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Relevance of β-delayed neutron data for reactor, nuclear physics and astrophysics applications

  • Regular Article – Experimental Physics
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Abstract

Initially, yields (or abundances) and branching ratios of β-delayed neutrons (βdn) from fission products (Pn-values) have had their main importance in nuclear reactor control. At that time, the six-group mathematical approximation of the time-dependence of βdn-data in terms of the so-called “Keepin groups” was generally accepted. Later, with the development of high-resolution neutron spectroscopy, βdn data have provided important information on nuclear-structure properties at intermediate excitation energy in nuclei far from stability, as well as in nuclear astrophysics. In this paper, I will present some examples of the βdn-studies performed by the Kernchemie Mainz group during the past three decades. This work has been recognized as an example of “broad scientific diversity” which has led to my nomination for the 2014 Hans A. Bethe prize.

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This manuscript has no associated data or the data will not be deposited. [Authors' comment: All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.]

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Acknowledgements

I am indepted to all my former students and a large number of colleagues for their collaboration during the past four decades. In particular, I would like to mention the Mainz beta-delayed neutron group, namely O. Arndt, W. Böhmer, I. Dillmann, K. Farouqi, H. Gabelmann, O. Hallmann, M. Hannawald, T. Kautzsch, G. Lhersonneau, B. Leist, T. Mehren, H. Ohm, W. Rudolf, A. Schröder, B. Steinmüller, A. Wöhr and W. Ziegert. Most of them have collaborated closely with Franz Käppeler over the years. Among the colleagues who have been most influential for different aspects of the βdn-work discussed in this paper, I would like to thank P. Möller (LANL), F.-K. Thielemann (Basel), W. B. Walters (Maryland), M. Wiescher (Notre Dame), U. Köster (CERN, ILL Grenoble), U. Ott (Mainz), H. Schatz (Michigan State), O. Sorlin (GANIL) and M. Busso (Perugia).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Pharmacy & Geosciences, University of Mainz, D-55128, Mainz, Germany

    Karl-Ludwig Kratz

  2. Max-Planck Institute for Chemistry (Otto Hahn-Institute), D-55128, Mainz, Germany

    Karl-Ludwig Kratz

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  1. Karl-Ludwig Kratz
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Correspondence to Karl-Ludwig Kratz.

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Communicated by Nicolas Alamanos.

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Kratz, KL. Relevance of β-delayed neutron data for reactor, nuclear physics and astrophysics applications. Eur. Phys. J. A 59, 99 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/s10050-023-00971-3

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