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At least 307 records · Page 17

Structure of rotational bands in 109 Rh

Rotational bands in 109 Rh are investigated in a simple model and in the interacting boson-fermion model. We have developed a solvable extended transitional Hamiltonian by adding a two-configuration mixing term. Results suggest that 109 Rh is a good candidate for triaxiality and shape coexistence. Mixing between 3/2 + states with K = 1/2 and 3/2 is found to be weak, as evidenced by the E2 strengths.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

From noise to information: The transfer function formalism for uncertainty quantification in reconstructing the nuclear density

The neutron distribution of neutron-rich nuclei provides critical information on the structure of finite nuclei and neutron stars. Parity violating experiments—such as PREX and CREX—provide a clean and largely model-independent determination of neutron densities. Such experiments, however, are challenging and expensive, which is why sound statistical arguments are required to maximize the information gained. We introduce a new framework, the “transfer function formalism,” aimed at uncertainty quantification, model selection, and experimental design in the context of neutron densities. The transfer functions (TFs) are built analytically by expressing the linear response of the objective function (e.g., χ2) to small perturbations of the data. Using the TF formalism, we are able to analyze the expected overall uncertainty—quantified in terms of bias and variance—of the mean square radius and interior density of 48 Ca and 208 Pb. Using relativistic mean field models as a proxy for the weak-charge density—and assuming that a total of five measurements could be performed on the weak form factor of 48 Ca and 208 Pb—we identify the optimal models and experimental locations that minimize the uncertainty in the extraction of the radius and interior density. We also explore the use of the TF formalism to understand the influence of prior distributions for the model parameters, as well as the optimization of model hyperparameters not constrained by the data. Here,we establish how the choice of experimental locations and the model that is used can have a significant impact on the final uncertainties of the extracted quantities of interest. For challenging experiments such as CREX and PREX, a proper quantification of such uncertainties is critical. We have demonstrated how the TF formalism provides several advantages for this type of analysis.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Nucleon-pair approximation for nuclei from spherical to deformed regions

Here we model low-lying states of atomic nuclei in the nucleon-pair approximation of the shell model, using three approaches to select collective nucleon pairs: the generalized seniority scheme, the conjugate gradient method, and the Hartree-Fock approach. We find the collective pairs obtained from the generalized seniority scheme provide a good description for nearly spherical nuclei, and those from the conjugate gradient method or the Hartree-Fock approach work well for transitional and deformed nuclei. Our NPA calculations using collective pairs with angular momenta 0, 2, and 4 (denoted by S D G pairs) reproduce the nuclear shape evolution in the N = 26 isotones, Ca 46 , Ti 48 , Cr 50 , and Fe 52 , and yield good agreement with full configuration-interaction calculations of low-lying states in medium-heavy transitional and deformed nuclei: Ti 44 – 48 , Cr 48 , Cr 50 , Fe 52 , Zn 60 – 64 , Ge 64 , 66 , Mo 84 , and Xe 108 – 112 . Finally, using the S D G I -pair approximation we describe low-lying states of Ba 112 , 114 , cases difficult to reach by conventional configuration-interaction methods.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Lifetime measurements in the even-even Cd 102 – 108 isotopes

The heaviest T z = 0 doubly-magic nucleus, Sn 100 , and the neighboring nuclei offer unique opportunities to investigate the properties of nuclear interaction. For instance, the structure of light-Sn nuclei has been shown to be affected by the delicate balance between nuclear-interaction components, such as pairing and quadrupole correlations. From Cd to Te, many common features and phenomena have been observed experimentally along the isotopic chains, leading to theoretical studies devoted to a more general and comprehensive study of the region. In this context, having only two proton holes in the Z = 50 shell, the Cd isotopes are expected to present properties similar to those found in the Sn isotopic chain. The aim of this work was to measure lifetimes of excited states in neutron-deficient nuclei in the vicinity of Sn 100 . Here, the neutron-deficient nuclei in the N ≈ Z ≈ 50 region were populated using a multinucleon transfer reaction with a Cd 106 beam and a Mo 92 target. The beamlike products were identified by the VAMOS + + spectrometer, while the γ rays were detected using the AGATA array. Lifetimes of excited states were determined using the recoil distance Doppler-shift method, employing the Cologne differential plunger. Lifetimes of low-lying states were measured in the even-mass Cd 102 – 108 isotopes. In particular, multiple states with excitation energy up to ≈ 3 MeV, belonging to various bands, were populated in Cd 106 via inelastic scattering. The transition strengths corresponding to the measured lifetimes were compared with those resulting from state-of-the-art beyond-mean-field calculations using the symmetry-conserving configuration-mixing approach. Conclusions: Despite the similarities in the electromagnetic properties of the low-lying states, there is a fundamental structural difference between the ground-state bands in the Z = 48 and Z = 50 isotopes. The comparison between experimental and theoretical results revealed a rotational character of the Cd nuclei, which have prolate-deformed ground states with β 2 ≈ 0.2 . At this deformation Z = 48 becomes a closed-shell configuration, which is favored with respect to the spherical one.

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↗

Semiclassical shell-structure micro-macroscopic approach for the level density

Level density ρ(E,A) is derived for a one-component nucleon system with a given energy E and particle number A within the mean-field semiclassical periodic-orbit theory beyond the saddle-point method of the Fermi gas model. We obtain ρ∝I ν (S)/S ν , with I ν (S) being the modified Bessel function of the entropy S. Within the micro-macro-canonical approximation (MMA), for a small thermal excitation energy U, with respect to rotational excitations E rot , one obtains ν = 3/2 for ρ(E,A). In the case of excitation energy U larger than E rot but smaller than the neutron separation energy, one finds a larger value of ν = 5/2. A role of the fixed spin variables for rotating nuclei is discussed. The MMA level density ρ reaches the well-known grand-canonical ensemble limit (Fermi gas asymptote) for large S related to large excitation energies, and also reaches the finite micro-canonical limit for small combinatorial entropy S at low excitation energies (the constant “temperature” model). Fitting the ρ(E,A) of the MMA to the experimental data for low excitation energies, taking into account shell and, qualitatively, pairing effects, one obtains for the inverse level density parameter K a value which differs essentially from that parameter derived from data on neutron resonances.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Investigation of the ground-state spin inversion in the neutron-rich Cl 47 , 49 isotopes

A first γ -ray study of Cl 47 , 49 spectroscopy was performed at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory with Ar 50 projectiles at 217 MeV/nucleon, impinging on the liquid hydrogen target of the MINOS device. Prompt deexcitation γ rays were measured with the NaI(Tl) array DALI2 + . Through the one-proton knockout reaction Ar 50 ( p , 2 p ) , a spin assignment could be determined for the low-lying states of Cl 49 from the momentum distribution obtained with the SAMURAI spectrometer. A spin-parity J π = 3 / 2 + is deduced for the ground state of Cl 49 , similar to the recently studied N = 32 isotope K 51 . The evolution of the energy difference E ( 1 / 2 1 + ) - E ( 3 / 2 1 + ) is compared to state-of-the-art theoretical predictions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Neutron occupancies and single-particle energies across the stable tin isotopes

The occupancies and vacancies of the valence neutron orbitals across the stable tin isotopic chain from 112 ≤ A ≤ 124 have been determined. These were inferred from the cross sections of neutron adding and -removing reactions. In each case, the reactions were chosen to have good angular momentum matching for transfer to the low- and high-` orbitals present in this valence space. Here, these new data are compared to older systematic studies. The effective single-neutron energies are determined by combining information from energy centroids determined from the adding and removing reactions. Two of the five orbitals are nearly degenerate, below N = 64, and approximately two MeV more bound than the other three, which are also degenerate.

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↗

Effective shell-model interaction for nuclei “southeast” of 100 Sn

We construct an effective shell-model interaction for the valence space spanned by single-particle neutron and single-hole proton states in 100 Sn. Starting from chiral nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon forces and single-reference coupled-cluster theory for 100 Sn we apply a second similarity transformation that decouples the valence space. The particle-particle components of the resulting effective interaction can be used in shell model calculations for neutron deficient tin isotopes. The hole-hole interaction can be used to calculate the N=50 isotones south of 100 Sn, and the full particle-hole interaction describes nuclei in the region southeast of 100 Sn. We compute low-lying excited states in selected nuclei southeast of 100 Sn, and find reasonable agreement with data. The presented techniques can also be applied to construct effective shell-model interactions for other regions of the nuclear chart.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Effective field theory approach to rotational bands in odd-mass nuclei

In this work, we extend an effective field theory developed to describe rotational bands in even-even nuclei to the odd-mass case. This organizes Bohr and Mottelson's treatment of a particle coupled to a rotor as a model-independent expansion in powers of the angular velocity of the overall system. We carry out this expansion up to fourth order in the angular velocity and present results for 99 Tc, 159 Dy, 167,169 Er, 167,169 Tm, 183 W, 235 U, and 239 Pu. In each case, the accuracy and breakdown scale of the effective field theory can be understood based on the single-particle and vibrational energy scales in that nucleus.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Shell model analysis of the B ( E 2,2 + → 0 + ) values in the A = 70, T = 1 triplet 70 Kr, 70 Br, and 70 Se

The B(E2, 2 + → 0 + ) transition strengths of the T=1 isobaric triplet 70 Kr, 70 Br, 70 Se, recently measured at the RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory (RIBF), are discussed in terms of state-of-the-art large scale shell model calculations using the JUN45 and JUN45 + LNPS plus Coulomb interactions. In this Letter we argue that, depending on the effective charges used, the calculations are either in line with the experimental data within statistical uncertainties, or the anomaly happens in 70 Br, rather than 70 Kr. In the latter case, we suggest that it can be due to the presence of a hitherto undetected 1 + T = 0 state below the yrast 2 + T = 1 state. Furthermore, our results do not support a shape change of 70 Kr with respect to the other members of the isobaric multiplet.

59 ≤ A ≤ 89↗

Accessing the shape of atomic nuclei with relativistic collisions of isobars

Nuclides sharing the same mass number (isobars) are observed ubiquitously along the stability line. While having nearly identical radii, stable isobars can differ in shape, and present different quadrupole deformations. We show that even small differences in these deformations can be probed by relativistic nuclear collisions experiments, where they manifest as deviations from unity in the ratios of elliptic flow coefficients taken between isobaric systems. Collider experiments with isobars represent, thus, a unique means to gain precise knowledge of the geometric shape of atomic nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Electron scattering on A = 3 nuclei from quantum Monte Carlo based approaches

We perform first-principle calculations of electron-nucleus scattering on 3 He and 3 H using the Green's function Monte Carlo method and two approaches based on the factorization of the final hadronic state: the spectral-function formalism and the short-time approximation. These three methods are benchmarked among each other and compared to the experimental data for the longitudinal and transverse electromagnetic response functions of 3 He, and the inclusive cross sections of both 3 He and 3 H. Since these three approaches are based on the same description of nuclear dynamics of the initial target state, comparing their results enables a precise quantification of the uncertainties inherent to factorization schemes. At sufficiently large values of the momentum transfer, we find an excellent agreement of the Green's function Monte Carlo calculation with experimental data and with both the spectral-function formalism and the short-time approximation. Here, we also analyze the relevance of relativistic effects, whose inclusion becomes crucial to explain data at high momentum and energy transfer.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗