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At least 127 records · Page 7

The convergence of quadrupole rotational invariants from the nuclear shell model

Nuclei exhibit both single-particle and collective degrees of freedom, with the latter often subdivided into vibrational and rotational motions. Experimentally identifying the relative roles of these collective modes is extremely challenging, particularly in the face of possible shape coexistence. Model-independent, invariant quantities describing the deformation of a nucleus in the intrinsic frame have long been known but their determination potentially requires a large quantity of experimental data to achieve convergence. Through comparison with the nuclear shell model, the question of convergence is addressed. Shell-model calculations performed in the sd- and pf-shell model spaces are used to determine electric-quadrupole matrix elements for a multitude of low-lying states using the first 40 states of the relevant spins. Relative contributions to the rotationally invariant quantities from multiple states can therefore be determined. It is found that, on average, the inclusion of four intermediate states results in the leading-order invariant, $\langle\hat{Q^2}\rangle$, converging to within 10% of its true value and the triaxiality term, cos (3δ), converging to its true value, though some variance remains. Higher-order quantities relating to the softness of the nuclear shape are found to converge more slowly. The convergence of quadrupole rotationally invariant sum rules was quantified in the sd- and pf-shell model spaces and indicates the challenge inherent in a full determination of nuclear shape. The present study is limited to relatively small valence spaces. Finally, larger spaces, such as the rare-earth region, potentially offer faster convergence.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Quadrupole and octupole collectivity in 143 Ba

The neutron-rich barium nuclei have been the subject of intense interest due to the enhanced octupole correlations they are predicted to exhibit. The observation of enhanced octupole collectivity in 144,146 Ba as measured in sub-barrier Coulomb excitation, consistent with static octupole deformation, has further heightened this interest. In the present work, these studies are extended to the neighboring odd-mass 143 Ba to investigate the interplay between single-particle and collective octupole degrees of freedom. A new measurement of the first 9/2 – -state lifetime is also presented. Reflection-Asymmetric Triaxial Particle Rotor Model calculations indicate that the negative-parity bands in 143 Ba can be understood as a decoupled structure of νh 9/2 parentage, while the positiveparity bands are built on a decoupled octupole phonon. Here, no evidence for E3 excitation is observed in this work, but an upper limit is placed on the E3 matrix element to the lowest octupole band.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Ground-state and decay properties of neutron-rich 106 Nb

The ground-state properties of neutron-rich 106 Nb and its β decay into 106 Mo have been studied using the CARIBU radioactive-ion-beam facility at Argonne National Laboratory. Niobium-106 ions were extracted from a 252 Cf fission source and mass separated before being delivered as low-energy beams to the Canadian Penning Trap, as well as the X-Array and SATURN β-decay-spectroscopy station. The measured 106 Nb ground-state mass excess of –66202.0(13) keV is consistent with a recent measurement but has three times better precision; this work also rules out the existence of a second long-lived, β-decaying state in 106 Nb above 5 keV in excitation energy. The decay half-life of 106 Nb was measured to be 1.097(21) s, which is 8% longer than the adopted value. Here, the level scheme of the decay progeny, 106 Mo, has been expanded up to ≈ 4 MeV. The distribution of decay strength and considerable population of excited states in 106 Mo of J ≥ 3 emphasizes the need to revise the adopted J π = 1 – ground-state spin-parity assignment of 106 Nb; it is more likely to be J ≥ 3.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Nucleon-pair coupling scheme in Elliott's SU(3) model

Elliott's SU(3) model is at the basis of the shell-model description of rotational motion in atomic nuclei. Here we demonstrate that SU(3) symmetry can be realized in a truncated shell-model space if constructed in terms of a sufficient number of collective S, D, G,...pairs (i.e., with angular momentum zero, two, four,...) and if the structure of the pairs is optimally determined either by a conjugate-gradient minimization method or from a Hartree-Fock intrinsic state. We illustrate the procedure for six protons and six neutrons in the pf (sdg) shell and exactly reproduce the level energies and electric quadrupole properties of the ground-state rotational band with SDG (SDGI) pairs. The SD-pair approximation without significant renormalization, on the other hand, cannot describe the full SU(3) collectivity. A mapping from Elliott's fermionic SU(3) model to systems with s, d, g,... bosons provides insight into the existence of a decoupled collective subspace in terms of S, D, G,... pairs.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Shapes, softness, and nonyrast collectivity in 186 W

Nonyrast, excited states in neutron-rich 186 W were populated via inelastic-scattering reactions using beams of 136 Xe nuclei accelerated to 725 and 800 MeV. Levels populated in the reactions were investigated via particle-γ coincidence techniques using the Gammasphere array of high-purity germanium detectors and the compact heavy-ion counter, CHICO2. The K π = 2 + (γ ), K π = 0 + and K π = 2 – (octupole) rotational side bands were extended to spins 14h¯, 12h¯, and 13h¯, respectively. A staggering pattern observed in the energies of levels in the K π = 2 + band was found to be consistent with a potential that gets softer to vibration in the γ degree of freedom with increasing spin. Furthermore, the odd-even staggering of states in the K π = 2 – band was found to exhibit a phase opposite to that seen in the γ band; an effect most probably associated with Coriolis coupling to other, unobserved octupole vibrational bands in 186 W.

150 ≤ A ≤ 189↗

Forward doubly-virtual Compton scattering off an unpolarized deuteron in pionless effective field theory

In this work, we calculate the forward unpolarised doubly-virtual Compton scattering (VVCS) off the deuteron in the framework of pionless effective field theory, up to next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N3LO) for the longitudinal and next-to-leading order (NLO) for the transverse amplitude. The charge elastic form factor of the deuteron, obtained from the residue of the longitudinal VVCS amplitude, is used to extract the value of the single unknown two-nucleon one-photon contact coupling that enters the longitudinal amplitude at N3LO. We also study the lowest spin-independent generalised polarisabilities of the deuteron. The calculated unpolarised VVCS amplitude provides a high-precision model-independent input for a future calculation of the two-photon-exchange correction to the Lamb shift of muonic deuterium.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Identification of a new isomeric state in 76 Zn following the β decay of 76 Cu

Background: The evolution of nuclear shell structure far from stability can be explored by identifying and measuring the properties of isomers. Neutron-rich nuclei between the Z = 28 and Z = 50 closed shells have been the subject of recent studies which have identified a number of 0.1 - 10 µs isomers and measured detailed spectroscopic properties. Purpose: The purpose of this analysis was to identify and measure the properties of short-lived isomeric states populated following β decay in Z ≈ 30, N ≈ 50 nuclei near the doubly magic nucleus 78 Ni. Methods: Here, radioactive ions produced by beam fragmentation at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory were implanted into a CeBr 3 scintillator coupled to a pixelated photomultiplier tube. Ancillary arrays of HPGe clover and LaBr 3 detectors were positioned around the implantation detector to measure β-delayed γ rays. Results: The previously observed 2634-keV level in 76 Zn, populated following the β decay of 76 Cu, was identified as isomeric with a half-life of 25.4(4) ns. A combination of timing and γ-ray spectroscopy was used to confirm this assignment. Shell-model calculations were performed and indicate that this state may be a high-spin negativeparity state formed by the occupation of the ν0g 9/2 orbital. Conclusions: A new isomeric state in 76 Zn has been identified and its half-life was measured. Ambiguity about the structure of this state could be resolved with further experiments.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Signature splitting of the g 7 / 2 [ 404 ] 7 / 2 + bands in Ba 131 and Ce 133

Excited states in Ba 131 and Ce 133 were studied using in-beam γ -ray spectroscopy through the Sn 122 ( C 13 , 4 n ) Ba 131 and Te 125 ( C 12 , 4 n ) Ce 133 reactions, respectively. A strongly coupled band, associated with the ν g 7 / 2 [ 404 ] 7 / 2 + configuration, was identified in Ba 131 and Ce 133 . It is the first time to observe the ν g 7 / 2 [ 404 ] 7 / 2 + bands in the N = 75 isotones. The signature partners exhibit considerable energy splitting in comparison with those in the π g 7 / 2 [ 404 ] 7 / 2 + bands in the odd- A Ta and Re isotopes. Here, extensive cranked shell model and quasiparticle-plus-triaxial-rotor model calculations reveal the origin of the signature splitting, which depends not only on the triaxiality, but also on the configuration mixing with nearby low- j orbitals.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Complete set of bound negative-parity states in the neutron-rich nucleus 18 N

High-resolution γ -ray spectroscopy of N 18 is performed with the Advanced GAmma Tracking Array, following deep-inelastic processes induced by an O 18 beam on a Ta 181 target. Six states are newly identified, which together with the three known excitations exhaust all negative-parity excited states expected in N 18 below the neutron threshold. Spin and parities are proposed for all located states on the basis of decay branchings and comparison with large-scale shell-model calculations performed in the p-sd space, with the YSOX interaction. Of particular interest is the location of the 0 1 - and 1 2 - excitations, which provide strong constrains for cross-shell p-sd matrix elements based on realistic interactions and help to simultaneously reproduce the ground and first-excited states in N 16 and N 18 , for the first time. Overall, understanding the N 18 structure may also have significant impact on neutron-capture cross-section calculations in r-process modeling including light neutron-rich nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Ab initio coupled-cluster calculations of ground and dipole excited states in He 8

We perform coupled-cluster calculations of ground- and dipole excited-state properties of the 8 He halo nucleus with nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon interactions from chiral effective field theory, both with and without explicit delta degrees of freedom. By increasing the precision in our coupled-cluster calculations via the inclusion of leading-order three-particle three-hole excitations in the cluster operator, we obtain a ground-state energy and a charge radius that are consistent with experiment, albeit with a slight underbinding. We also investigate the excited states induced by the electric dipole operator and present a discussion on the Thomas-Reiche-Kuhn and cluster sum rules. Lastly, we compute the electric dipole polarizability, providing a theoretical benchmark for future experimental determinations that will study this exotic nucleus.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗

Nuclear states projected from a pair condensate

Atomic nuclei exhibit deformation, pairing correlations, and rotational symmetries. To meet these competing demands in a computationally tractable formalism, we revisit the use of general pair condensates with good particle number as a trial wave function for even-even nuclei. After minimizing the energy of the condensate, allowing for general triaxial deformations, we project out states with good angular momentum with a fast projection technique. To show applicability, we present example calculations from pair condensates in several model spaces and compare against angular-momentum projected Hartree-Fock and full configuration-interaction shell-model calculations. This approach successfully generates spherical, vibrational, and rotational spectra, demonstrating potential for modeling medium- to heavy-mass nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Revised decay properties of the key 93-keV resonance in the Mg 25 ( p , γ ) reaction and its influence on the MgAl cycle in astrophysical environments

The γ-decay properties of an excited state in 26 Al at 6398.3(8) keV have been reexamined using the 11 B+ 16 O fusion-evaporation reaction. This level represents a key 93.1(8)-keV resonance in the 25 Mg+p system and its relative branching to the 26 Al ground state, f 0 , has been determined to be 0.76 ± 0.03 (stat.) ± 0.10 (syst.). Furthermore, this is a significantly higher value than the most recent evaluation and implies a considerable increase in the production of cosmic γ rays from 26 Al radioactivity.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Investigation of B 11 and Ca 40 levels at 8–9 MeV by nuclear resonance fluorescence

Here, we report on the measurement of 11 B and 40 Ca levels between excitation energies of 8 and 9 MeV using nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF). The experiment was carried out with nearly monoenergetic and linearly polarized photon beams provided by the High-Intensity γ-ray Source (HIγS) facility at the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL). States in 11 B are important for calibrations of NRF measurements, while the properties of 40 Ca levels impact potassium nucleosynthesis in globular clusters. For 40 Ca, we report on improved excitation energies and an unambiguous 2¯ assignment for the state at 8425 keV. For 11 B, we obtained improved values for γ-ray multipolarity mixing ratios and branching ratios of the 8920-keV level.

39 ≤ A ≤ 58↗

Identification of excited states in Bi 188 and Po 188

The neutron-deficient 188 Bi and 188 Po isotopes have been studied by γ-ray spectroscopy using the recoil-decay tagging technique with the Argonne Gas-Filled Analyzer. A new 0.25(5)-μs isomeric state and a prompt cascade formed by 319-, 366-, and 462-keV γ rays have been established on top of the (10¯) α -decaying isomer in 188 Bi. The first excited (2 + ) state in 188 Po was identified, its excitation energy of 242(2) keV continues the nearly constant trend for the first 2 + states in 190, 192,194 Po. Here, the state is most likely a member of a prolate rotational band built on the ground state, albeit mixing with other coexisting configurations cannot be excluded. The new results obtained in the present work provide new information to shape coexistence in bismuth and polonium isotopes near the neutron midshell at N = 104 . In this mass region, a reduction in the prompt γ-ray yield obtained with recoil decay tagging was observed for a few nuclides, and the possible reasons are presented.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗