Level lifetimes for the candidate chiral doublet bands of 80Br were extracted by means of the Doppler-shift attenuation method. The absolute transition probabilities derived from the lifetimes agree well with the M1 and E2 chiral electromagnetic selection rules, and are well reproduced by the triaxial particle rotor model calculations. Such good agreements among the experimental data, selection rules of chiral doublet bands and theoretical calculations are rare and outstanding in researches of nuclear chirality. Besides odd-odd Cs isotopes, odd-odd Br isotopes in the A≈ 80 mass region represent another territory that exhibits the ideal selection rules expected for chiral doublet bands.

Heavy neutron-rich nuclei close to N = 126 were produced by fragmentation of a 1A GeV 208Pb beam at the FRS at GSI. The β-decay half-lives of 7 nuclides have been determined using a novel numerical analysis method. The half-lives of 202,199Ir, 200,199Os and 196Re are reported for the first time. The comparison of the data with model calculations provides indications on the importance of first-forbidden transitions on the β-decay of nuclei around N = 126 and Z < 82.

In the present work we were able to synthesize and measure with high accuracy the production cross sections of more than 190 heavy neutron-rich nuclei by the in-flight fragmentation of relativistic Pb-208 projectiles, 26 of which were produced for the first time. This work has shown that the N = 126 region far below the doubly magic Pb-208 has become accessible experimentally and represents a step further towards the study of heavy neutron-rich nuclei approaching the r-process waiting point at A = 195.

The FAIR facility will provide intense primary beams of protons and heavy ions, or secondary beams of antiprotons and rare isotopes. The operation includes fixed-target experiments or subsequent facilities of independent storage rings and experiment beam lines. The particle beams greatly differ in ion species, energy, intensity, time structure, spot size and stopping power. Therefore, transverse beam profile measurements require a careful choice of detector type for each location in order to cope with the large dynamic range and operational demands. This contribution presents the actual status of FAIR detector developments for intercepting devices (SEM-grids, multi-wire proportional chambers, scintillating screens) as well as non-intercepting beam induced fluorescence monitors and ionization profile monitors. Recently, promising results were obtained with an 11.4 MeV/u Uranium beam in measurements of optical transmission radiation emitted from thin metal foils. The boundaries for the application area are described and basic detector parameters are summarized. FAIR BEAM PARAMETERS The main objectives of the upcoming FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research) accelerator complex are to provide high-intensity ion beams, to generate beams of rare isotopes, as well as the production and storage of anti-protons [1]. Because the existing GSI accelerators Unilac and SIS18 will serve as injectors for FAIR a longterm upgrade program had been initiated including an extensive upgrade of beam diagnostic devices for the requirements of high-intensity operation. The foreseen FAIR standard operation modes require e.g. that Unilac routinely injects 510 U in a 150 μs macropulse into SIS18 as a booster synchrotron. From SIS18 the beam will be injected into the fast ramped superconducting heavy-ion synchrotron SIS100, the main accelerator of the future FAIR complex. SIS100 will deliver high-energy high-intensity protonand heavy ion beams near the space charge limit. The requirements for the experiments with radioactive ion beams include acceleration of up to 410 U ions/s to end energies of 400-2700 MeV/u, either in single bunches of 30-90 ns, or as slowly extracted beam with extraction times of several seconds. For the production of anti-protons 2.510 protons per pulse will be accelerated to 29 GeV with a repetition rate of 0.1 Hz and an output bunch length of 50 ns. It is clear that the large variety of beam parameters along the FAIR accelerator chain requests for well-matched diagnostic devices. Moreover, the high-energy beam transport lines (HEBT) have to be designed for the transport of ion beams with a large range of parameters. Because of the multiplexed experiment operation, the beams principally might differ on a pulse-by-pulse manner in ion species, energy, intensity, time structure and transverse beam width. The interconnection of the existing SIS18 to SIS100 has a magnetic rigidity of 18 Tm and will transport slowly and fast extracted beams in the intensity range 110310 particles per pulse. Beams to and from the storage rings will be transported by 13 Tm and 100 Tm beam lines, but also here a large range of beam intensities of 10-10 particles per pulse is planned. Additionally, the aperture has a range of 100-150 mm, which sets up additional requirements with regard to the mechanical layout of beam profile monitors. INSTRUMENTATION FOR BEAM PROFILING For the broad range of parameters adequate instruments for beam profile detection have been developed at GSI in the past years. Devices are divided into intercepting instruments, like SEM-grid, multi-wire proportional chamber (MWPC) or scintillating screens (SCR), that are specifically used for beam optimization procedures and non-intercepting devices, like beam induced fluorescence monitors (BIF) or ionization profile monitors (IPM) that allow for online profile measurements. Table 1: Typical Parameters during Test Measurements for Development of FAIR Instrumentation Device Ion Energy [MeV/u] Detection Threshold [Part./Pulse] Spatial Resol. [mm] SEMGrid U 11.4 510 <1

The precise transverse ion beam profile measurement is an ongoing research field at GSI. Usually beam profiles are measured with Secondary Electron eMission Grids (SEM-Grid), scintillating screens or Beam Induced Fluorescence (BIF) monitors [1]. As an alternative, the feasibility of Optical Transition Radiation (OTR) has been investigated using an 11.4 MeV/u ( = 0.16) Uranium beam at the GSI UNIversal Linear ACcelerator (UNILAC). The experiment was prompted by successful measurements at the CLIC Test Facility 3 with 80 keV electrons and a feasibility study for UNILAC and SIS18 energies at GSI. OTR is a classical electro-dynamic process where the emitted photon number depends on the square of the ion charge state. Usage of a stripping foil during the experiment increased the mean charge state of ions, compensated the low and allowed imaging the ion beam with an Image Intensified CCD camera (ICCD). Various experiments, using a non-relativistic beam, have been performed to estimate signal strength and evaluate the working regime of the OTR technique. The precise ICCD gating feature, as well as the emitted light spectrum, was used to distinguish the prompt OTR signal from any background sources with longer emission time constant e.g. blackbody radiation. In this contribution, the results of applying the OTR beam profile monitor technique to a non-relativistic ion beam are presented.

We have investigated nuclear fragmentation reactions of a relativistic Pb-208 beam. Ten isomeric states for nuclei with A = 142-152 and Z = 62-67 were observed. Measured isomeric ratios were compared, together with values from other experiments, with prediction of theoretical models. The discrepancies between the experimental and theoretical values were discussed in terms of transitions by-passing the isomer that are not included in the models.

We report results of ag-factor measurement of the 19/2 T1/2 = 4.5(3) μs isomer inSn, which were carried out within the g-RISING project at GSI, Darmstadt, Germany. The time-differential perturbed angular distribution (TDPAD) method was utilized in the experim ent. Isomers in A ≈ 130 nuclei were populated in relativistic projectile fragment ation of a Xe beam atE/A = 600 MeV/u on a 1024 mg/cm Be production target. Fully-stripped ions were separated with the fr agment separator (FRS), which allowed the preservation of the orientation of the nuclear spin ensemble as obtained in the reaction. The ions were implante d i a Copper plate, which provided a perturbation-free environment for the isomericγ decay. The nuclei of interest were tracked and identified on a n event-byevent basis and ionγ coincidences were recorded. The γ rays deexciting the isomers were detected with eight Cluster Ge detectors mo unted in the horizontal plane perpendicular to a 0.12 T external magneti c fi ld.

The production of heavy neutron-rich nuclei approaching the r-process waiting point at N approximate to 126 has been investigated in fragmentation reactions of relativistic U-238 and Pb-208 projectiles. Using this technique we were able to identify 73 new heavy neutron-rich nuclei expanding considerably the north-west frontier of the chart of nuclide. Moreover, we were able to determine the half lives of 13 of those nuclides. The measured values are significantly shorter than the predictions used for r-process model calculations. These shorter half lives are understood as due to the role of first-forbidden transitions in the decays of these nuclei. The confirmation of these results for r-process nuclei at N approximate to 126 would indicate that the r-process at this point is faster than expected, leading to a larger production of the heaviest nuclei.

Non-intersecting diagnostic devices in hadron accelerators offer continuous online monitoring capability. They also avoid the problem of potential thermal damage in high-current applications. Taking advantage of the residual gasas active material, the Beam InducedFluorescence (BIF) monitor exploitsgasfluorescence in the visible range for transversal profile measurements. Depending on beam parameters and vacuum-constraints, BIF monitors can be operated at base-pressure or in dedicated local pressure bumps up to the mbar range. Nowadays, BIF monitors are investigatedin manyacceleratorlaboratoriesforhadronenergies from about 100 keV up to several 100 GeV. This paper gives an introduction to the measurement principle and typical operating conditions. It summarizes recent investigations, e.g. on different working gases, and it compares various technical realizations.

To cope with the demands of FAIR for UNILAC highcurrent operation, non-intercepting beam diagnostics is mandatory. A new diagnostic for transverse beam profile measurements, the Beam Induced Fluorescence monitor (BIF) was developed. After the first BIF installation in 2008 (Unilac section US1), three new monitors were installed (Unilac section UA4 and transfer-line sections TK2 and TK6) and several upgrades were performed to make the monitors more reliable and easier to use for the upcomming handover to operation. For FAIR several BIF monitors are destined for p-Linac, HEBT and SFRS and it is foreseen to realize all slow controls by Siemens SPS and FESA-based software.

A decay spectroscopic study of the neutron-rich isotopes has been performed using fragmentation of a Kr-86 primary beam. Fragments from this reaction have been selected by the LISE2000 spectrometer at the Grand Accelerateur National d'Ions Lourds (GANIL). Half-lives of 29 isotopes, including the first ones identified for Ti-61 (15 +/- 4 ms), V-64 (19 +/- 8 ms), and Fe-71 (28 +/- 5 ms), have been determined and compared with model predictions. Mn-67,Mn-68 beta-delayed gamma rays were observed for the first time. The branching for the beta-delayed neutron emission was measured to be greater than 10(5)% in the Mn-67 decay. The Fe-67 isomeric level is firmly determined at higher energy than assigned in previous works. The excitation energies of the first (2(+)) and (4(+)) states of Fe-68 are suggested to lie at 522(1) and 1389(1) keV, respectively, thus bringing confirmation of assignments based on in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy. Beyond-mean-field calculations with the Gogny D1S force have been performed for even-mass nuclei through the Fe isotopic chain. Not only Fe-68 but most of the neutron-rich Fe isotopes with neutron numbers below N = 50 are interpreted as soft rotors. The calculated mean occupancy of the neutron g(9/2) and d(5/2) orbitals in correlated ground states is steadily growing with increasing neutron number throughout the isotopic chain. Interpretation of Fe-67 data is based upon the present calculations for the Fe-66 and Fe-68 even cores.

Various scintillation screens were irradiated with Uranium at 269 MeV/u and Carbon at 296 MeV/u over a large intensity range as extracted from the GSI synchrotron SIS18. Their imaging properties were studied with the goal to achieve a precise transverse profile determination. Sensitive scintillators, ceramics and Quartz-glasses were investigated. A linear light yield over four orders of magnitude was found for some materials. For the various screens, remarkable differences up to ρ30 % concerning the image width were determined. CHOICE OF MATERIALS For transverse profile determination, scintillation screens are frequently used [1], because they deliver a high resolution 2-dimentional beam image and can be realized with reasonable cost. For the anti-proton and heavy ion facility FAIR, these devices are foreseen at about 40 locations for profile determination of intense primary beams as well as very low intensity radioactive ion beams. Different materials are investigated with the focus on the dynamic range i.e. the linearity of the light output as a function of beam current. The image quality for profile reproduction is represented by the image width and higher statistical moments.

Heavy neutron-rich nuclei were populated via the fragmentation of a E/A = 1 GeV Pb-208(82) beam. Secondary fragments were separated and identified and subsequently implanted in a passive stopper. By the detection of delayed gamma rays, isomeric decays associated with these nuclei have been identified. A total of 49 isomers were detected, with the majority of them observed for the first time. The newly discovered isomers are in Hg-204,205(80), Au-201,202,204,205(79), Pt-197,203,204(78), Ir-195,199-203(77), Os-193,197-199(76), Re-196(75), W-190,191(74), and Ta-189(73). Possible level schemes are constructed and the structure of the nuclei discussed. To aid the interpretation, shell-model as well as BCS calculations were performed.

Following the fragmentation of a 550 MeV u(-1)primary beam of (58)Ni, time-and energy-correlated gamma decays from isomeric states in neutron-deficient nuclei in the 1f(7/2) shell have been identified using the GSI fragment separator in combination with the RISING Ge-detector array. The results on isomers in the mirror pairs (43)(22)Ti(21)-(43)(21)Sc(22) (I(pi) = 3/2(+) and 19/2(-)), (45)(24)Cr(21)-(45)(21)Sc(24) (I(pi) = 3/2(+)) and (45)(23)V(22)-(45)(22)Ti(23) (I(pi) = 3/2(-)) are discussed in the framework of large scale pf and sdpf shell-model calculations, the former in conjunction with isospin symmetry breaking effects with emphasis on effective charges.

For the operation of the FAIR accelerators, nondestructive beam diagnostics will be essential. At GSI two almost complementary gas-based methods for profile determination have been realized and investigated during the las t decade. For ultra high vacuum conditions in synchrotrons an intensified Ionization Profile Monitor (IPM) was developed [1]. It is installed at GSI SIS-18 and ESR as well as at COSY (FZ-J̈ulich). For the installation in transport-lines, the Beam Induced Fluorescence BIF-monitor, using an image intensifier has been investigated in detail [2]. Meanwhile there are four BIF-stations in operation at the UNILAC. There is a certain overlap in the field of application, so that non-intensified IPMs with electrical readout might be a robust alternative for transfer-lines. Furthermore th ey are more radiation tolerant. Within a collaboration between CEA-Saclay and GSIBD an IPM prototype, designed for the IFMIF/EVEDA facility [3] was characterized at the UNILAC X2-beamline for various beam and gas conditions [4].

Fragmentation reactions of relativistic 238 U and 208 Pb projectiles have been used to investigate the production of heavy neutron-rich nuclei approaching the r-process waiting point at A≈195. The relativistic energies, together with the use of a high resolving-power magnetic spectrometer were key conditions for the unambiguous identification of nuclei in the region of interest. Using this technique we were able to identify 73 new heavy neutron-rich nuclei expanding considerably the north-west frontier of the chart of nuclide. Moreover, we were able to determine the half lives of 13 of those nuclide. The measured values are significantly shorter than the predictions used for r-process model calculations. The confirmation of these results for r-process nuclei at A≈195 would indicate that the r-process at this point is faster than expected, leading to a larger production of the heaviest nuclei. © Copyright owned by the author(s).

The light krypton isotopes were studied in a series of Coulomb excitation experiments using radioactive beams at GANIL. The static quadrupole moments found in these experiments give firm experimental evidence for the shape coexistence scenario that is based on theoretical calculations and on the systematics of low-lying excited 0 + states. The experimental results are interpreted within a phenomenological two-band mixing model. Configuration mixing calculations based on triaxial Hartree-Fock-Bogolyubov calculations with the Gogny D1S effective interaction have been performed and compared to experimental data.