Proton pairing correlation studies
ORAL
Abstract
A program to study proton pairing correlations in nuclei relevant for neutrinoless double $\beta$ decay has been initiated at Notre Dame. The results will complement neutron-pairing studies [S.J. Freeman, et al., Phys. Rev. C75, 05301R (2007)], helping to constrain theoretical calculations of this decay mode. High-precision measurements of the ($^3$He,n) reaction using a pulsed beam and a large neutron detector are in progress. The necessary 250 keV resolution at a neutron energy of 25 MeV is well within reach. Recent results obtained with a $^{26}$Mg target will be presented. This well-studied system serves as a calibration for measurements on $^{74,76}$Ge and other targets. Ground-state cross sections will be obtained with relative precison of $<$5\% and absolute accuracy of $<$10\%. Proton pairing vibrations (if any) will be identified and measured.
*This work was supported by the US NSF under Grant No. PHY0652591, by the US Dept. of Energy, Office of Nuclear Physics, and the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
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