XUNDL Status Report: (May 21, 2005 – May 31, 2007)

1. XUNDL Status Report:(May 21, 2005 – May 31, 2007) B. Singh, S. Geraedts, M. Mitchell, J.C. Roediger (McMaster) D.F. Winchell, J.K. Tuli, T.W. Burrows (NNDC, BNL) NSDD-2007, St. Petersburg, Russia: June. 11-15, 2007

2. Purpose and Overview • To provide prompt and convenient web access to current publications in experimental nuclear-structure data (level-scheme information) through on-line retrieval at BNL; RADWARE at ORNL and Isotope-Explorer at LBNL. • ENSDF-formatted datasets compiled from one paper, or a set of related papers from the same group. • Covers high- and low-spin reaction and decay papers. Daily perusal of web pages of primary nuclear physics journals (PR-C, EPJ-A, PRL, NP-A, PL-B, JP-G, IJMP-E) • Compilation work done primarily at McMaster. Database management at NNDC.

3. Purpose and Overview con’t • Keeping up-to-date with the published literature, communication with original authors, and training of undergraduate students in basic nuclear physics, familiarity with ENSDF, XUNDL and NSR databases; and computer codes: PDF to TEXT to ENSDF; FMTCHK; PANDORA: ENSDAT; Isotope-Explorer; GTOL; BrIcc; LOGFT. • Various steps of compilation procedures have been described at earlier USNDP and NSDD meetings. • Although the datasets are called as “unevaluated”, each dataset is sort of internally evaluated through consistency checks and communication with the authors about data-related problems and unpublished data.

4. Current Contents of XUNDL • Since the start in December 1998, 2225 datasets added up to May 31, 2007; over 300K lines of data. • Covers mainly high-spin structures; but since 2003, most low-spin papers have also been compiled. • 1345 nuclides: 7Li to 288115, spread over ~253 A-chains; few datasets for hypernuclides also. • Data from over ~1700 primary references published mainly during 1995 – 2007: year-wise distribution: 2007-1995: 50, 185; 205; 175; 140; 151; 142; 145; 125; 130; 64; 66; 59

5. Work during May 21, 2005-May 31, 2007 • 715 datasets compiled since May 21, 2005; which include data from about 300 publications, ~55 in 2007 alone. • 47 existing datasets revised/updated based on new papers from previous authors/groups • McMaster undergraduate students: Max Mitchell and Joel Roediger participated in XUNDL work from May 21, 2005 to April 2007. • A new undergraduate student, Scott Geraedts started in February 2007 and has undergone training in the XUNDL compilation procedures and basic knowledge of nuclear physics and spectroscopy. • Except for about 12 papers published in journal web pages in the last few weeks, we are current on the compilation of high- and low-spin primary publications. These papers have been compiled but not yet checked.

6. Communication with authors • Authors of original papers frequently contacted to resolve data-related errors (inconsistencies) and/or to request additional details of data which are often lacking in publications due to space limitations or other reasons • Generally, prompt and useful response received from the authors • In cases where we received preprints, data-related errors pointed out to authors were corrected prior to actual publications of paper. In other cases, authors have published errata based on our communications with them about data-related problems. • Since June 2005, compilation of ~70 e-mail communications containing additional information (data) and/or clarifications was sent to BNL (for archival purposes) in Sept 2006, as a composite computer file and in print version

9. Some difficult examples • No details of data available, neither in the publication nor through requests from the authors: Examples: • 161Lu and 170Hf in PR-C (2006) • 58Ni: perhaps the most complex high-spin level scheme About PR-C papers, communicated with an Assoc. Editor of PRC. First reply appeared encouraging, subsequent response not so.

10. Illegible in many places

11. Illegible in many places

12. ~600 γ rays D. Rudolph et al, Acta Phys Pol B 32, 703 (2001)

13. ENSDF coverage of Nuclei at the Limits of Stability • First primary papers on new Nuclides at the limits of Stability: bound and unbound. • First primary paper about excited states in nuclides at the limits of stability. • As part of XUNDL activity, we routinely compile papers containing types of discoveries stated above. • With some extra work, we can prepare datasets for inclusion in ENSDF. • Advantage: prompt inclusion of such important data in ENSDF, NUDAT and other related databases. • If necessary, the datasets can first be sent to the center responsible for that mass region for the purpose of approval of a dataset prior to entry in ENSDF. • This point was discussed at US-NDP-06 meeting in November 2006. There was a general agreement.

14. Estimation of number of Detailed (ENSDF-relevant) Publications per Year • We estimate average of ~180 primary (and detailed) papers/year relevant to ENSDF for all mass chains. These are the type of papers which we compile for XUNDL • This suggests an average of about 1-2 paper per mass chain/year in the active regions. • This may suggest that a mass chain needs to be published in NDS every 10-12 years or so, not earlier. Earlier proposed cycle times of 4-5 years were never met and perhaps not recommendable either.

17. Conclusions • Compiled datasets in XUNDL are being used by ENSDF evaluators in their A-chain/nuclide evaluation work, which may be helping the ENSDF evaluation process. • Based on our XUNDL compilations, we have undertaken to prepare ENSDF datasets when either first (primary) papers appear on the identification of new nuclides (bound or unbound) or first published reports of excited states (mainly) for nuclei at the limits of stability. • Future of XUNDL ?: If this database is useful and to continue on a long-term basis, it is perhaps time to consider participation by other data centers in compilations. For 2-3 years we will continue the activity at McMaster, but it may get scaled down after that.