Precision Measurement of the 29Si, 33S, and 36Cl Binding Energies

Published

October 16, 2008

Author(s)

Maynard S. Dewey, Ernest G. Kessler Jr., R Deslattes, H G. Borner, M Jentschel, C Doll, P Mutti

Abstract

The binding energies of ²⁹Si, ³³S, and ³⁶Cl have been measured with a relative uncertainty < 0.65 x 10^-6 using a flat-crystal spectrometer. The unique features of these measurements are 1) nearly perfect crystals whose lattice spacing is known in meters, 2) a highly precise angle scale that is derived from first principles, and 3) a gamma-ray measurement facility that is coupled to a high flux reactor with near-core source capability. The binding energy is obtained by measuring all gamma-rays in a cascade scheme connecting the capture and ground states. The measurements require the extension of precision flat-crystal diffraction techniques to the 5-6 MeV energy region, a significant precision measurement challenge. The measured gamma-ray energies are in agreement with earlier precision measurements. The measured binding energies have an uncertainty that is significantly less (factors of 7, 67, and 16 for ²⁹Si, ³³S, and ^u36&Cl respectively) than the uncertainty that is associated with binding energies determined from atomic mass tables. The gamma-ray and atomic mass binding energies are consistent within 1.7 standard deviations.

Citation

Physics Review C

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

binding energies, flat-crystal spectrometer, gamma-ray, lattice spacing

Citation

Dewey, M. , Kessler Jr., E. , Deslattes, R. , Borner, H. , Jentschel, M. , Doll, C. and Mutti, P. (2008), Precision Measurement of the ²⁹Si, ³³S, and ³⁶Cl Binding Energies, Physics Review C (Accessed October 9, 2025)