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Tensor polarized deuteron capture by [sup 3]He at and above the fusion resonance region

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:7112425

The absolute differential cross section and vector and tensor analyzing powers of the [sup 3]He([rvec d],[gamma])[sup 5]Li reaction have been measured at three energies: E[sub d](lab) = 8.6 MeV, E[sub d](lab) = 0.8 MeV where the beam was stopped in the target, and E[sub d](lab) = 0.6 MeV where the beam lost 0.3 MeV in the target. Additionally, absolute cross sections were measured at E[sub d](lab) = 0.8 MeV where the beam lost 0.4 MeV in the target, and E[sub d](lab) = 0.4 MeV where the beam was stopped in the target. Transition matrix element (TME) analyses of the observables at or below E[sub d](lab) = 0.8 MeV concluded that the reaction proceeds predominantly through s-wave (E1) capture, with small admixtures of M1 or E2 radiation. While multiple TME solutions exist, multichannel Resonating Group Model calculations performed at the peak of the fusion resonance at E[sub d](lab) = 0.45 MeV unambiguously select the solution with >89% [sup 4]s[sub 3/2](E1) TME strength as the physically preferred one. In the RGM picture, the strong capture cross section in the fusion resonance region is a consequence of the tensor force, which couples the [d+[sup 3]He][sup S=3/2][sub J=3/2] channel to the [p+[sup 4]He][sup S=1/2][sub J=3/2] channel in the scattering wave function, enabling the capture reaction to proceed via the [delta]S = 0 (E1) = 8.6 MeV, a transition matrix element fit indicates that the capture cross-section strength is dominated by s-wave E1 capture with an admixture of [approximately]20% d-wave E1 capture. In an RGM calculation at this energy, a non-zero tensor force is necessary to get agreement between data and theory for the relative strengths of the TME's. As with the E[sub d](lab) = 0.45 MeV calculation, the strong [sup 4]s[sub 3/2] (E1) capture strength is due to the coupling of the [d+[sup 3]He][sup S=3/2][sub J=3/2] scattering channel to the [p+[sup 4]He][sup S=1/2][sub J=3/2] scattering channel by the tensor force.

Research Organization:
Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States)
OSTI ID:
7112425
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English