Muon capture and nuclear giant resonances
Interrelation of giant resonance excitations by muon capture with other electromagnetic and weak excitations
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Interrelation of giant resonance excitations by muon capture with other electromagnetic and weak excitations
A spin, isotopic-spin formalism for the production of pions due to decays of isobar giant resonances formed in peripheral heavy-ion collisions is presented. The projectile nucleus isobar giant resonance state is assumed to coherently form and then incoherently decay to produce the pions. Total spin and isotopic spin for the system are conserved through the concomitant excitation of the target nucleus to an isobaric analog giant resonance state. Comparisons of the predicted total pion cross sections, over a range of energies, are made with heavy-ion pion data.
𝛾 decays of the isovector giant dipole resonance (IVGDR) of the deformed nucleus 154 Sm were measured using 2$^{+}_{1}$-Smekal-Raman and elastic scattering of linearly polarized, quasimonochromatic photon beams. The two scattering processes were disentangled through their distinct angular distributions. Their branching ratio and cross sections were determined at six excitation energies covering the 154 Sm IVGDR. Both agree with the predictions of the geometrical model for the IVGDR and confirm 𝛾 decay as an observable sensitive to the structure of the resonance. Consequently, the data place strong constraints on the nuclear shape, including the degree of triaxiality. The derived 154 Sm shape parameters 𝛽 = 0.2925(25) and 𝛾 = 5.0(15)° agree well with other measurements and recent Monte Carlo shell-model calculations.
Using the ab initio symmetry-adapted no-core–shell model, we compute sum rules and response functions for light to medium-mass nuclei, starting from interactions that are derived in the chiral effective field theory. Specifically, we investigate electromagnetic transitions of monopole, dipole and quadrupole nature for 4 He, and explore dominant features of giant monopole resonances in symmetric nuclei such as the closed-shell 4 He and 16 O light nuclei, the intermediate-mass open-shell 20 Ne and the medium-mass closed-shell 40 Ca. Furthermore, for the NNLO opt chiral potential, we determine parameter-free monopole sum rules, which can provide information on the incompressibility of symmetric nuclear matter. Here, we report 213(10) MeV as an estimate for the compression modulus for infinite nuclear matter, which overlaps with the lower range of values often used in current astrophysical applications.
Total cross sections angular distributions, and spectral distributions for the exclusive production of charged and neutral subthreshold pions produced in peripheral nucleus-nucleus collisions are calculated by using a particle-hole formalism. The pions result from the formation and decay of an isobar giant resonance state formed in a C-12 nucleus. From considerations of angular momentum conservation and for the sake of providing a unique experimental signature, the other nucleus, chosen for this work to be C-12 also, is assumed to be excited to one of its isovector (1+) giant resonance states. The effects of nucleon recoil by the pion emission are included, and Pauli blocking and pion absorption effects are studied by varying the isobar width. Detailed comparisons with experimental subthreshold pion data for incident energies between 35 and 86 MeV/nucleon are made.
We derive the fully self-consistent quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) equations with noniterative finite amplitude methods and calculate the transition strengths of giant resonances. Then, we apply the QRPA results to both neutron radiative capture calculations based on the statistical Hauser-Feshbach theory and inelastic scattering calculations based on distorted-wave Born approximation (DWBA). We compare the calculated results with available experimental data and demonstrate how our approach can reproduce giant resonances and various nuclear reactions.
A differential cross section for pi-meson production in peripheral heavy-ion collisions is formulated within the context of a particle-hole model in the Tamm-Dancoff approximation. This is the first attempt at a fully quantum-mechanical particle-hole calculation for pion production in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. The particular reaction studied is an O-16 projectile colliding with a C-12 target at rest. In the projectile a linear combination of isobar-hole states is formed, with the possibility of a coherent isobar giant resonance. The target can be excited to its giant M1 resonance (J-pi = 1(+), T = 1) at 15.11 MeV, or to its isobar analog neighbors, B-12 at 13.4 MeV and N-12 at 17.5 MeV. The theory is compared to recent experimental results.
The zirconium isotopes exhibit structural properties that present multiple challenges to nuclear theory. Investigations of the coupling present within isoscalar modes and within isovector modes are scarce but important for advancing our understanding of the microscopic picture of nuclei. To explore some of these underlying coupling features, and to test the predictive power of a state-of-the-art nuclear structure approach, we provide a detailed analysis of the properties of 90,96,98 Zr . This region includes a benchmarking case and offers insights into nuclear deformation phenomena. Here, to investigate the coupling between collective modes in deformed nuclei, we focused our analysis on the ground and excited-state properties of these isotopes, employing a consistent approach with the axially symmetric deformed Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) and the quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA) framework, both using the Gogny D1M force. This approach effectively describes both low-lying and giant-resonance states. We devoted special attention to the deformed 98 Zr nucleus, where we confirm the existence of coupling between monopole and quadrupole excitations through the 𝐾 𝜋 = 0 + QRPA components and demonstrate an analogous dipole-octupole coupling through the 𝐾 𝜋 = 0 − and 𝐾 𝜋 = 1 − components. Intrinsic transition densities and associated radial projections illustrate the coupling. Our work complements and extends earlier studies carried out using density-functional-based methods and notably, we included the complete Coulomb interaction also in the pairing fields, i.e., we treat terms exactly that are approximated in typical calculations that use the Gogny D1 and D2 interaction families.
The Zirconium isotopes exhibit structural properties that present multiple challenges to nuclear theory. Investigations of the coupling present within isoscalar modes and within isovector modes are scarce but important for advancing our understanding of the microscopic picture of nuclei. To explore some of these underlying coupling features, and to test the predictive power of a state-of the-art nuclear structure approach, we provide a detailed analysis of the properties of 90,96,98Zr. This region includes a benchmarking case and offers insights into nuclear deformation phenomena. To investigate the coupling between collective modes in deformed nuclei, we focused our analysis on the ground and excited-state properties of these isotopes, employing a consistent approach with the axially-symmetric deformed Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) and the Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation (QRPA) framework, both using the Gogny D1M force. This approach effectively describes both low-lying and giant-resonance states. We devoted special attention to the deformed 98Zr nucleus, where we confirm the existence of coupling between monopole and quadrupole excitations through the K π = 0 + QRPA components and demonstrate an analogous dipole-octupole coupling through the K π = 0 − and K π = 1 − components. Intrinsic transition densities and associ ated radial projections illustrate the coupling. Our work complements and extends earlier studies carried out using density-functional-based methods and notably, we included the complete Coulomb interaction also in the pairing fields, i.e. we treat terms exactly that are approximated in typical calculations that use the Gogny D1 and D2 interaction families.
Angular distribution of outcoming gamma radiation associated with giant dipole resonance in Si super 28 nucleus
Extreme light confinement in plasmonic nanosystems enables novel applications in photonics, sensor technology, energy harvesting, biology, and quantum information processing. Fullerenes represent an extreme case for nanoplasmonics: they are sub-nanometer carbon- based molecules showing high-energy and ultrabroad plasmon resonances, however the fundamental mechanisms driving the plasmonic response and the corresponding collective electron dynamics are still elusive. Here, we uncover the dominant role of electron correlations in the dynamics of the giant plasmon resonance (GPR) of the sub-nanometer system C60 by employing attosecond photoemission chronoscopy. We find a characteristic photoemission delay of up to about 300 attoseconds that is purely induced by coherent large-scale electron correlations in the plasmonic potential. These results provide novel insights into the nature of the plasmon resonances in sub-nanometer systems and open new perspectives for advancing nanoplasmonic applications.
Secular resonances in the early solar system are investigated with the aim of establishing constraints on the time scale and method of solar nebula dispersal. Simplified nebula models and dispersal routines are used to approximate changes in an assumed axisymmetric nebula potential. These changes drive an evolutionary sequence of Laplace-Lagrange solutions for the secular variations of the solar system. These sequences are characterized by a sweep of one or more giant planet resonances through the inner solar system. Their effect is rate-dependent; characteristic dispersal times of not greater than 10,000 to 100,000 years are required to avoid the generation of terrestrial eccentricities and inclinations in excess of observed values.
Electric dipole strength near the neutron separation energy significantly impacts nuclear structure properties and astrophysical scenarios. These excitations are complex in nature and may involve the so-called pygmy dipole resonance (PDR). Transition densities play a crucial role in understanding the nature of nuclear excited states, including collective excitations, as well as in constructing transition potentials in DWBA or coupled-channels equations. In this work, we focus on electric dipole excitations in spherical molybdenum isotopes, particularly 96 Mo, employing fully consistent Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) and Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation (QRPA) methods. We analyze the dipole strength near the neutron separation energy, which represents the threshold for neutron capture processes, and examine the isospin characteristics of PDR states through transition density calculations. Examination of proton and neutron transition densities reveals distinctive features of each dipole state, indicating their isoscalar and isovector nature. We observe that the primary component in the enhanced low-energy region exhibits isovector character. The PDR displays a mixture of isoscalar and isovector nature, distinguishing it from the isovector giant dipole resonance (IVGDR). These findings lay the groundwork for future investigations into the role of transition densities in reaction models and for their application to inelastic scattering calculations.
The nuclear two-photon or double-gamma (2 γ ) decay is a second-order electromagnetic process whereby a nucleus in an excited state emits two gamma rays simultaneously. To be able to directly measure the 2 γ decay rate in the low-energy regime below the electron-positron pair-creation threshold, we combined the isochronous mode of a storage ring with Schottky resonant cavities. The newly developed technique can be applied to isomers with excitation energies down to ~100 keV and half-lives as short as ~10 ms. The half-life for the 2 γ decay of the first-excited 0 + state in bare 72 Ge ions was determined to be 23.9(6) ms, which strongly deviates from expectations.
The isovector response in 12 B was investigated via the 12 C ( 10 Be, 10 B + 𝛾) 12 B* reaction at 100𝐴MeV. By utilizing the 𝛾-decay properties of the 1.74 MeV 0 + and 0.718 MeV 1 + states in 10 B, the separate extraction of the non-spin-transfer (Δ𝑆 = 0) and spin-transfer (Δ𝑆 = 1) isovector responses up to an excitation energy of 50 MeV in 12 B in a single measurement is demonstrated. The experimental setup employed the S800 spectrometer to detect and analyze the 10 B ejectiles and the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array (GRETINA) for obtaining the Doppler-reconstructed spectrum for 𝛾 rays emitted in flight by 10 B. A 12 C foil was placed at the pivot point of the spectrograph. Here, the 12 B reaction product was not detected. Contributions from transitions associated with the transfer of different units of angular momentum in the non-spin- and spin-transfer responses were analyzed using a multipole decomposition analysis. The extracted non-spin-dipole (Δ𝑆 = 0, Δ𝐿 = 1) and spin-dipole (Δ𝑆 = 1, Δ𝐿 = 1) responses were found to be consistent with available data from other charge-exchange probes, validating the non-spin- and spin-transfer filters used. While statistical uncertainties and experimental resolutions were relatively large due to the modest intensity of the 10 Be secondary beam, the results show that, with the much higher intensities that will be available at new rare-isotope beam facilities, the ( 10 Be, 10 B + 𝛾) reaction and its Δ𝑇 𝑧 = −1 partner, the ( 10 C, 10 B + 𝛾) reaction, are powerful tools for elucidating the isovector non-spin- and spin-transfer responses in nuclei.
Electromagnetic multipole responses are key inputs to model the structure, decay, and reactions of atomic nuclei. With the introduction of the finite amplitude method (FAM), large-scale calculations of the nuclear linear response in heavy deformed nuclei have become possible. This work provides a detailed study of multipole responses in actinide nuclei with Skyrme energy density functionals. We quantify both systematic and statistical uncertainties induced by the functional parametrization in FAM calculations. We also extend the FAM formalism to perform blocking calculations with the equal filling approximation for odd-mass and odd-odd nuclei, and analyze the impact of blocking configurations on the response. In conclusion, by examining the entire plutonium isotopic chain from the proton to the neutron drip line, we find a large variability of the response with the neutron number and study how it correlates with the deformation of the nuclear ground state.
We compute nuclear response functions by solving the time-dependent 𝐴-body Schrödinger equation, recording the time-dependent transition moment and extracting spectral information via Fourier transforms. The solution of the time-dependent many-body problem accounts for correlations on top of the mean field by taking advantage of a time-dependent formulation of coupled-cluster theory. As a validation, we focus on electric dipole transitions in 4 He and 16 O and compare moments of the response function distribution to the results of an equivalent static framework, finding negligible discrepancies. We investigate how proton and neutron densities evolve in time, and we see the traditional picture of soft and giant dipole resonances as collective oscillations of protons and neutrons emerging from our calculations in 16 O and 24 O. Furthermore, this method also allows us to investigate the behavior of the nucleus in the presence of a strong electric field. In that regime, the behavior of the system becomes chaotic. Qualitatively, the spectral information obtained in this limit is in line with previous time-dependent mean-field results.
We extend the spherical coupled-cluster ab initio method for open-shell nuclei where two nucleons are removed from a shell subclosure. Following the recent implementation of the two-particle-attached approach [Phys. Rev. C 110, 044306 (2024)], we focus on the two-particle-removed method. Using the equations-of-motion framework, we address both nuclear structure and dipole response functions by coupling coupled-cluster theory with the Lorentz integral transform technique. We perform calculations using chiral interactions, including three-nucleon forces, and estimate many-body uncertainties by comparing different coupled-cluster truncation schemes. Here, we validate our approach by studying ground-state energies, excited states, and electric dipole polarizabilities in the oxygen and calcium isotopic chains. For binding energies and selected low-lying excited states, we achieve an accuracy comparable to that of the established closed-shell coupled-cluster theory and generally agree with experiment. Finally, we underestimate experimental data for electric dipole polarizabilities, particularly in calcium isotopes.