the center of a "hedgehog" of 105
liquid nitrogen-cooled gamma ray detectors, where the precise time point of the
beta decay and the released decay energy are measured. (Credit: Thomas
Faestermann / TUM)
ScienceDaily (June 20, 2012) A few minutes after the Big Bang the universe
contained no other elements than hydrogen and helium. Physicists have now
succeeded in producing tin-100, a very unstable yet important element for
understanding the formation of heavier elements.
Stable tin, as we know it, comprises 112 nuclear particles -- 50 protons and
632 neutrons. The neutrons act as a kind of buffer between the electrically
repelling protons and prevent normal tin from decaying. According to the shell
model of nuclear physics, 50 is a "magic number" that gives rise to special
properties. Tin-100, with 50 protons and 50 neutrons, is "doubly magic," making
it particularly interesting for nuclear physicists.
Shooting xenon-124 ions at a sheet of beryllium, the international team headed
by physicists from the TU Muenchen, the Cluster of Excellence Origin and
Structure of the Universe and the GSI in Darmstadt succeeded in creating
tin-100 and analyzing its subsequent decay. Using specially developed particle
detectors, they were able to measure the half-life and decay energy of tin-100
and its decay products. Their experiments confirmed that tin-100 has the
fastest beta decay of all atomic nuclei, as previously predicted by theoretical
physicists.
A repeat of the experiment is slated for the near future at the RIKEN research
center in Japan. The beam intensity at RIKEN is higher in the mean time,
allowing even more precise measurements. The aim of the research work is to
improve the understanding of processes in the formation of heavy elements
during explosions on the surface of compact stars. In addition, the researchers
hope to draw conclusions on the neutrino mass from the measurements.
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Story Source:
The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Technische
Universitaet Muenchen.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further
information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
C. B. Hinke, M. Böhmer, P. Boutachkov, T. Faestermann, H. Geissel, J. Gerl,
R. Gernhäuser, M. Górska, A. Gottardo, H. Grawe, J. L. Grębosz, R.
Krücken, N. Kurz, Z. Liu, L. Maier, F. Nowacki, S. Pietri, Zs. Podolyák, K.
Sieja, K. Steiger, K. Straub, H. Weick, H.-J. Wollersheim, P. J. Woods, N.
Al-Dahan, N. Alkhomashi, A. Ataç, A. Blazhev, N. F. Braun, I. T.
Čeliković, T. Davinson, I. Dillmann, C. Domingo-Pardo, P. C.
Doornenbal, G. de France, G. F. Farrelly, F. Farinon, N. Goel, T. C. Habermann,
R. Hoischen, R. Janik, M. Karny, A. Kaşkaş, I. M. Kojouharov, Th.
Kröll, Y. Litvinov, S. Myalski, F. Nebel, S. Nishimura, C. Nociforo, J. Nyberg,
A. R. Parikh, A. Procházka, P. H. Regan, C. Rigollet, H. Schaffner, C.
Scheidenberger, S. Schwertel, P.-A. Söderström, S. J. Steer, A. Stolz, P.
Strmeň. Superallowed GamowTeller decay of the doubly magic nucleus 100Sn.
Nature, 2012; 486 (7403): 341 DOI: 10.1038/nature11116
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Technische Universitaet Muenchen (2012, June 20). Soon after the Big Bang,
heavier elements emerge: Tin-100, a doubly magic nucleus. ScienceDaily.
Retrieved June 21, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com
/releases/2012/06/120620133318.htm
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of
ScienceDaily or its staff.
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