Two scenarios of modifying the DGFRS (the Dubna Gas Filled Recoil Separator) spectrometer of rare alpha decays are under consideration. Both of them imply use of integral 1M CAMAC analogto-digital processor TekhInvest ADP-16 [1,2] as a basic unit in the spectrometer design. In scenario a) special unit (PKK-05) [3] will be used to measure horizontal position of the signal, without measuring its energy, whereas in scenario b) a complete amount (12 modules ADP-16 for 48x128 strips of DSSSD) are used to measure both energy and position signals. To measure signals of charged particles coming from cyclotron an upgraded gaseous low pressure TOF-ΔE1-ΔE2 module is used. To store TOF-ΔE1-ΔE2 information specific 1M module TekhInvest PA-3n-tof is used. First results of trial runs using the specific TekhInvest IMI-2011 pulser and test nuclear reaction natYb+48Ca Th* are presented. New algorithm to search for ER-α-α…α(SF) sequences in a real-time mode is discussed taking into account commissioning in the nearest future of the new FLNR DC-280 cyclotron that is to provide beams of very high intensity [4]. An equivalent circuit for two neighbor strips of p-n junction side is proposed. It predicts a small non-linear ballistic effect for signals originating in inter-strip p-n junction area. Additionally, authors define abstract mathematical objects, like correlation graph and incoming event matrixes of a different nature to construct in a simple form a rare event detection procedure in a more exhaustive relatively the present one, using real-time detection mode. In that case one can use every from n∙(n-1)/2 correlation graph edges are used as a “trigger” for beam irradiation pauses to provide a “background free” condition to search for ultra rare alpha decays. Here n is a correlation graph nodes number. Schematics of these algorithms are considered.
The existence of superheavy elements (SHE) was predicted in the late 1960-s as one of the
first outcomes of the macroscopic-microscopic theory of atomic nucleus. Modern theoretical
approaches confirm this concept. To date, nuclei associated with the “island of stability” can be
accessed preferentially in 48Ca-induced complete fusion nuclear reactions with actinide targets.
Successful use of these reactions was pioneered employing the Dubna Gas-Filled Recoil Separator
(DGFRS) [
The DGFRS is one of the most effective facilities in use for the synthesis of SHE. Using this
facility it has been possible to obtain more than fifty new superheavy nuclides. In long-term
experiments aimed to the synthesis of SHE one should take into account that yield of the products
under investigation is small enough, usually – one per days – one per month, thus the role of the
detection system and focal plane detector is quite significant as well as beam intensity requirements.
Since 2015, to increase the position granularity of the detectors, which reduces the probability of
observing sequences of random events that could be imitate decay chains of synthesized nuclei, the
new focal plane detector has been used. It consists of 120x60 mm2 48x128 strips Micron
Semiconductor Double Side Silicon Strip Detector (DSSSD). Design of this detector and CAMAC
spectrometer of the DGFRS are shown in the Fig.1a,b.
The detection system of the DGFRS was calibrated by registering the recoil nuclei and decays (α,
SF) of known isotopes of No and Th and their descendants produced in the reactions 206Pb(48Ca,2n)
and natYb(48Ca,3-5n), respectively. Before implantation into the focal plane detector, the separated
ERs passed through a time-of-flight (TOF) measuring system that consists of two (start and stop)
multiwire proportional chambers filled with pentane at ≈1.6 Torr [
The simple, but very effective idea of the mentioned method is as following. PC-based
Builder C++ program is aimed at searching in real-time mode of time-energy-position recoil-alpha
links, using the two matrix representation of the DSSSD detector separately for ER matrix and
αmatrix. In each case of “alpha particle” signal detection, a comparison with “recoil (ER)” matrix is
made. If the elapsed time difference between “recoil” and “alpha particle” within preset time value,
the system turns on the cyclotron beam chopper which deflects the heavy ion beam in the injection
line of the U-400 FLNR cyclotron for a definite time interval (usually 0.5-2 min). The next step of
the computer code ignores horizontal position (128 strips from p-n junction side) of the forthcoming
alpha-particle signal during the beam-off interval. If such decay taken place in the same vertical
position strip (48 strips) that generated the pause, the duration of the beam-off interval is prolonged
by a factor 5-10. The dead time of the system, associated with interrupting the beam is about 110 μs,
including linear growth chopper operation delay (~10 μs) and estimated heavy ion orbit life-time
(~60μs). In contrast to former resistive layer PIPS detector application [
New version of software, reported below, takes into account points 1 and 2.
GNS-2016 Builder C++ program package GNS-2016 Builder C++ program package has been designed to work together with new DSSSD based detection module of the DGFRS and appropriate electronics. It consists of two main parts: - ERAS-2016.exe – data taker and file writer also used to generate beam stop signal; - MONITOR-2016.exe – a visualization unit also used for exact tuning of TOF-ΔE1,2 low pressure, pentane filled module; - Some programs used for testing electronics modules are also within this package.
ERAS-2016 C++ program (ER –Alpha Sequences) is designed to provide data taking, file writing and to search for ER-α correlated sequences in a real-time mode. The block-diagram of this process and the flow chart of the program are shown in the Fig.2 a,b, respectively. Note, that beam is chopped in the cyclotron injection line, when the value of 48Ca projectile energy is small enough (48Ca beam energy is ~18 kV at the position of the beam chopper). The code brunch, that is responsible for real-time search for ER-α sequence is shown in gray in Fig.2b.
Figure 2a. Block-diagram of the process to search for ER-alpha chains and to provide beam stops.
(Pm& PS – parameter monitoring and protection system of the DGFRS)
Figure 2b. The flow chart of the ERAS C++ program. Brunch for searching for ER-alpha sequences is shown in gray in the left picture side. Calibration parameters are extracted from nat
Yb+48Ca Th* nuclear reaction (352 constants) ERAS correlation parameter list is represented below: - ER-α correlation time to provide a beam stop; - Integer value (5-20) which denotes that in the case of prolongation a beam-off interval, the pause will be a factor 5 to 20 longer; - Minimum and maximum values of ER and α-particle signals set to stop the beam and min and max value of alpha particle signal set for prolongation of beam-off interval; - Minimum and maximum values of TOF and ΔE1,2 signals measured with low pressure gaseous
TOF module.
Routines “Filter#1” and “Filter#2” shown in Fig.2b provide filtering of incoming signals according to channel number and energy, respectively. The routine “check prolongation” is active only when the beam chopper is in “switch on” state, otherwise it provides no extra operation. Distinguishing between true/false Boolean “twin signal” variable is performed by reading of the appropriate eight bits of “status” CAMAC 1M register unit. Each bit in “1” state corresponds to operation of 16input analog-to-digital converters (ADC). Additionally, ERAS program generates text file with parameters of every beam stop. It includes energy signals of recoil and alpha particle from both front and back strip of the DSSSD, elapsed time of the ER signal and time difference between alpha particle signal and ER (recoil) signal, numbers of and one bit marker (0/1) indicating simultaneous operation of two neighboring strips on p-n junction side. In 251,249Cf+48Ca reaction experiment at beam intensity ~0.7 pμA, such “double” events from DSSSD back side strips amounted to ~15.9% of total number. In this case, the program calculates actual back strip energy in the form:
Eback=aiNi + bi +ai+/-1Ni+/-1 +bi+/-1. Here, (ai,bi)-calibration constants, i=1..128.
C++ Builder MONITOR-2016 program is designed for processing of files generated by ERAS program. The program constructs spectra for each front and back strip and for ΔE and TOF signals (totally, 250 histograms). Except for building histograms, some specific spectra are built by the program. For example, it provides output files constructed as sum alpha spectra meeting a condition: a) all signals TOF=0 andΔE1,2=0; b) the same as a) condition, but additionally, single-bit flight marker is equal to zero.
This flight marker is generated if at least one signal from start or stop gaseous counter exceeds a 40-mV threshold of an one-shot unit; in this case, the latter generates 0/+5 V output TTL signal with duration about 20 μs (preamplifier response to typical ER signal is ~0.5-1 V and about ~ 50 mV for 5.5 MeV alpha particles). Of course, with low-threshold one-shot unit, certain precautions must be made in order to avoid extra suppression of true α-particle signals of implanted nuclei decays. 5. Example of application of ERAS code in the 240Pu+48Ca Fl* complete fusion nuclear reaction
In the long term 240Pu+48CaFl* experiment the beam was interrupted after the detection of
recoil signal with the expected implantation energy for Z=114 evaporation residues followed by an
α-like signal in the front detector with the energy 9.8 – 11.5 MeV, in the same (or neighbor) DSSSD
pixel. The ER energy interval was chosen to be 6 – 16 MeV. The triggering ER-α time interval was
set to 1 s. The beam off interval was set 1 min. In this time, if an α-particle with Eα 8.5 to 11.5 MeV
was registered in the same front strip as the ER signal, the beam off interval was automatically
extended to 5 min. During the experiment, two chains were detected that were attributed to Z=114
nuclei [
.
Figure 4. Two ER registered energy events of Z=114 nuclei detected in the 240Pu+48Ca reaction. Left upper corner – results of Gaussian fit of computer simulation
In a nearest future experiment we plan to apply new spectrometer version based on:
New ADP-16 CAMAC 16 in universal module, which combines properties of both shaping
amplifier, analog multiplexer and 16 in ADC for two scales (alpha particles and fission
fragments). It manufactured by “TekhInvest” of free economy zone “Dubna. Except for three
single ADCs PA-25 to measure TOF, ΔE1 and ΔE2 signals in the present spectrometer, we
shall use single 1M CAMAC unit PA-3n-TOF. Note, that ADP-16 unit has eight cells of
internal memory with time stamp. So, the sequence of 2.5-2.5-2.5-2.5-2.5-2.5-2.5-2.5 μS will
be detectable in fact, although the regular dead time per event will be estimated about ~20 µS.
To detect back side strip signals, and, therefore, horizontal position, we plan to use four
CAMAC units and one additional input register unit [
It is planned to apply a more exhaustive algorithms to suppress background products, except for ER-α chains real time mode detection. May be, ER-α-α sequence detection as a trigger to make a beam stop pause.
First tests of the described system prototype were successfully performed in 2017 year using external 5.5 MeV alpha particle source.
This paper is supported in part by the RFBR grant No. 16-52-55002 and Czech Republic Grant No.259/6 for JINR 03-5-1130-2017/2021
Together with the higher granularity advantage, using of DSSSD detector arises some local problems, the edge effect between neighbor strips on p-n junction side being one of them. With Borland’s Builder C++ GNS-2016 program package this problem was solved. The “active correlations” method was successfully applied in the 240Pu+48CaFl* experiment using DSSSD based spectrometer of the DGFRS. Measured by the DGFRS DSSSD detector, average ER’s energy is in a good agreement with the value calculated one.
For our future projects, associated with putting into operation in 2018 of a new DC-280 ultra intense FLNR cyclotron, we plan to develop more sophisticated algorithms for searching for recoilalpha or even recoil-alpha-alpha sequences in a real-time mode.
New version of nearest future experiment spectrometer prototype based on ADP-16 and Pa3n-TOF unit to measure TOF-ΔE1-ΔE2 signals to provide more effective background suppression using real-time mode is successfully tested.
Nuclear reaction nat Yb+48Ca217Th+3n is very useful for calibration procedure due to a relatively short live time of this thorium isotope. Therefore it is easy to extract ER-alpha correlated chains from the whole data flow. Additionally, this test reaction one can use to study upper described edge effect between two neighbor strips. In the Fig.5 two dimensional picture E2 = F(E1) is shown. Here E1,2 – energies for any first and second strip, respectively. It can be easily seen that the sum of E1+E2 is close enough to the alpha decay energy of 217Th isotope. In the Fig.6a the spectrum for one signal (from two) is presented. To a first approximation, small decreasing in the spectrum middle can be interpreted as a ballistic deficit
In the case of charge collection process in the inter strip area (100μm) takes place. In the Fig.6b,c 217Th recoil registered energy spectrum is shown. In the Fig.7 dependence of back strip measured alpha decay energy against the one measured with front strips is shown.
Figure 6a. Spectrum of one (from two) 217Th alpha decay signal
Below, schematics of the simplified equivalent circuit charge collection is presented (see Fig.8.) It explains effect of charge division ballistic effect observed in natYb+48Ca217Th+3n nuclear reaction as it was shown in the Fig.’s 5, 6a. In this case the equation system for charge division process will be as following: i(t) i1 (t) i2 (t) i1 (t) Q1' (t) i2 (t) Q 2' (t)
i1(t) r1
i2 (t) r2 Q2 (t)
C
Q1(TP ) Q2 (TP ) Q0
and : i(t) = F(t), 0<t <TP, where Tp is plasma time value, Q1,2- charge values collected for neighbor
strip circuits[