EURO-LABS – InTraNS Workshop 2026

2 Feb 2026, 14:00 → 5 Feb 2026, 16:30 Europe/Rome

Sala Villi (INFN - Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro)

Silvia M. Lenzi (Università degli Studi di Padova & INFN Sezione di Padova, Italy)

 

INTRANS (Instrumentation and Training for Nuclear Spectroscopy and Reaction Dynamics Service) promotes the coordination between the research infrastructures and research groups involved in nuclear spectroscopy and reaction studies, for improving frontline research on a broad European scale.

The aim of the EURO-LABS INTRANS Workshop 2026 is to present the status of nuclear research using gamma-ray detectors in Europe, to discuss its perspectives and promote synergies.

Sessions will be dedicated to the presentation of the latest results obtained at international gamma-ray facilities, of recent theoretical studies and to the discussion on the challenges of future research, experimental campaigns and technical developments.

Review talks will be followed by shorter contributions on physics highlights selected from submitted abstracts.

Young researchers are strongly encouraged to submit abstracts. 

Funds are available to support travel expenses to a limited number of participants. Those interested should send an email justifying the request to intrans@lnl.infn.it.

Important information:

the registration to the Workshop will start on Monday February 2nd at 14:00.

For those of you that will arrive for lunch there is a reservation starting at 13:15 in the canteen. 

A welcome cocktail will take place on Monday evening, after the last session.

Please note that the social dinner will take place on Wednesday February 4th. There will be e bus transfer to the restaurant from LNL and back to Padova. 

 

 

WARNING: some participants have received a personalized email requesting travel information for reserving accommodation for this INTRANS Workshop: Please be aware, this has nothing to do with us.

If you need accommodation, you can follow the Accommodation link in the dedicated page at the Indico website for this Workshop

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INTRANS'26_1st-circular_updated.pdf

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Monday 2 February

14:00 → 14:30 Registration

14:30 → 14:45 Welcome

14:45 → 16:15 Monday 1

Convener: Araceli Lopez-Martens (IJCLAB)

14:45 Highlights from INFN-LNL, the Status and the Future plans of the SPES project

INFN-LNL is a large scale facility that offers for users access to up to 5 accelerators covering a large range of ions ( from proton to Uranium) and a large range of energy (few hundreds of KeV to few Tens of MeV per nucleon). The flagship project of LNL is SPES (Selective Production of Exotic Species) that aims at the realization of an accelerator facility for research in the fields of Fundamental Physics and Interdisciplinary Physics usings ISOL (Isotope Separation On Line) type of rare isotopes. SPES aims also at building a facility that will be dedicated to Research and Development of innovative radioisotopes for medical diagnostics and therapies.

In my talk the status and future plans of the SPES project as well as some highlights from LNL will be presented.

Speaker: Faical Azaiez (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

15:15 Nuclear structure studies with AGATA at LNL

Speaker: Alain Goasduff (INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro)

15:45 Collectivity in iron isotopes

In a series of experiments conducted over the past few years, we have explored questions of collectivity and nuclear shape in iron isotopes on the neutron-rich side of the valley of stability.

A Coulomb excitation experiment at the ALTO facility aimed to determine a large set of E2 matrix elements to address two key questions: Why is the measured B(E2; 4+1 → 2+1 ) value significantly higher than predicted by otherwise reliable calculations (e.g., [1])? What is the "shape" of 58Fe? Our motivation was also partly driven by the observation in Figure 1 that the second 2+ state lies below the first 4+ state in 58Fe, hinting at possible triaxial deformation. In the experiment a beam of 58Fe was acceleratedto 220 MeV and directed at a 2 mg/cm2 self-supporting 208Pb target. Recoiling nuclei were detected at backward angles in the laboratory frame using the HIL-Warsaw DSSSD detector, in coincidence with γ rays measured by the NuBall2 γ-ray spectrometer. The extracted γ-ray intensities are currently being analyzed using the GOSIA code.

Carpenter et al. [2] proposed a scenario for shape coexistence in iron isotopes, based on the moments of inertia of yrast bands and the identification of two similar structures—one of which decreases in energy
with increasing neutron number. In Figure 1 it is shown how the energy of the 0+2 state is decreasing in energy with the neutron number. This suggests that an excited 0+ state in 60Fe may be the deformed state that becomes the ground state in the second island of inversion. To explore this hypothesis, we performed an experiment at INFN Legnaro to measure the lifetimes of excited 0+ states in 60Fe. An 18O beam, accelerated to 40 MeV, bombarded a 58Fe target mounted in a plunger device. Recoiling 60Fe ions were stopped in a gold foil, while 16O ions were detected using the Spider silicon detector in coincidence with γ rays recorded by AGATA.

Figure 1: Energy-level systematics in iron isotopes showing the lowering of the 02 state. Also visbile is the low 2+2 in 58Fe, giving a hint of triaxial deformation.

In this presentation, we will discuss the first results of these experiments and provide an update on
the status of the analysis.

References
[1] M. Klintefjord et al, Measurement of lifetimes in 62,64Fe,61,63 Co, and 59Mn, Phys. Rev. C 95 (2017)
024312. doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.95.024312.
URL http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevC.95.024312

[2] M. P. Carpenter, R. V. F. Janssens and S. Zhu, Shape coexistence in neutron-rich nuclei near n = 40,
Phys. Rev. C 87 (2013) 041305. doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.87.041305.
URL http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevC.87.041305

Speaker: Dr Joa Ljungvall (IPHC)

intrans2026PresJL.pdf

16:15 → 16:45 Coffee Break

16:45 → 18:15 Monday 2

Convener: Daniele Mengoni (Dip. di Fisica e Astronomia, Univ. di Padova, and INFN-PD)

16:45 Isospin Symmetric Island of inversion at the N=Z line

The development of collectivity along the N = Z is one of the subjects that has recently attracted great experimental efforts. In particular, heavy N = Z nuclei in the mass region A = 80 are expected to be some of the most deformed ground states which have been found [1] in mid-mass nuclei, typically 8p−8h, 12p−12h for e.g. the cases of $^{76}$Sr, $^{80}$Zr. This strong enhancement of collectivity with respect to lighter N=Z nuclei has its origin in cross shell excitations across the N=40 shell gap to g9/2, d5/2 and s1/2 which are intruder quadrupole partners generating deformations. These structures can be interpreted in terms of algebraic Nilsson-SU3 self-consistent model to describe the intruder relative evolution in the vicinity of $^{80}$Zr[2]. In this presentation, we will expose some of the latest developments in microscopic nuclear structure calculations for exotic nuclei far from stabilitity at the N=Z line[3]. The new theoretical calculations for the very region of $^{80}$Zr will be presented for the first time within the interacting shell model framework using an enlarged model space outside a $^{56}$Ni core comprising the pseudo-SU3 p3/2 f5/2 p1/2 and quasi-SU3 g9/2 d5/2 s1/2 orbitals for both protons and neutrons. We will present and compare results from both exact Shell Model diagonalization [4] and our newly developed DNO Shell Model approach employing beyond mean field techniques[5,6].
These theoretical calculations allow a very good description of the rapid transition (A = 60 − 100) from spherical to deformed structures which can be intepreted in terms of “simple” many particles - many holes configurations. The whole Island of Collectivity in the region defines an Island of Inversion for proton-rich nuclei and the sudden shape change recently observed between $^{84}$Mo and $^{86}$Mo-$^{88}$Ru is interpreted as an effect on the N=50 gap induced by the addition of the two neutrons, a fingerprint of three-body forces[7,8].

[1] R. D. O. Llewellyn et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 152501 (2020).
[2] A. P. Zuker et al., Phys. Rev. C 92, 024320 (2015)
[3] D. D. Dao, F. Nowacki, A. Poves in preparation
[4] E. Caurier, G. Martínez-Pinedo, F. Nowacki, A. Poves, and A. P. Zuker, Rev. Mod. Phys. 77, 427 (2005)
[5] D. D. Dao and F. Nowacki, Phys. Rev. C 105, 054314 (2022)
[6] D. D. Dao and F. Nowacki, EPJ Web Conf. 342, 01009 (2025)
[7] J. Ha et al., Nature Communications 16, 10631 (2025)
[8] M. Bentley et al., submitted to Physical Review

Speaker: Frédéric Nowacki

Nowacki-Intrans26.pdf

17:15 Spectroscopy and lifetime measurements towards the N=20 Island of Inversion via 26Mg(238U,x) using AGATA-PRISMA

We present recent AGATA-PRISMA results obtained at Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro to study the transition into the N = 20 Island of Inversion by multi-nucleon transfer reactions induced by 22Ne and 26Mg beams impinging on a 238U target. The experiment aims at exploring the boundaries of the Island of Inversion, following the evolution of negative parity states from the fp shell, locating excited intruder configurations and tracking the development of quadrupole and octupole collectivity toward N = 20. This study is primarily focused on the spectroscopy of Ne and Mg isotopes with neutron number N = 10−20 to benchmark state-of-the-art nuclear structure theories. The experimental setup, comprising the AGATA γ array coupled to the PRISMA magnetic spectrometer, allowed us to detect and identify the ions of interest and measure, in coincidence, γ rays from excited states. Preliminary results and future perspectives will be discussed.

Speaker: Floris Drent

InTrans2026_FD.odp

17:30 Probing nucleon-nucleon correlations in the 48Ca + 208Pb system below the Coulomb barrier

In nuclear structure studies, the nucleon-nucleon correlations are known to play a crucial role in determining the low-energy spectra and ground-state properties of nuclei.
Heavy ion reactions are considered a promising tool for investigating such correlations, as they allow for the exchange of multiple nucleon pairs, both neutrons and protons, among the reaction partners [1-6].
We will present preliminary results of the data analysis from an experiment conducted in March 2023 at LNL using the PRISMA + AGATA set-up, which aims to probe nucleon-nucleon correlations in the $^{48}$Ca + $^{208}$Pb, measuring the transfer probabilities for multi-neutron and multi-proton transfer channels at energies close to and below the Coulomb barrier.
The experiment was carried out in inverse kinematics, using a $^{208}$Pb beam directed at a $^{48}$Ca target, employing the superconducting PIAVE-ALPI accelerator complex.
In this selected system, both neutron and proton stripping and pick-up processes are open, providing the opportunity to investigate nucleon-nucleon correlations simultaneously for a complete set of transfer channels.
The PRISMA magnetic spectrometer [7] was used to identify the light reaction products with excellent charge and mass resolution, allowing for the clear separation of multiple transfer channels.
Up to five proton pick-up channels were observed, as well as proton stripping up to two.
The Q-value distribution for the different transfer channels displays, at least for a few neutron transfers, a well-defined peak centred around the ground-to-ground-state transitions, as expected in a regime where quasi-elastic processes are dominant.
As more nucleons are transferred, a tail toward larger energy losses starts to develop, indicating that secondary processes may contribute.
For all channels, AGATA [8] will provide crucial information about the populated excited states and will allow to extract both the intensities of these excited states and, using also the information measured with PRISMA, the intensities of the ground-state populations.

[1] R. A. Broglia and A. Winther, Heavy Ion Reactions (Addison-Wesley, Redwood City, CA, 1991).

[2] R. A. Broglia and V. Zelevinsky, Fifty Years of Nuclear BCS—Pairing in Finite Systems (World Scientific, Singapore,2013).

[3] D. Montanari et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113 (2014) 052501.

[4] D. Montanari et al., Phys. Rev. C 93 (2016) 054623.

[5] L. Corradi et al., Phys. Lett. B 834 (2022) 137477.

[6] S. Szilner, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 133 (2024) 202501.

[7] A. M. Stefanini, et al., Nucl. Phys. A701, 217c (2002).

[8] J.J. Valiente-Dobón et al., Nuc. Instr. Meth. A1049, 168040 (2023)

Speaker: Mirco Del Fabbro (Ruđer Bošković Institute)

intrans_presentation_Mirco_Del_Fabbro.pdf

17:45 10C Superallowed Beta Decay Measurement with AGATA: CKM Matrix Unitarity Test

The CKM matrix, associated with quark mixing, is expected to be unitary within the framework of the Standard Model. Therefore, a precise test of the CKM matrix unitarity is one of the precision frontiers in the search for physics beyond the Standard Model. The element $V_{ud}$, which dominates the first-column unitarity condition, can be precisely determined from superallowed beta decay. Recently, theoretical uncertainty in $V_{ud}$ has been reduced, providing motivation to further improve from the experimental side. The superallowed beta-decay of $^{10}$C has shown a slight deviation from the averaged $Ft$ (corrected $ft$) value. Furthermore, the fact that $^{10}$C superallowed beta-decay has the largest impact to the scalar current search motivates a new high-precision measurement.

We performed a series of experiments, EXP.22.72, EXP.24.012, EXP.24.044 at INFN-LNL using the AGATA HPGe tracking array, aimed at remeasuring the superallowed beta-decay branching ratio of $^{10}$C. In the experiments, we used (p,n) and (p,p$'$) reactions induced by proton beams with energies between 8 and 10~MeV accelerated from the INFN-LNL Tandem on a 1~mg/cm$^{2}$ thick $^{10}$B target. AGATA was employed to measure the gamma rays from the reactions. As a preliminary result for the first experiment, EXP.22.72, we obtained the half-life for the $^{10}$C superallowed beta decay, which shows consistency with the reference value. Moreover, the analysis of the branching ratio for the dataset of EXP.22.72 and EXP.24.044 is in progress. I will present some preliminary results of the experiments and discuss future perspectives.

Speaker: Yonghyun Son

InTranNS_YSon.pdf

18:15 → 19:15 Welcome cocktail

Tuesday 3 February

09:00 → 11:00 Tuesday 1

Convener: Andrew Boston (University of Liverpool)

09:00 Status of the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking Array

The Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking Array (GRETA) Project started in 2017, following nearly a decade of successful science with the predecessor GRETINA array. Led by the Nuclear Science Division at LBNL, and with a team including scientists, engineers and technical staff from NSD, Engineering, and ESnet, as well as from partner institutions ANL, ORNL and FRIB, GRETA recently completed the CD-E-4A milestone, marking the completion of construction and initial commissioning of all technical systems (mechanical, electronics and computing) with a subset of Quad Detector modules. It is currently being installed at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), with first science measurements expected at the end of 2026. I will review the GRETA project, both scientific and technical aspects, and the progression toward anticipated first science at FRIB.

Speaker: Heather Crawford (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

InTraNS26-GRETA-Crawford.pdf

InTraNS26-GRETA-Crawford.pptx

09:30 GRETINA/GRETA at ANL

High-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors have long been at the heart of powerful γ-ray spectrometers dedicated to unraveling the complex structure of the atomic nucleus. Recent advances in detector technology, data acquisition, and digital signal processing have refined γ-ray detection techniques, enabling the extraction of precise position information from the pulse shapes of semiconductor detectors.
Electrical segmentation of HPGe crystals improves angular granularity and position sensitivity while allowing the reconstruction of individual γ-ray interaction points through the analysis of signals induced in neighboring segments. These technological developments have led to the construction of new-generation γ-ray tracking arrays—such as GRETINA/GRETA in the U.S. and AGATA in Europe— which are now being employed at major facilities worldwide to exploit their full experimental potential.

In 2024–2025, the fourth and final GRETINA campaign took place at Argonne National Laboratory. During this period, GRETINA was coupled to three complementary setups: the Fragment Mass Analyzer (FMA) for fusion-evaporation studies of exotic nuclei, the Oak Ridge Rutgers University Barrel Array (ORRUBA) for direct-reaction measurements, and the Compact Heavy Ion COunter (CHICO-X) for Coulomb-excitation experiments. This one-year campaign comprised 29 experiments, making it the most extensive and
demanding series ever conducted at ATLAS. In October 2025, GRETINA was transferred back to FRIB to begin its upgrade into GRETA.

In this presentation, I will report on the fourth GRETINA experimental campaign at ATLAS, highlighting key examples of the physics investigated, and will outline the ongoing upgrade toward GRETA and its prospective future deployment at ATLAS.

This research was partially supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Nuclear Physics, under contract number DE-AC02-06CH11357. This study used resources of ANL’s ATLAS facility, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility.

Speaker: Dr Marco Siciliano (Argonne National Laboratory)

Siciliano_GRETINA at ANL.pdf

10:00 Recent Results with the FDSi at FRIB and the new GROVER Detector

A brief overview of recent results from the FRIB Decay Station initiator (FDSi) will be presented. An emphasis will be placed on new gamma-decaying isomers discovered between N=20 and 40. These isomers provide highly constrained structure possibilities for each region and important landmarks for future exotic beam studies. Implications for 60Ca and the N=40 gap size will be discussed. Finally, a brief overview of the new DEGA-FDS prototype, GROVER, will be presented. The new detector houses four p-type point-contact HPGe crystals in a single cryostat, combining design elements from both LEGEND and GRETA.

*This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Nuclear Physics.

Speaker: James M. Allmond (ORNL, USA)

10:30 Miniball - a versatile HPGe spectrometer at HIE-ISOLDE

Miniball consists of 24 6-fold-segmented HPGe detectors, individually encapsulated in vacuum-tight containers [1]. The detectors are arranged in eight triple-clusters allowing for a great flexibility of the set-up. The HPGe array is complemented by Si detectors for light (T-REX) or heavy ions (CD, C-REX) as well as optionally for conversion electrons (SPEDE).

Miniball is mainly operated at ISOLDE (CERN) making use of the world-wide unique variety of post-accelerated radioactive beams provided since 10 years with energies up to 10 MeV/u by the HIE-ISOLDE facility [2], the successor of REX-ISOLDE which started in 2002. The physics programme employs high-resolution spectroscopy following a range of reaction types like Coulomb excitation, nucleon-transfer, and incomplete fusion.

In the last years, an upgrade programme has been started with new cryostats and a new digital data acquisition system as first steps. In 2025, a new plunger device was the newest addition allowing for direct lifetime measurements.

The status of the set-up, recent highlights from the programme performed at HIE-ISOLDE, and the prospects towards future upgrades is presented.

[1] N. Warr et al., Eur. Phys. J. A 49, 40 (2013)
[2] https://home.cern/news/news/accelerators/hie-isolde-10-years-10-highlights

Speaker: Thorsten Kröll (TU Darmstadt)

INTRANS_ThKroell_20260202.pdf

11:00 → 11:30 Coffee break

11:30 → 13:15 Tuesday 2

Convener: Magdalena Gorska (GSI Darmstadt)

11:30 DESPEC Phase-0 campaign at GSI: highlights from recent experiments

The HISPEC-DESPEC collaboration, part of the NUSTAR (NUclear STructure, Astrophysics and Reactions) FAIR pillar, aims at studying exotic nuclear structure phenomena with high-resolution in-flight spectroscopy (HISPEC) and stopped-beam experiments (DESPEC).

In recent years, the experimental activity of the collaboration has been focussed on decay studies, where secondary beams produced in projectile fragmentation reactions are selected and identified by the FRS fragment separator. The ions of interest are implanted in the DESPEC setup, composed of a suite of state-of-the-art detectors designed to provide spectroscopic information on exotic nuclei following isomeric and/or $\beta$ decay. With the advent of the new Super-FRS and high energy, high intensity beams provided by the new SIS-100 accelerators will allow to reach out to the most exotic species.

Highlights from recent experiments of the FAIR Phase-0 will be reported on and future perspectives at the Super-FRS will be discussed.

Speaker: Marta Polettini (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research in Europe GmbH (FAIR GmbH))

INTRANS_MP.pdf

12:00 Recent results on the double gamma decay and beyond

The nuclear two-photon or double-gamma (2γ) decay is a second-order electromagnetic decay process whereby a nucleus in an excited state emits two gamma rays simultaneously. Compared to first-order decay pathways, such as single photon emission or internal conversion, the two-photon decay branch is very small. Ideal cases for this search are 0$^+$ → 0$^+$ transitions, where single photon emission is prohibited. So far this decay was only observed in $^{16}$O, $^{40}$Ca and $^{90}$Zr, where the high transition energy is favourable for the 2γ branch.

At lower energies the 2γ branch becomes prohibitively small for direct γ-ray spectroscopy (10$^{-6-7}$). We have therefore combined Schottky + Isochronous Mass Spectrometry (S+IMS) at the Experimental Storage Ring at GSI. This novel technique allowed us to conduct measurements on the isolated nuclear two-photon decay of the 0$^{+}$ isomers in $^{72}$Ge. $^{98}$Mo and $^{98}$Zr. The branching ratio of $\sim$10$^{-5}$ measured in the case of $^{72}$Ge should also enable direct observation of the γ rays, and initial experiments have been carried out. The obtained mass resolving power will also enable future experiments on nuclear isomers with excitation energies down to ∼100 keV and half-lives as short as ∼1ms.

Speaker: Wolfram Korten

12:30 Neutron knockout from titanium isotopes near the new magic numbers N=32,34

The evolution of nucleon orbitals and arising nuclear properties moving away from the well-established magic numbers are important questions in nuclear structure. Doubly-magic nuclei beyond the classic shell model have been demonstrated at N=32 and N=34 in calcium (Z=20), however evidence for the persistence of these magic neutron numbers beyond calcium remains somewhat elusive. We are interested in probing the development of the neutron orbitals in this vicinity of the nuclide chart to understand how these magic numbers arise and whether they exist in the neighbouring isotones.
The RIBF142 experiment at Riken was a part of the HiCARI campaign, with a fragment beam centred on $^{56,58}$Ti in the BigRIPS and ZeroDegree spectrometers. The combination of the HiCARI gamma array with the BigRIPS and ZeroDegree beamline ion detectors facilitates a suite of techniques to probe many aspects of the structure of neutron-rich Titanium isotopes (Z=22). We employ standard gamma-ray spectroscopy, as well as Doppler-shift lifetime measurements supported by a Geant4 simulation. We also measure parallel momentum distributions following neutron knockout to directly probe the occupation of neutron orbitals around N=32,34.

Speaker: Martha Reece (GSI)

12:45 Vibrations, rotations and single-particle excitations in Dy-168

The neutron-rich rare-earth isotopes pose a challenge for both experimentalists trying to produce and measure them, as well as for the theorists trying to describe them due to their large valence spaces. Towards the double mid-shell at $Z=66$ and $N=104$, we find some of the most well-deformed isotopes between the $^{132}$Sn and $^{208}$Pb shell closures, as evidenced by their low $2^+$ excitation energies $E(2^+)$ [1]. Detailed studies reveal a more complicated evolution with proton and neutron numbers, however, where local minima at $N = 98$ in Dy, Gd and Sm have been ascribed to a "deformed shell-gap" at $N=98$ [2], stabilizing the deformation. Later, evidence from measurements of $\beta$ decays of $^{160,162}$Eu was used to point to a shell gap at $N=100$ to describe the $E(2^+)$ features [3]. Recent progress in configuration mixing calculations are also advancing in the region and proposing alternative views on traditional pictures of shapes and deformations in the region [4]. Spectroscopy on these nuclei is therefore critical to provide input to theoretical ventures and to explain phenomena in the region, where rotational-, vibrational- and single-particle-like states all appear at low excitation energies.

As an effort to study the nuclear structure in this region, we performed the first ever projectile fragmentation of $^{170}$Er with an energy of $1\mathrm{GeV/u}$ at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH in Darmstadt, Germany. The subsequent reaction products were cleanly separated and identified on an ion-by-ion basis using the GSI Fragment Separator before being implanted in the decay spectroscopy setup of the DESPEC collaboration [5]. The combination of HPGe, LaBr$_3$ and DSSD detectors allowed us to access significant spectroscopic information of the delayed decays of the exotic ions that were produced.

This contribution will focus on the isotope $^{168}$Dy where the significant gain in statistics compared to earlier works allow for a new view of its nuclear structure in terms of both single-particle and vibrational excitations.

[1] A. Bohr and B. Mottelson, Nuclear structure volume 2: Nuclear deformations (World Scientific Publishing, New York,
1975).
[2] Z. Patel et al., PRL 113, 262502 (2014).
[3] D. Hartley et al., PRL 120, 182502 (2018).
[4] T. Otsuka et al., EPJ A 61, 126 (2025).
[5] A. Mistry et al., NIM A 1033, 166662 (2022).

Speaker: Johan Emil Linnestad Larsson (TU Darmstadt)

13:00 The vanishing neutron 11/2-[505] ``flying fish'' extruder orbital

The $\nu11/2^{-}[505]$ orbital that extends from below the $N = 82$ shell-closure, dubbed the ``flying fish'', has been described as pivotal in contributing to the deformation in the neutron-rich rare-earth nuclei [1]. The flying fish leaps up towards the Fermi surface with increasing deformation and neutron number and then flops back into the Fermi sea as the neutron number further increases. The sudden onset of deformation in the mass $A \sim 150$ region has been attributed to the interplay between the spherical-driving extruder ($\textit{h}_{11/2}$) orbital and deformation-driving intruder orbital(s) ($\textit{i}_{13/2}$), this provides a natural scenario for shape coexistence phenomena [2].

A beam of $^{170}$Er was fragmented at $1.08 \, \mathrm{GeV/u}$ on a $6 \, \mathrm{g/cm}^{2}$ $^{9}$Be target for the first time at GSI in the spring of 2024 as part of the FAIR Phase-0 experimental campaign. The fragmentation products from the target were separated and identified with the GSI Fragment Separator and transported to the final detection focal plane, which were stopped in the DEPSEC hybrid decay spectroscopy setup [3]. The DESPEC hybrid setup allows the simultaneous spectroscopy of level structure information from a suite of 12 high-purity germanium triple-cluster detectors (DEGAS) and lifetime measurements from 36 LaBr$_{3}$ (FATIMA) detectors.

Our new results on the spectroscopy of $^{157}$Sm and $^{159}$Sm provide us an insight into evolving single-particle structures and their interaction with collective phenomena along the odd$-N$ Sm ($Z = 62$) isotopic chain. These results indicate a vanishing role of the $\nu11/2^{-}[505]$ in the low-lying level structure between $^{157}$Sm and $^{159}$Sm, as similarly observed at different neutron number in the isotopic chains of Gd, Dy and Er.

---

[1] J. F. Sharpey-Schafer et al., EPJ A 55, 15 (2019).
[2] P. Kleinheinz et al., PRL 32, 68 (1974).
[3] A. Mistry et al., NIM A 1033, 166662 (2022).

Speaker: Jeroen Peter Bormans

Intrans2026_JBormans(1).pptx

13:15 → 14:45 Lunch @LNL canteen

14:45 → 16:15 Tuesday 3

Convener: Franco Galtarossa (Dip. di Fisica e Astronomia, Univ. di Padova, and INFN-PD)

14:45 Recent highlights and future prospects of gamma-ray spectroscopy experiments at the RIBF

In-beam γ-ray spectroscopy with fast radioactive beams is a powerful approach for exploring nuclear structure far from stability, particularly at high-intensity rare-isotope facilities such as RIKEN’s Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory (RIBF). Using the high-efficiency DALI2+ array, we have investigated nuclear collectivity across several key regions of the nuclear chart employing inelastic scattering, quasi-free scattering, and nucleon knockout reactions. These studies have yielded a number of notable results, including enhanced deformation in the island of inversion around 32Mg, evidence for mirror symmetry in proton-rich krypton isotopes, and systematic investigations of collectivity in the vicinity of the doubly magic nuclei 100Sn and 132Sn. More recently, we have extended these measurements to the calcium isotopes near the proposed new magic numbers N = 32 and 34.

For experiments requiring higher gamma-ray energy resolution, we have employed the high-purity germanium array HiCARI. Using inelastic scattering and Doppler-corrected line-shape analyses, we have studied quadrupole deformation in neutron-rich Ge, Se, Mo, and Zr isotopes, providing complementary and more detailed insights into collective phenomena.

Looking ahead, we are developing HYPATIA, a next-generation in-beam γ-ray spectrometer based on fast scintillators (GAGG and CeBr3), designed to combine high efficiency, fast timing, and good energy resolution. HYPATIA will gradually replace DALI2, offering increased granularity, improved timing performance, and enhanced efficiency, thereby significantly extending the reach of in-beam spectroscopy at the RIBF.

In this presentation, I will give an overview of these ongoing activities, highlight selected recent results, and outline future directions of our in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy program.

Speaker: Pieter Doornenbal (RIKEN)

15:15 Discrete Non-Orthogonal Shell Model for nuclear structure far from stability

We present an extension of the Discrete Non-Orthogonal Shell Model [1, 2] within a Variation After Projection approach [3] recently developed at IPHC, Strasbourg. This method is an alternative to the exact shell-model diagonalization [4] using non-orthogonal many-body expansions combined with symmetry restoration techniques [5]. We discuss the prospective of the new method for applications in different regions from mid-mass to superheavy nuclei [6].

[1] D. D. Dao and F. Nowacki, Phys. Rev. C 105, 054314 (2022).
[2] A. Gade et al., Nat. Phys. 21, 37 (2025).
[3] D. D. Dao and F. Nowacki, arXiv:2507.09073 [nucl-th].
[4] E. Caurier, G. Martinez-Pinedo, F. Nowacki, A. Poves and A. P. Zuker, Rev. Mod. Phys. 77, 427 (2005).
[5] J. A. Sheikh, J. Dobaczewski, P. Ring, L. M. Robledo and C. Yannouleas, J. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phys. 48, 123001 (2021).
[6] D. D. Dao and F. Nowacki, arXiv:2409.08210 [nucl-th].

Speaker: Duy-Duc Dao

DaoDuyDuc_Intrans2026.pdf

15:30 Abrupt structural transition in 84Mo and 86Mo: an Isospin-Symmetric Island of Inversion

The shell structure of nuclei has served as a backbone of nuclear theory. A large energy gap with the completely filled spherical orbitals defines shell closure and magic number. One of the intriguing experimental findings is disappearance of the “normal” filling at certain N or Z, which is not predicted from the classical shell model [1]. This Island of Inversion (IOI) has been successfully explained through the shell model with variants of dynamical SU(3) symmetry [2]. The present work focused on the N = Z nucleus $^{84}$Mo in which we probed unexpected large deformation.
The experiment was conducted at the NSCL (now FRIB), Michigan State University. A 140-MeV/u $^{92}$Mo beam impinged to a 235-mg/cm$^{2}$ $^{9}$Be target to produce an $^{86}$Mo secondary beam. The HPGe tracking array GRETINA and the TRIPLEX plunger [3] were used to measure the lifetime of the first $2^+$ state. The extracted B(E2; $2_1^+ \rightarrow 0_1^+$) shows a significant difference between $^{84}$Mo and $^{86}$Mo. Interestingly, it departs from a similar B(E2; $2_1^+ \rightarrow 0_1^+$) trend of other N = Z and N = Z + 2 nuclides. We employed the DNO-SM [4] and other theoretical approaches to explain the difference of the B(E2; $2_1^+ \rightarrow 0_1^+$) values. The study revealed that an abrupt change of B(E2; $2_1^+ \rightarrow 0_1^+$) between $^{84}$Mo and $^{86}$Mo is attributed to an increase of the energy gap between the $g_{9/2}$ and $d_{5/2}$ orbitals, leading to different particle-hole configurations. The experimental finding and the interpretation demarcate an Isospin-symmetric IOI lying on the N = Z line for the first time.

References
[1] F. Nowacki, A. Obertelli and A. Poves, Prog. Part. Nucl. Phys. 120, 103866 (2021).
[2] S. M. Lenzi, F. Nowacki, A. Poves and K. Sieja, Phys. Rev. C 82, 054301 (2010).
[3] H. Iwasaki et al., Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A 806, 123 (2016).
[4] D. D. Dao and F. Nowacki, Phys. Rev. C 105, 054314 (2022).

Speaker: Mr Jeongsu Ha (Center for Exotic Nuclear Studies, IBS)

15:45 Nuclear moments studies through gamma-ray detection – recent results and future prospects

The study of nuclear moments of short-lived excited states – spanning lifetimes from the microsecond to the picosecond range – relies on the observation of the nuclear spin precession in external electromagnetic fields. Such measurements are performed through time-dependent monitoring of the angular distribution of emitted gamma rays, detected using high-resolution germanium or fast scintillator detector systems.

This contribution will present a concise overview of current experimental approaches, including:
i) Time Dependent Perturbed Angular Distribution (TDPAD) for microsecond isomers produced in projectile-fragmentation reactions; ii) Time Dependent Recoil In Vacuum (TDRIV) for picosecond states; and iii) Time Dependent Perturbed Angular Correlation (TDPAC), a technique expected to be able to cover the intermediate lifetime range – from a few hundred nanoseconds down to ~1 ns – with applicability at both fragmentation and ISOL facilities.

Some highlights from studies in the $^{68}Ni$ region (MSU), the $^{132}Sn$ region (RIBF, RIKEN), and the $^{208}Pb$ region (IFIN-HH) will be presented. The prospects for implementing TDPAC in future ISOL-based nuclear-moment investigations will be discussed.

Speaker: Georgi Georgiev (IJCLab, Orsay, France)

16:15 → 16:45 Coffee break

16:45 → 18:15 Tuesday 4

Convener: Francesco Recchia (Dip. di Fisica e Astronomia, Univ. di Padova, and INFN-PD)

16:45 Studies of nuclear symmetries and shapes with the JUROGAM 3 spectrometer

The nuclear spectroscopy program at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä has for decades relied on combining a germanium-detector array with a recoil separator, enabling the use of the highly sensitive recoil-gating and recoil-decay tagging techniques. Since 2019, the JUROGAM 3 spectrometer [1] has been operated together with the vacuum-mode MARA and gas-filled RITU separators in numerous experiments addressing a variety of physics cases. The success of the experimental program is demonstrated by our recent results on nuclei near the N=Z line [2,3], as well as in the lead region, where complementary measurements indicate the existence of three different deformations near the ground state [4]. In this presentation these recent highlights are discussed, along with ongoing and future gamma-ray spectroscopy studies of the neutron-deficient nuclei in the A=30-50 mass region.

[1] J. Pakarinen, J. Ojala, P. Ruotsalainen et al., Eur. Phys. J. A 56, 149 (2020).
[2] K. Wimmer, P. Ruotsalainen, S. Lenzi et al., Phys. Lett. B 847, 138249 (2023).
[3] G. L. Zimba, P. Ruotsalainen, D. G. Jenkins et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 134, 022502 (2025).
[4] A. Montes Plaza, J. Pakarinen, P. Papadakis et al., Communications physics 8, 8 (2025).

Speaker: Panu Ruotsalainen

INTRANS2026_Legnaro_Ruotsalainen_pdf.pdf

17:15 First observation of huge MED in A = 29 T = 3/2 mirrors

Studying the nuclei along and near the N=Z line is the best way to find answers to some fundamental questions in nuclear physics, such as charge-dependence of the nuclear interaction [1,2]. The differences between the isobaric analogue states act as a magnifying glass on the structural changes in the mirror nuclei as a function of angular momentum. For instance, it has been demonstrated [3] that the mirror energy differences give a direct insight into the neutron skin. In fact, the skin changes along the rotational bands are strongly correlated with the difference between the neutron and proton occupations of the s1/2 halo orbit in nuclei of the sd shell. Such correlation has been so far found in the T=1/2 mirror pairs. Now we explore this feature in the T=3/2 mirrors.
Studying the T=3/2 mirrors is challenging from the experimental point of view, since it is difficult to produce the yrast bands of the most neutron-deficient partners. To reach those, for the first time we used a the 3-neutron channel in fusion-evaporation reactions. In this talk, the first results of such experiments, performed with the JUROGAM III - MARA spectrometer at JYFL, Jyväskylä will be shown. In particular, the production and spectroscopy of 29S, will be presented. This study allowed us to extend the level scheme of 29S to medium-high spin states, and thus to obtain for the first time the neutron skin in the T=3/2 partners and to explore the correlation with the occupation of the s1/2 halo orbit, by means of the measured mirror energy differences in a systematic analysis. In addition, we have been able to extract for the first time in this mass region, the 3-neutron evaporation cross-sections. The resulting mirror energy differences will be discussed in terms of neutron skin thickness extending, for the first time, our understanding to nuclei with 3 proton excess with respect to N=Z.

[1] M. A. Bentley and S. M. Lenzi, Prog. Part. Nucl. Phys. 59, 497 (2007)
[2] A. P. Zuker et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 142502 (2002)
[3] A. Boso et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 032502 (2018)

Speaker: Kseniia Rezynkina (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

Slides_29S_KR.pptx

17:30 Experimental determination of the 3-neutron evaporation cross section to produce 29S, 45Cr and 37Ca in fusion-evaporation reactions

Three experiments were recently performed at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä (JYFL-ACCLAB) to produce the $T_\mathrm{z}$=$-3/2$ nuclei $^{29}$S, $^{45}$Cr and $^{37}$Ca that were studied with the MARA [MARA2008] separator and the JUROGAM III [JUROGAM2020] germanium array. These nuclei were produced in the $3$-neutron evaporation channel in $^{20}$Ne+$^{12}$C, $^{24}$Mg+$^{24}$Mg and $^{28}$Si+$^{12}$C fusion reactions, respectively, at different effective beam energies. The evaporation residues of interest were unambiguously identified at the MARA focal plane by exploiting the characteristic $\beta$-delayed proton emission decay mode of these nuclei [Vieira1979] [Dossat2007]. In addition to the new $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy results for these nuclei, the experimental production cross sections could be determined.

These nuclei are particularly important to probe isospin symmetry-breaking effects by exploiting the mirror energy differences (MED) in mirror nuclei. MED are the differences in the excitation energy of the states characterised by the same isospin quantum number in nuclei that have an interchanged number of protons and neutrons [Zuker2002].
However, the proton-rich members of the mirror pairs are challenging to produce experimentally in fusion-evaporation reactions because the production cross sections drop drastically for pure neutron evaporation channels. Moreover, experimental cross-section data for pure neutron evaporation channels are very scarce and fusion-evaporation codes, such as HIVAP [Reisdorf1981] and PACE4 [Gavron1980] tend to overestimate the neutron-evaporation cross sections by few orders of magnitude. For these reasons, choosing the optimal beam energy to maximise the yield of the exotic proton-rich nuclei becomes complicated.

In this presentation, the newly obtained experimental cross-section data points for $^{29}$S, $^{45}$Cr and $^{37}$Ca will be presented and compared to the predictions obtained from the different fusion-evaporation codes. The transmission of the MARA separator, a crucial factor to extract the experimental cross section, will also be discussed.

References
[MARA2008] J. Sarén et al., Nucl. Instrum. Methods B 266, 4196 (2008)
[JUROGAM2020] J. Pakarinen, J. Ojala, P. Ruotsalainen et al., Eur. Phys. J. A 56, 149 (2020)
[Vieira1979] D. J. Vieira, R. A. Gough and J.Cerny, Phys. Rev. C 19, 177 (1979)
[Dossat2007] C. Dossat et al., Nucl. Phys. A 792, 18 (2007)
[Zuker2002] A. P. Zuker, S.M. Lenzi, G. Martinez-Pinedo and A. Poves, Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 142502 (2002)
[Reisdorf1981] W. Reisdorf, Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Physik A Atoms and Nuclei 300, 227, (1981)
[Gavron1980] A. Gavron, Phys. Rev. C 21, 230, (1980)

Speaker: Denise Lazzaretto

17:45 Unraveling 64-Ni + 238-U Reaction Products and Isomer Lifetimes with Correlation Techniques

Multinucleon Transfer (MNT) reactions offer a promising path to produce neutron-rich isotopes [1]. Many facilities worldwide are studying this process to better understand the underlying mechanisms as well as the competing reaction channels.

At the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä, we studied these processes using the gas-filled recoil separator RITU [2] in combination with the JUROGAM 3 $\gamma$-ray detector array [3]. This setup allows the correlation of prompt gamma-ray emissions with the recoil products detected in the focal plane of RITU. This method provides direct insight into the reaction mechanisms.

In this talk, I will present results from the reaction $^{64}$Ni + $^{238}$U, performed at energies near the Coulomb barrier. To trace the reaction products, I employed several correlation techniques, revealing signatures of both quasi-fission and MNT. Recoil-gated $\alpha$–$\alpha$ correlations were used to characterize quasi-fission fragments, $\gamma$–$\gamma$–$\gamma$ analysis identified target-like nuclei, and conversion electron–$\gamma$ correlations enabled, for the first time, the measurement of isomeric state lifetimes in transfer products close in mass and charge to $^{238}$U.

References:
[1] S. Heinz and H. M. Devaraja, Nucleosynthesis in multinucleon transfer reactions, The European Physical Journal A, vol.58, no.6, p.114, 2022, ISSN: 1434-601X. DOI: 10.1140/epja/s10050-022-00771-1. Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/s10050-022-00771-1.
[2]: J.Saren et al.,Absolute transmission and separation properties of the gas-filled recoil separator RITU,Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, vol.654, no.1, pp.508-521, 2011.
[3] J. Pakarinen et al., The JUROGAM 3 spectrometer, The European Physical Journal A, vol.56, pp.1-8, 2020.

Speaker: Jennifer Cipagauta Mora (University of Groningen)

INTRANS_CipagautaMora.pdf

18:00 Gamma-ray spectroscopic analysis around the mid-shell for 176,177Yb

Nuclei in the rare-earth region with proton numbers between 50–82 and neutron numbers between 82–126 are of particular interest due to the evolution of their nuclear shapes and the interplay between collective motion and single-particle behavior. To investigate these two modes of nuclear motion, the even–even isotope 176Yb and the even–odd isotope 177Yb were selected for study using gamma-ray spectroscopy. Contrary to the purely collective description of the 176Yb ground-band excitations, the excited states of 177Yb nucleus can be interpreted in terms of single-particle excitations. Excited states of these isotopes were populated through Coulomb excitation and 1n-transfer reactions in an experiment conducted at IFIN-HH in Magurele, Romania. In the experiment, a monoisotopic 176Yb target was bombarded with 9Be ions at 38 MeV, and the emitted gamma rays were detected using the RoSPHERE array, comprising 10 HPGe and 15 LaBr3(Ce) detectors. Analysis of the gamma-spectroscopy data contributes to the assessment of existing information in this mass region of N=104, while ongoing work aims to provide further insights about the nuclear structure of these rare-earth isotopes, where experimental data remain scarce.

Speaker: A. Violanti (NKUA)

Wednesday 4 February

09:00 → 11:00 Wednesday 1

Convener: Simone Bottoni (Università degli Studi di Milano and INFN)

09:00 Probing nuclear structure with thermal neutrons

High-flux reactors such as the one at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL, Grenoble) provide intense neutron sources for many different physics purposes. In particular, thermal neutron-induced reactions can be used to probe different phenomena in an approach to study the structure of nuclei. Neutron capture reactions on (rare) stable or radioactive targets populate low-spin states below the neutron separation energy. With thermal neutron induced fission on actinides, neutron-rich nuclei are produced at moderately high spin. Those fission products are studied at ILL in the high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy setup FIPPS (Fission Product Prompt gamma-ray Spectrometer). This facility provides access to observables which cannot yet be measured at any other currently existing facility and are needed to validate theoretical models or investigate phenomena as nuclear shape coexistence.

After a general introduction about the nuclear physics activities at the Institut Laue-Langevin, the FIPPS setup will be outlined. Recent results obtained in different experiments will be reported, in particular the ones following campaigns using radioactive targets. The innovative technique of fission tagging using an active liquid target was used for the first time with a neutron beam. The novel use of this device for the measurement of lifetimes of medium-high spin states in neutron-rich nuclei will be shown. The future perspectives for the coupling of the existing FIPPS setup to a fission-fragment identification system based on diamond detectors will also be outlined.

Speaker: Caterina Michelagnoli (Institut Laue-Langevin)

Michelagnoli_INTRANS26_v04.pdf

09:30 High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy of 136Ba: Implications for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay

Neutrinoless double beta decay (0$\nu\beta\beta$) is a rare nuclear process predicted by beyond-Standard Model theories, offering crucial insights into the nature of neutrinos and lepton number violation. A confirmed observation of 0$\nu\beta\beta$ would establish the Majorana nature of neutrinos and provide constraints on their absolute mass scale. Among candidate isotopes, the decay of $^{136}$Xe to $^{136}$Ba is extensively studied in large-scale experiments such as EXO, KamLAND-Zen, nEXO, and PandaX. However, to date, experiments have only set lower limits on the decay lifetimes [1].

A significant challenge remains in the precise determination of nuclear matrix elements (NMEs), which introduce uncertainties in extracting neutrino properties from measured decay rates. Theoretical predictions of NMEs vary considerably [2], highlighting the need for improved nuclear structure data.

This study investigates the nuclear structure of $^{136}$Ba, the daughter nucleus of $^{136}$Xe, through high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy using the FIPPS array at ILL. The focus is on low-spin states in $^{136}$Ba populated via the $^{135}$Ba(n,$\gamma$)$^{136}$Ba reaction, with particular emphasis on the characterization of low-spin 0$^{+}$ states. These states play a fundamental role in 0$\nu\beta\beta$ decay transitions but remain incompletely understood.

The level scheme of $^{136}$Ba has been studied through $^{136}$Cs $\beta$ decay and $^{135}$Ba(n, $\gamma$) reaction experiments. Although several (n, $\gamma$) studies have been conducted, the only published data dates back to 1969 [3]. More recently, a study of the $^{138}$Ba(p, t) $^{136}$Ba reaction [4] identified several previously unknown 0$^{+}$ states in $^{136}$Ba. The high statistics of this experiment will allow for a significant expansion of the existing data set.

The experimental setup consisted of 16 HPGe clover detectors with anti-Compton shields, achieving an efficiency of 3.5\% at 1.4~MeV and an energy resolution of $\sim$2~keV at 1.3~MeV. The experiment employed a thermal neutron beam from the ILL reactor with an intensity of $\sim$10$^{7}$~n/s/cm$^{2}$ [5]. The results will highlight newly identified transitions and spin assignments for states up to 5~MeV in excitation energy. The coincidence method was used to assign new decay lines by analyzing $\gamma\gamma$ matrices, while spin assignments were determined through angular correlation analysis of coincident $\gamma$ rays, referencing existing literature on tentative values and mixing ratios.

Additionally, the findings will be compared with theoretical calculations to provide further insights into the nuclear structure of $^{136}$Ba. Lifetime measurements will be conducted to reduce uncertainties and provide new data. The vibrational and mixed-symmetry properties of $^{136}$Ba ($N=80$) will also be explored to enhance the understanding of its collective dynamics. These results aim to reduce NME uncertainties, advance knowledge of 0$\nu\beta\beta$, and contribute to broader nuclear structure studies.

References:

[1] A. Gando et al. (KamLAND-Zen Collaboration), Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 082503 (2016).
[2] J. Engel and J. Menéndez, Rep. Prog. Phys. 80, 046301 (2017).
[3] W. Gelletly et al., Phys. Rev. 181, 1682 (1969).
[4] B. M. Rebeiro et al., Phys. Lett. B 809, 135702 (2020).
[5] C. Michelagnoli et al., EPJ Web Conf. 193 (2018).

Speaker: Jelena Bardak

Presentation_InTraNS_Bardak.pdf

09:45 The EXOGAM array : current status and last results

In 2026, the EXOGAM array will celebrate its 25 years of operation at GANIL. Composed of high efficiency segmented Clover detectors, it has been used in numerous experiments in the various areas of GANIL. In 2012 we also setup the array at the ILL high flux reactor for a serie of cold-neutron induced fission experiments and for certain neutron capture reaction studies. At GANIL, the array has been installed in coincidence with other devices like spectrometer, light charged-particle detectors, zero degree detection systems in order to have the as complete as possible picture of the reaction. During the AGATA campaign at GANIL, the use of EXOGAM detectors was less extensive but the Clovers were still used for instance at the focal plane of the VAMOS large acceptance spectrometer to measure isomers. In this talk, I will show the current status of the array and some statistics on its use. I will also present an overview of the results obtained in experiments using EXOGAM in the last 5 years. Finally a projection for the next year(s) will be given.

Speaker: Gilles de FRANCE (GANIL)

INTRANS_2026_deFrance_V4.pptx

10:15 Structure of neutron-rich Ge isotopes in vicinity of the double-magic 78Ni nucleus.

Experimental studies of excited states have been performed to probe the evolution of the shell structure in neutron-rich nuclei. In the case of N=50 isotopes from 90Zr to 78Ni, specific excited states correspond mainly to neutron excitations across the N=50 gap. Thus, the evolution of the excitation energy of these states, particularly in the 82Ge nuclei, enables to deduce the size of the N=50 gap. In addition, information on the collective or single-particle (particle - hole configuration) nature may be obtained in odd Ge isotopes on both sides of the N=50 gap (81Ge and 83Ge).

A large data set of neutron-rich nuclei is produced in a fusion-fission reaction with 238U beam (at 6.2 MeV/u) impinging a 9Be target. The several fission fragments are selected unambiguously (A and Z identification) by the VAMOS++ spectrometer. The prompt gamma rays are detected in coincidence with the fission fragments by the AGATA array composed of 8 triple-clusters.

The experimental results are compared with the most advanced shell-model calculations using the most updated interaction for this region in the nuclear chart.

The structure of these N=49 and N=51 nuclei has already been investigated through beta-decay, Coulomb excitation, and nucleon-transfer experiments. However, their high-spin states have not yet been studied using prompt gamma-ray spectroscopy. Indeed, for the first time, the level schemes of various neutron-rich Ge isotopes (N=49, N=50, and N=51) and 79Zn (N=49) will be presented and discussed in the light of theoretical calculations.

Speaker: Francois Didierjean

10:30 The ν-Ball array: Current status, physics highlights and future prospects

The recent experimental campaign using the ν-Ball2 state-of-the-art hybrid gamma-ray spectrometer at the ALTO facility of IJC Lab in Orsay will be reviewed. ν-Ball2 consists of several coupled detectors and devices, including Gammapool high efficiency Ge clovers, the FATIMA fast-timing array [1], eight clusters of the PARIS array [2] and the DSSD segmented silicon detector from Warsaw [3]. A major focus of the experimental campaign was to perform gamma ray spectroscopy of nuclear fission, induced by fast neutrons from the LICORNE source [4], light charged particles, and heavy ion beams from the ALTO tandem accelerator. These reactions are used as tools to study both the fission process itself and as a production mechanism for studying exotic neutron-rich nuclei and the lifetimes of their excited states. Open questions in fission have been addressed, such as the evolution of fragment yield distributions in the sub-actinide region [5] and the emission of high energy gamma rays in nuclear fission with potential population of collective resonances (PDR, GDR, etc.) in the emerging fragments [6]. Additional questions on angular correlations between fission fragment partner spins, and gamma ray angular distributions with respect to the fission axis are currently being addressed [7]. An overview of the ν-Ball2 experimental campaign will be given and along with some selected physics highlights and future prospects.
[1] M. Rudigier et al., Nucl.Instrum.Meth.A, 969, (2020), 163967
[2] F. Camera and A. Maj, PARIS White Book, ISBN 978-83-63542-22-1 (2021)
[3] https://www.slcj.uw.edu.pl/en/coulomb-excitation-at-the-warsaw-cyclotron/
[4] J.N. Wilson et al., Physics Procedia, 59, (2014), Pages 31-36
[5] A. Andreyev et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, (2010) 252502
[6] H. Makii et al. Phys. Rev. C 100, (2019) 044610
[7] J. Randrup, Phys. Rev. C 106, (2022) L051601

Speaker: Jonathan Wilson

11:00 → 11:30 Coffee break

11:30 → 13:15 Wednesday 2

Convener: Giacomo De Angelis (INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro)

11:30 Effective theory approaches for few and many nucleons

Nuclear physics is connected to many different areas of physics, spanning arcs from particle physics all the way to astronomy. A solid understanding of nuclear systems from first principles, that is, based on Quantum Chromodynamics as the fundamental theory of the strong interaction, is therefore of great importance, and it can only be achieved with as a concerted effort of theory and experiment.

In this talk, I will give an overview of how modern nuclear theory can work towards this goal with a combination of effective field theories and tailored numerical simulations. Particular emphasis will be placed on the systematic construction of nuclear forces to predict nuclear structure and reactions, and on recent developments in the efficient and rigorous description of few-body resonances.

Speaker: Sebastian Koenig (NC State University)

intrans_sk_2026.pdf

12:00 HISTARS: A High-Performance Detector for Nuclear Excited-State Lifetimes at HIE-ISOLDE

Recent advances in fast scintillators, high-performance photodetectors, and state-of-the-art readout electronics are driving substantial progress in both Nuclear Spectroscopy and Reaction Dynamics, and medical imaging. Halide-based inorganic scintillator crystals, which offer fast timing response, excellent energy resolution, and high effective atomic number, have proven particularly suited for lifetime measurements of nuclear excited states on the order of a few tens of picoseconds. HISTARS (HIE-ISOLDE Timing Array for Reaction Studies) is a detection system under construction aimed at lifetime measurements of excited states populated in reactions with accelerated radioactive ion beams at the HIE-ISOLDE facility at CERN. Nuclear excite-states lifetimes are essential have direct access to electromagnetic transition rates, which are sensitive to the details of nuclear wavefunctions. The idea is profiting from the versatility of the ISOLDE facility to deliver exotic isotope beams and the unique access to post-accelerated radioactive beams up to 10 MeV/u provided by HIE-ISOLDE.

HISTARS combines a charged particle inner detector system with enhanced capabilities for reaction tagging with excellent timing response and an external gamma fast-timing array based on LaBr3(Ce) detectors. The system aims to benefit from recent advancements in instrumentation and electronics, utilizing improvements in digital signal processing and innovative analysis techniques based on genetic algorithms.

To benchmark the performance of the instrumentation and to validate particle-gamma coincidence capabilities with fast scintillators, dedicated test experiments have been conducted using Coulomb-excitation reactions at the 5-MV tandetron at CMAM in Madrid. Various scintillator systems including GaGG(Ce), YSO, fast LGSO and plastic scintillators coupled to silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), and reference LaBr$_3$(Ce) detectors have been employed. Further tests have been done under realistic beam pulsing conditions at HIE-ISOLDE using post-accelerated stable beams.

The presentation will outline the conceptual and technical design of HISTARS, supported by Monte Carlo simulations, and will showcase experimental results on scintillator timing and energy response. Preliminary results about the tests will be shared. Physics cases will also be discussed to illustrate the potential reach of this next-generation fast-timing detection system at HIE-ISOLDE.

Speaker: Prof. Luis Mario Fraile (CERN)

fraile_histars_intras2026_v0web.pdf

12:30 Exploring the Nuclear Structure and Collectivity of Neutron-Rich Tin Isotopes around $^{132}$Sn

The evolution of nuclear collectivity and structure in the region surrounding the doubly-magic nucleus $^{132}$Sn remains a central open question in nuclear structure physics. Recent shell-model calculations, employing realistic interactions, predict an enhancement of collectivity in the neighboring even-even isotopes of $^{132}$Sn [1]. Despite this, a long-standing discrepancy between experimental data for $^{130}$Sn and $^{134}$Sn and theoretical predictions persists [2]. To address this issue, two Coulomb excitation experiments were conducted at ISOLDE in 2023 and 2025. Post-accelerated radioactive ion beams, delivered by the HIE-ISOLDE accelerator at 4.4 MeV/u, were incident on $^{206}$Pb and $^{194}$Pt targets. The first excited states of $^{130}$Sn and $^{134}$Sn were selectively populated via safe Coulomb excitation. Deexciting $\gamma$ rays were detected with the highly efficient MINIBALL $\gamma$-ray spectrometer in coincidence with scattered particles. Results from the 2023 experiment provide new experimental B(E2) data that resolve the previously observed discrepancy between theory and experiment in $^{130}$Sn. This contribution will also include results concerning Coulomb excitation of the long-lived 7$^-$ isomer in $^{130}$Sn and present the current status of the analysis of the 2025 data for $^{134}$Sn.
[1] D. Rosiak \textit{et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{121}, 252501 (2018).
[2] T. Togashi \textit{et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{121}, 062501 (2018).

Speaker: Maximilian Droste

intrans_maxdroste (1).pptx

12:45 Status, recent physics highlights and prospects of the PARIS and HECTOR+ arrays

The HECTOR+ [1] and the PARIS [2] arrays are composed of large volume scintillator crystals and are mainly (but not only) focused on the detection of high-energy gamma-rays.
At the moment, the HECTOR+ array consists of 10 large volume cylindrical (3.5" x 8") LaBr3:Ce crystals. Two detectors are now in Krakow at CCB (Pl) while eight are now located in Osaka (Jp) within the PANDORA project [3]. In Japan they were the main constituents of the SCYLLA array while together with 8 identical detectors from South Africa they form the LPIS array. These detectors have been used in some of the last experimental campaigns in OSAKA coupled to the GRAN RAIDEN spectrometer.
The PARIS array consists of more than 100 phoswich-crystals; each is composed of a 2"x2"x2" cube of LaBr3:Ce or CeBr3:Ce and 2"x2"x6" a NaI rectangular parallelepiped crystal.
Using Analog or Digital electronics it is possible to identify in which crystal the gamma-ray interacted and therefore one could use the front part of PARIS as a very efficient and granular multiplicity filter while the whole PARIS can be used as a very efficient detector array for the measurement of gamma-rays. The PARIS detectors can be arranged in several geometries depending on the physics case.
In general, they are arranged into clusters each composed of nine phoswich-crystals or grouped in a wall geometry.
In the recent past, the PARIS array measured in GANIL (Fr), IJCLAB (Fr) and in Krakow at CCB (Pl) and, in 2027, it is going to measure coupled with the AGATA array at LNL (It).
The general performances of these arrays, the PANDORA physics case, the highlight of PARIS and some of the LOI associated with the PARIS in Legnaro campaign will be discussed in the talk.

[1] A. Giaz, et.al., NIM A729(2013)910–921.338 and F. Camera, et.al., EPJ Web of Conferences 66, 11008 (2014).
[2] A.Maj et al., Acta Physica Polonica B 40, 565(2009)
[3] A.Tamii et al. Eur.Phys.J. A (2023)59-208

Speaker: Franco Camera (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

13:15 → 13:20 Workshop PICTURE

13:20 → 14:50 Lunch at LNL Canteen

14:50 → 16:20 Wednesday 3

Convener: Giovanna Montagnoli (Dip. di Fisica e Astronomia, Univ. di Padova, and INFN-PD)

14:50 Recent and upcoming science from the TIGRESS array at TRIUMF

TIGRESS, an array of up to 16 Compton-suppressed high purity germanium clover detectors (based on the EXOGAM design, with additional segmentation), has enabled many in-beam experiments studying nuclear structure and astrophysics at TRIUMF over the last two decades. In recent years TIGRESS has been operated alongside the EMMA recoil spectrometer, enabling significant improvements in reaction channel selectivity which have been particularly useful for the study of astrophysical reaction rates and the identification of neutron-deficient channels following fusion-evaporation.

This talk will cover recent science highlights from the TIGRESS array and its suite of ancillary detectors. Particular focus will be given to a recent series of fusion-evaporation studies using EMMA and a spherical 128-element CsI(Tl) array for exit channel identification.

Additionally: as TRIUMF focuses its efforts on the completion of the ARIEL facility, the ISAC facility (where TIGRESS is located) will shut down for 16 months starting January 2026. However, this interruption in the beam schedule presents a unique opportunity as both TIGRESS and the nearby GRIFFIN array will now be available for long duration high-statistics source measurements. Several experiments have been proposed, focusing on the study of rare decay modes with extremely weak branching fractions. Our plans for the upcoming year will be discussed.

Speaker: Jonathan Williams (TRIUMF)

JW_tigress.pdf

15:20 Investigations of 80Ge through the β decay of 80Ga using GRIFFIN at TRIUMF

Shape coexistence—the occurrence of states with distinct nuclear shapes at similar excitation energies—has been observed in many regions of the nuclear chart [1-4] and is closely tied to the emergence of “islands of inversion”. Recent results indicate that even the neutron-rich doubly magic nucleus 78Ni exhibits signatures of deformation and shape coexistence [5], suggesting the onset of a new island of inversion at 𝑁=50 [6]. Just two neutrons below 78Ni50, 80Ge48 has attracted significant attention, with an earlier experiment suggesting shape coexistence through the observation of a low-lying 639-keV 0+ state below the first 2+ state at 659 keV [7].
We report on a comprehensive γ-ray spectroscopy study of 80Ge nuclear structure following the β-decay of 80Ga, populated by both its 6− ground state and 3− isomer with half-lives of 1.9 s and 1.3 s, respectively. The high-statistics experiment was performed with the high-efficiency GRIFFIN γ-ray spectrometer at TRIUMF [8-11]. More than 1100 γ-ray transitions and 400 excited states were observed, including several levels above the neutron separation energy at 8.08 MeV. Tentative spin and parity assignments are proposed, and β-feeding intensities deduced. Comparisons with large-scale shell-model calculations using NUSHELLX@MSU were carried out for both parent states. Our investigations [12,13] and subsequent β-decay [13,14] and Coulomb excitation studies [15] did not confirm the presence of the 639-keV 02+ state below the 21+ state or at 2 MeV, as suggested by theory. A recent paper reported two ~7 MeV high-energy γ rays populating low lying states that could, intriguingly, hint at pygmy dipole resonance in 80Ge [16,17]. Despite observing transitions with relative intensities as low as 10-3, our study did not observe these transitions.
This work provides one of the most extensive β-decay datasets analyzed to date, including the most comprehensive study of negative parity states in an even-even nucleus, and offers new insight into the structure of 80Ge [17] in the vicinity of the proposed 𝑁=50 island of inversion.

References
[1] H. Morinaga, Phys. Rev. 101, 254 (1956).
[2] K. Heyde and J. L. Wood, Rev. Mod. Phys. 83, 1467 (2011).
[3] P. E. Garrett, J. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phys. 43, 084002 (2016).
[4] J. L. Wood, J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 403, 012011 (2012).
[5] R. Taniuchi et al., Nature 569, 53 (2019).
[6] F. Nowacki, A. Poves, E. Caurier, and B. Bounthong, Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 272501 (2016).
[7] A. Gottardo et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 182501 (2016).
[8] C. E. Svensson and A. B. Garnsworthy, Hyperfine Interact. 225, 127 (2014).
[9] U. Rizwan et al., Nucl. Instrum. Meth. Phys. Res. A 820, 126 (2016).
[10] A. B. Garnsworthy et al., Nucl. Instrum. Meth. Phys. Res. A 853, 85 (2017).
[11] A. B. Garnsworthy et al., Nucl. Instrum. Meth. Phys. Res. A 918, 9 (2019).
[12] F. H. Garcia et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 172501 (2020).
[13] F. H. Garcia et al., Phys. Rev. C, to be published.
[14] S. Sekal et al., Phys. Rev. C 104, 024317 (2021).
[15] D. Rhodes et al., Phys. Rev. C 105, 024325 (2022).
[16] R. Li et al., Phys. Rev. C 111, 034303 (2025); R. Li et al., arXiv:2510.27125 (2025).
[17] L. T. Phuc, N. D. Dang, R. Li, and N. Q. Hung, Phys. Rev. C 110, 064323 (2024).

Speaker: Corina Andreoiu

15:50 Machine Learning for the Automated Analysis of Data from Large-Scale Gamma-Ray Spectrometers

Recent decades have witnessed exponential growth in both the quality and volume of experimental nuclear data, driven by advancements in detector technologies and accelerator capabilities. Gamma- ray spectroscopy, in particular, has benefited from these technological improvements, enabling the collection of increasingly complex and high-dimensional datasets from large-scale spectrometers such as GRIFFIN and TIGRESS at TRIUMF, located in Vancouver, Canada. However, the traditional, labor-intensive methods of visually inspecting one- and two-dimensional histograms, time-gating on gamma-gamma coincidences, fitting spectra, and building upon existing level diagrams have struggled to keep pace with the mounting data and have remained prone to human error.
To specifically address the challenges associated with constructing excited-state decay schemes, this research reformulates the construction of level schemes as an inverse optimization problem, taking the gamma-ray singles spectrum and symmetric gamma-gamma coincidence matrices as primary inputs into the algorithm. Using modern software packages for numerical optimization, a machine learning framework is employed to recover directed level-scheme graphs.

Speaker: Samantha Ann Buck (University of Guelph)

Machine-Learning-for-the-Automated-Analysis-of-Data-from-Large-Scale-Gamma-Ray-Spectrometers (1).pdf

Machine-Learning-for-the-Automated-Analysis-of-Data-from-Large-Scale-Gamma-Ray-Spectrometers (1).pptx

16:05 High-efficiency $\gamma$-ray detection with HPGe and 16-fold NaI(Tl) detector for nuclear astrophysics experiments at LUNA

A new $^{12}$C+$^{12}$C fusion reaction cross-section is measured via $\gamma$-rays detection within the LUNA experiment at the Bellotti Ion Beam Facility (BIBF), located at the deep underground laboratory of Gran Sasso National Laboratory. At low energies, the background inherent in detection techniques introduces significant uncertainty in the measured cross-section. Thus, reduction of background is necessary, using active and passive shielding. Two large volume NaI(Tl) annulus detectors, each segmented into eight sections, coupled with a high efficiency and high resolution HPGe detector, are employed for detecting the $\gamma$-rays in this campaign. The detection system is encased by passive shielding consisting of 25 cm of lead and 1 cm of copper. The NaI(Tl) scintillation detector from Scionix consists of a crystal of 312 mm diameter and 250 mm height with a central through-well of 110 mm diameter, mounted in an aluminium housing. Each segment is optically coupled to a series of SiPMs with a build in bias generator and preamplifier. We tested the performance of the NaI(Tl) annulus detectors surrounding the target and HPGe, used as an active anti-Compton veto to lower the detection uncertainty as well as a total absorption spectrometer.

Speaker: Dipali Basak (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

Intrans_dipali.pdf

Intrans_dipali1.pdf

16:20 → 16:50 Coffee break

16:50 → 17:50 Wednesday 4

Convener: Andrés Gadea (IFC-CSIC)

16:50 HPGe Detectors R&D at INFN LNL and Padova University

Speaker: Walter Raniero (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

17:20 Reinventing HPGe Detector Readout: New Integrated Charge Sensitive Preamplifiers

High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors, such as those employed in advanced gamma-ray spectroscopy arrays like AGATA, traditionally rely on discrete-component charge-sensitive preamplifiers (CSPs). These systems, while offering excellent energy resolution, impose significant power and area consumption. To overcome these limitations, the Nuclear Electronics Research Group of the University of Milan has developed a new integrated low-noise CSP using the AMS C35B4C3 350 nm CMOS technology. The circuit features a four-stage preamplifier with a pMOS input transistor optimized for low flicker noise and minimal input capacitance, followed by a high-performance Line Driver capable of driving 50 Ω loads. Despite a power consumption of only 25 mW, the ASIC achieves noise, linearity (0.3 ‰ INL), and energy resolution performance comparable to state-of-the-art circuits.
Tests with a 15 pF detector-equivalent capacitance and quasi-Gaussian shaping demonstrated full compatibility with existing nuclear spectroscopy systems. The reduced power consumption and compactness of the design open the way for direct integration within cryostats, paving the path toward next-generation low-noise, low-power and fully configurable front-end electronics for HPGe detector arrays.

Speaker: Giacomo Secci (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

17:35 Lightweight pulse-shape analysis using a machine learning ensemble algorithm for segmented HPGe

Pulse-shape analysis (PSA) techniques are widely used to measure quantities such as energy, time as well as other valuable information including particle identification and position of interaction. In the case of large segmented high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector arrays, such as AGATA, analysing the pulse-shapes of the primary hit segment and its first neighbours is performed to determine all the interaction positions of a single $\gamma$-ray event. These positions are an indispensable ingredient for $\gamma$-ray tracking, used for Compton-background reduction and Doppler correction. Typical PSA on such arrays generally requires substantial computing resources to handle advanced sample-by-sample minimisation algorithms of large number of samples ($\sim$100 per pulse) in order to determine the interaction position(s).
In this work we present an alternative lightweight PSA approach using a reduced number of global pulse features ($\lesssim$15), easily extracted from the hit segment and its first neighbours pulses. The collected features are thenceforth injected in an ensemble of machine learning models based on a \emph{gradient boosted regression trees} algorithm to determine the hit position.Source data, measured with an AGATA crystal at the IPHC scanning table, provided the training and validation data sets. The first application of this algorithm demonstrated a position resolution comparable to those obtained with computationally expensive \emph{classic} PSA. This new approach requiring modest computational resources is typically, but not exclusively, useful for applications such as an ambulant Compton imaging device.
An overview of the construction and training of the machine learning models will be presented, as well as the achieved position measurement performances in the context of a novel HPGe Compton imaging device.

Speaker: Mohamad Moukaddam (IPHC - Strasbourg, FRANCE)

18:40 → 21:10 Social dinner: Dinner at Villa Sagredo - BUS from LNL to Sagredo and Back to Padova

Thursday 5 February

09:00 → 11:00 Thursday 1

Convener: Adam Maj

09:00 The ROSHPERE array of IFIN-HH: recent physics highlights and future prospects

The ROmanian array for SPectroscopy in HEavy ion REactions (ROSPHERE) has been designed as a multi-detector setup dedicated to γ-ray spectroscopy studies at the Bucharest 9 MV Tandem accelerator. Consisting of up to 25 detectors (either Compton suppressed HPGe detectors, fast LaBr$_3$(Ce) scintillator detectors) together with a state of the art plunger device, ROSPHERE is a powerful tool for lifetime measurements using the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM), Recoil Distance Doppler Shift (RDDS) and the in-beam Fast Electronic Scintillation Timing (FEST) methods.
ROSPHERE can be arranged, since 2021, in a new configuration consisting up to 25 ELIGANT/ELIADE 3”x3” LaBr$_3$(Ce)/CeBr scintillators together with DSSSD detectors for particle identification, resulting in a high efficiency, medium resolution spectrometer.
The presentation will include an overview of the 9MV Tandem accelerator of IFIN-HH and the on-going experimental programme together with the present status of the ROSPHERE array, recent physics highlights and future developments.

Speaker: Dr Razvan Lica (IFIN-HH)

09:30 Search for shape coexistence at N=50 in 88Sr

In the recent years, coexisting shapes associated to different excitation energies have been clearly observed in Ni isotopes (Z=28) [1–3], and the results have been successfully reproduced from a microscopic point of view by Monte Carlo Shell Model calculations [4, 5]. Since a similar mechanism is expected at the N=50 neutron shell-closure, the current collaboration has started an experimental campaign at IFIN-HH aiming at investigating this phenomenon along this isotonic chain, such as $^{84}$Se [6] and $^{88}$Sr. In this work, we report on the results of $^{88}$Sr, populated through a $^{89}$Y($^{11}$B, $^{12}$C) one-proton pick-up reaction, which was performed in March 2025 at IFIN-HH with the ROSPHERE $\gamma$-ray spectrometer. The $0^+_2$ and $0^+_3$ states were successfully observed, and their lifetimes were measured for the first time by employing the Recoil Distance Doppler-Shift technique and the Doppler-Shift Attenuation Method, respectively, giving $T_{1/2} = 3.02(45)$ ps and $T_{1/2} = 417(39)$ fs for the two states. The corresponding $B(E2)$ strengths to the $2^+_1$ state were evaluated as $B(E2) = 2.01(30)$ W.u. and $B(E2) = 0.166(16)$ W.u., respectively. For the latter, the hindered $\gamma$ transition could point to a shape-isomer-like structure, as recently observed in $^{64,66}$Ni [1, 2] and $^{84}$Se [6] isotopes. Comparisons with theoretical model calculations will be discussed.

[1] S. Leoni, B. Fornal, N. Mărginean, M. Sferrazza, Y. Tsunoda, T. Otsuka, G. Bocchi, F.C.L. Crespi, A. Bracco et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 162502 (2017).

[2] N. Mărginean, D. Little, Y. Tsunoda, S. Leoni, R.V.F. Janssens, B. Fornal, T. Otsuka, C. Michelagnoli, L. Stan et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 102502 (2020).

[3] S. Leoni, B. Fornal, A. Bracco, Y. Tsunoda, and T. Otsuka, Prog. Part. Nucl. Phys. 139, 104119 (2024).

[4] Y. Tsunoda, T. Otsuka, N. Shimizu, M. Honma and Y. Utsuno, Phys. Rev. C 89, 031301 (2014).

[5] T. Otsuka and Y. Tsunoda, J. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phys. 43, 024009 (2016).

[6] G. Ciconali, F. Conca, S. Bottoni, S. Leoni, B. Fornal, M. Sferrazza, C. Michelagnoli, N. Mărginean et al., A. Phys. Pol. Supp. B 17, 3–A5 (2024).

Speaker: Fabio Conca (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

09:45 An investigation into the nuclear structure of 116Te and 118Te

The 116,118Te isotopes lie across the Z=50 shell-closure and present distinct vibrational features in their ground-band states. Recent calculations using density functional theory, as well as the recently developed proxy-SU3 model, have identified these isotopes as good candidates for shape coexistence. In an experiment conducted at the 9 MV Tandem accelerator of IFIN-HH in Magurele, Romania several excited states in 116,118Te were populated via the fusion-evaporation reaction mechanism. A natural Ag target was impinged by a 9Be beam of 35 MeV. The resulting γ-rays were detected by the RoSPHERE detector array equipped with 15 HPGe and 10 LaBr3 (Ce) detectors. The analysis results provide insights to some open questions regarding the nuclear structure of these isotopes. In the present contribution the experimental results on γ-ray spectroscopy of 116,118Te will be presented, with near-future work expected to involve fast-timing measurements to determine the lifetime of excited states.

Speaker: Konstantinos Topalis (Department of Physics, National Kapodistrian University of Athens)

10:00 Recent Physics Results and Future Directions of the OSCAR Detector at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory

The physics program at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory (OCL) pursues experimental studies of statistical properties of highly excited atomic nuclei using the Oslo Scintillator Array (OSCAR). The thirty large-volume (3.5” × 8”) LaBr3:Ce detectors of OSCAR are coupled to an array of segmented silicon telescope detectors to detect particle-gamma coincidences following light-ion induced nuclear reactions. These measurements produce gamma-ray spectra as a function of excitation energy. Primary gamma-ray spectra are extracted with a subtraction algorithm and decomposed into the nuclear level density and the gamma-ray strength function - a procedure that has become known as the “Oslo method”. The experiments probe resonant structures on the low-energy tail of the giant dipole resonance, including the pygmy dipole resonance, the scissors resonance, and the low-energy enhancement. Systematic studies reveal how these resonances evolve with nuclear deformation and neutron excess. Experimental level densities and gamma-ray strength functions can furthermore be used to constrain neutron-capture cross sections in Hauser-Feshbach calculations. This method provides experimentally constrained capture cross sections also for cases where direct measurements with neutrons are not possible, for example for branch points in the astrophysical s-process. Recent results from studies performed at OCL will be presented, together with prospects for future OSCAR experiments both at OCL and other laboratories.

Speaker: Andreas Görgen (University of Oslo)

10:30 EAGLE – γ-ray spectroscopy at HIL

Installed at the Heavy Ion Laboratory (HIL) of the University of Warsaw, EAGLE is a versatile gamma-ray spectroscopy array and data-acquisition platform used with beams accelerated in the Warsaw Cyclotron. This contribution discusses the current configuration of the array and its key performance parameters. Recent experiments in which EAGLE was employed in conjunction with the NEDA neutron detection setup, the DIAMANT charged particle detector, a plunger and a scattered beam detection array for Coulomb excitation studies will be outlined. Plans for ongoing developments and future experimental campaigns will also be presented.

Speaker: Katarzyna Hadynska-Klek

11:00 → 11:30 Coffee break

11:30 → 13:15 Thursday 2

Convener: Andrea Gottardo (INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro)

11:30 First experiments with the ELI-NP γ-ray spectrometers

Two major instruments for γ-ray measurements have been constructed and commissioned at ELI-NP, the ELIADE and ELIGANT-GN arrays. ELIADE consists of eight large-volume HPGe Clover detectors and four large-volume (3″ x 3″) CeBr3 detectors, all of them placed in anti-Compton shields. ELIGANT-GN is a 4π spectrometer for combined γ-ray and neutron measurements. In the upper hemisphere are placed 37 EJ301 liquid scintillation detectors and 32 6Li-glass detectors for neutron measurements, while in the lower hemisphere there are 34 3″ x 3″ LaBr3:Ce and CeBr3 γ-ray detectors. The performance of the instruments will be presented.
In the last years, 25 of the large-volume scintillation detectors were placed in the ROSPHERE anti-Compton shields at the 9 MV tandem of IFIN-HH, resulting in a unique worldwide highly-efficient spectrometer for high-energy γ rays, the ELIFANT array. More than 25 experiments were carried out with this detector, addressing nuclear level densities and γ-strength functions, coincidence γ-ray and γ-α spectroscopy in light nuclei, studies of Giant and Pigmy resonances. The performance of the array and selected results from the experimental program will be presented.
* The work is supported in part by the by the ELI-RO program funded by the Institute of Atomic Physics, Magurele, Romania, contract number ELI-RO/RDI/2024-007 (ELITE) and by the contract PN 23.21.01.06 with the Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization.

Speaker: Prof. Dimiter Balabanski (ELI-NP/IFIN-HH)

12:00 Results from Digital INGA using Lifetime and Coulomb Excitation Measurements

Level lifetime measurements play a crucial role in nuclear structure studies, enabling the identification of isomers and providing insights into various excitation phenomena in nuclei. The Digital INGA setup at TIFR [1] has been enhanced with an array of LaBr3(Ce) scintillator detectors and a Si–CD detector. Using this setup, fast-timing measurements have been performed to investigate the evolution of octupole collectivity in La and Zr isotopes [2,3]. In addition, Coulomb excitation experiments have recently been carried out to further explore octupole collectivity in Zr isotopes [4]. In another experiment, lifetime measurements employing the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM) in 88Sr have, for the first time, confirmed the existence of an attractive shears interaction between two particle blades in any nucleus [5]. Selected results from these experiments, addressing diverse aspects of nuclear structure near the neutron shell gaps at N=50 and N=82, will be presented.

References:
[1] R. Palit et al., European Physical Journal A 61, 74 (2025).
[2] Md. S. R. Laskar et al. Phys. Rev. C 104, L011301 (2021).
[3] P. Dey et al., Nucl. Phys. A 1057 123035 (2025).
[4] P. Dey et al., (in preparation).
[5] B. Das et al., Phys. Lett. B 862, 139324 (2025).

Acknowledgements:

Author is thankful to all the members of the INGA collaboration, the staff members at TIFR-BARC Pelletron Linac Facility, Central workshop and Low Temperature Facility of TIFR. This work is supported by the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India (Project Identification No. RTI 4002), and the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India (Grant No. IR/S2/PF-03/2003-II).

Speaker: Rudrajyoti Palit (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research)

12:30 Recent developements within the LISA project

The aim of the LISA (LIfetime measurements with Solid Active targets) project is to develop a novel method for lifetime measurements in atomic nuclei. Lifetimes probe the collectivity of a nucleus through its electromagnetic transition properties. The experimental approach is based on active solid targets and will dramatically enhance the scope of measurements of excited-state lifetimes and thus transition probabilities achievable in exotic nuclei. Coupled to state-of-the-art gamma-ray tracking detectors such as AGATA, this novel instrument will overcome the present challenges of lifetimes measurements with low-intensity beams of unstable nuclei. In this talk, I will present a short overview of the LISA project and show the results from the recent in-beam tests at GSI. Additionally, the LISA simulation capabilities will be discussed, including the potential coupling between LISA and AGATA setups for future physics experiments.

Speaker: Wiktor Witold Poklepa (GSI Darmstadt)

12:45 MULTIPAC and PACBit – Third Generation of TDPAC Spectroscopy

With its unique combination of an external magnetic field of up to 8.5 Tesla and the ability to heat and cool samples during measurements, the MULTIPAC Time-Differential Perturbed Angular Correlation (TDPAC) setup creates new possibilities for studying materials and their phase transitions [INTC2020] [INTC2023]. Building on this advanced instrumentation, the dedicated control and analysis software PACBit enables high-performance data acquisition, streamlined experiment control, and efficient post-processing. A brief outline of MULTIPAC is given, followed by an exposition of the used detector configuration. Operating in streaming mode with parallel HDF5, the data acquisition (DAQ) delivers high throughput and allows the collection of more data than in previous setups. This increased data rate enables the application of stricter coincidence selection rules while maintaining a large number of events, thereby improving statistical accuracy, reducing background noise, and enhancing measurement reliability. Post-processing features include signal smoothing, precise timestamp calculation, and automatic removal of secondary pulse signals. Finally, a coincidence search algorithm is presented that exploits the increased dataset to deliver more accurate event correlations, paving the way for better experimental results and new opportunities in high-resolution TDPAC spectroscopy.
[INTC2020] D. C. Lupascu, J. Schell, T. T. Dang, M. Schmuck. CERN-INTC-2020-011 / INTC-I-212. Letter of Intent to the ISOLDE and Neutron Time-of-Flight Committee (2020). https://cds.cern.ch/record/2706092/files/INTC-I-212.pdf
[INTC2023] J. H.-Schell, D. C. Lupascu, et al. CERN-INTC-2023-012 / INTC-I-249. Letter of Intent to the ISOLDE and Neutron Time-of-Flight Committee (2023). https://cds.cern.ch/record/2845935/files/INTC-I-249.pdf

Speaker: Björn Dörschel (University Duisburg-Essen)

Dörschel_MULTIPAC_PACBit.pdf

13:00 Novel active implanters for decay experiments

Decay spectroscopy within the HISPEC/DESPEC project at the SIS/FRS facility at GSI and soon at the Super-FRS at FAIR requires optimal implanters to correlate the implantation of exotic heavy nuclei with their subsequent beta/alpha decay. To cope with the huge dynamic energy range, fast plastic scintillation detectors with SiPM readout are particularly well suited. Results of the successful tests of the novel 2D and 3D position sensitive systems bPlast2 and FIMP will be presented and perspectives for further improvements discussed.

Speaker: Juergen Gerl (GSI)

14:30 → 16:30 Visit to LNL