Speaker
Description
The PANDORA (Plasmas for Astrophysics, Nuclear Decay Observation and Radiation for Archaeometry) facility aims to investigate the variation of nuclear and atomic properties inside a laboratory magnetoplasma emulating some aspects of the stellar interior [1]. The main goals of the facility are to use an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion trap to measure β-decay rates and optical opacities of isotopes in a hot plasma for application to s- and r-process nucleosynthesis, respectively. The measurements will serve as a crucial benchmark of model-predictions [2, 3], which can then be applied to nucleosynthesis codes. The facility is currently under realisation at INFN-LNS in Catania, Italy, and the first plasma is expected to be ignited in 2026. While initial runs will be performed with isotopes that can be injected into the trap with relative ease, phase-2 operations will couple the plasma with an RIB line to study decay dynamics of short-lived isotopes through in-flight injection or charge breeding techniques.
Measuring decay rates inside magnetoplasmas requires a robust detection methodology complemented by detailed plasma simulations. We present here an overview of the physics and technology behind PANDORA, starting from a systematics-based model of in-plasma decay [3]. We will use the model to calculate decay rates of $^{7}$Be and $^{134}$Cs in a general plasma and then couple the results with an in-house Particle-in-Cell Monte Carlo (PIC-MC) code to predict spatial trends of decay rates in the PANDORA trap. These isotopes are among the first cases to be studied, based on their feasibility and astrophysical relevance. We will then describe the detection methodology, which is based on counting secondary γ-rays emitted during the decay using 14 HPGe detectors placed around the plasma trap. We will conclude by presenting a “virtual experiment” of PANDORA, outlining the various steps of a typical measurement such as isotope injection, plasma characterization and monitoring, and data interpretation.
[1] Mascali, D., Palmerini, S., Torrisi, G., De Angelis, G., Santonocito, D., Kratz, K.-L., eds. (2023). Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics in Plasma Traps. Special Issue in Frontiers in Physics, Frontiers. DOI: 10.3389/978-2-83251-062-9
[2] Pidatella, A. et al. Experimental and numerical investigation of magneto-plasma optical properties towards measurements of opacity relevant for compact binary objects. Frontiers in Space Science and Astronomy. DOI: 10.3389/fspas.2022.931744
[3] Mishra, B., Pidatella, A., Mascali, D., Taioli, S, Simonucci, S. Electron Captures and Bound-State β-Decays in Ions and Plasma. Physical Review C (under review)
