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Spin-flip and spin orbit interactions in heavy ion systems

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:5967307

The role of spin orbit forces in heavy ion reactions is not completely understood. Experimental data is scarce for these systems but the data that does exist indicates a stronger spin orbit force than predicted by the folding models. The spin-flip probability of non-spin zero projectiles is one technique used for these measurements and is often taken as a direct indicator of a spin orbit interaction. This work measures the projectile spin-flip probability for three inelastic reactions; /sup 13/C + /sup 24/Mg, E/sub cm/ = 22.7 MeV; /sup 13/C + /sup 12/C, E/sub cm/ = 17.3 MeV; and /sup 6/Li + /sup 12/C, E/sub cm/ = 15.2 MeV, all leading to the first J/sup ..pi../ = 2/sup +/ state of the target. The technique of particle-..gamma.. angular correlations was used for measuring the final state density matrix elements, of which the absolute value M = 1 magnetic substate population is equivalent to the spin-flip probability. The method was explored in detail and found to be sensitive to spin-flip probabilities smaller than 1%. The technique was also found to be a good indicator of the reaction mechanism involved. Nonzero and occasionally large spin-flip probabilities were observed in all systems, much larger than the folding model predictions. Information was obtained on the non-spin-flip density matrix elements. In the /sup 13/C + /sup 24/Mg reaction, these were found to agree with calculations when the finite size of the particle detector is included.

Research Organization:
Pennsylvania Univ., Philadelphia (USA)
OSTI ID:
5967307
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English