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At least 361 records · Page 20

Measuring neutron skin by grazing isobaric collisions

Neutron skin thickness (Δr np ) of nuclei and the inferred nuclear symmetry energy are of critical importance to nuclear physics and astrophysics. It is traditionally measured by nuclear processes with significant theoretical uncertainties. We recently proposed an indirect measurement of the Δr np by charged hadron multiplicities in central isobaric collisions at relativistic energies, which are sensitive to nuclear densities. In this Letter, we propose a direct measurement of the Δr np by using net-charge multiplicities in ultra-peripheral (grazing) collisions of those isobars, under the assumption that they are simple superimposition of nucleon-nucleon interactions. Here, we illustrate this novel approach by the TRENTO and URQMD models.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Information content of the differences in the charge radii of mirror nuclei

Differences in the charge radii of mirror nuclei have been recently suggested to contain information on the slope of the symmetry energy L. To test this hypothesis, we perform statistical correlation analysis using quantified energy density functionals that are consistent with our previous knowledge on global nuclear observables such as binding energies and charge radii. We conclude that the difference in charge radii between a mirror pair, $ΔR$$^{mir}_{ch}$, is an inferior isovector indicator compared to other observables, such at the neutron skin or electric dipole polarizability α D . In particular, this quantity correlates poorly with both the neutron skin and L. Here, we demonstrate that $ΔR$$^{mir}_{ch}$ is influenced by pairing correlations in the presence of low-lying proton continuum in the proton-rich mirror-partner nucleus. Considering the large theoretical uncertainties on $ΔR$$^{mir}_{ch}$, we conclude that the precise data on mirror charge radii cannot provide a stringent constraint on L.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Differential charge radii: Proton-neutron interaction effects

The analysis of self-consistency and proton-neutron interaction effects in the buildup of differential charge radii were carried out in covariant density functional theoretical calculations without pairing interaction on the example of selected configurations in the Pb isotopes. The proton-neutron interaction of neutron(s) added to the neutron 𝑁 = 126 core and the protons forming the 𝑍 = 82 proton core is responsible for a major contribution to the buildup of differential charge radii. It depends on the products of proton and neutron wave functions and thus on their nodal structure. This interaction leads to a redistribution of single-particle density of occupied proton states which in turn modifies the charge radii. Furthermore, the microscopic origin of this redistribution and its consequences for differential charge radii were investigated for the first time. Self-consistency effects affecting the shape of proton potential, total proton densities and the energies of the single-particle proton states provide only minor contribution to differential charge radii.

190 ≤ A ≤ 219↗

Toward ab-initio nuclear theory calculations of 𝛿 𝐶

We propose a theory framework to study the isospin-symmetry breaking correction 𝛿 C in superallowed nuclear 𝛽 decays, crucial for the precise determination of |𝑉 𝑢⁢𝑑 |. Based on a general assumptions of the isovector dominance in isospin-symmetry breaking interactions, we construct a set of functions 𝐹 𝑇 𝑧 which involve nuclear matrix elements of isovector monopole operators and the nuclear Green's function. Via the functions 𝐹 𝑇 𝑧 , a connection of 𝛿 C to measurable electroweak nuclear radii is established, providing an experimental gauge of the theory accuracy of 𝛿 C . Here, we outline a strategy to perform ab initio calculations of 𝐹 𝑇 𝑧 based on the Lanczos algorithm, and discuss its similarity with other nuclear-structure-dependent inputs in nuclear 𝛽 decays.

Ab initio calculations↗

Helium-4 gravitational form factors: Exchange currents

We evaluate the leading exchange corrections to the helium-4 gravitational form factors (GFFs) to momenta of the order of the nucleon mass. We use both the K-harmonic method with simple pair nucleon potential, and a Jastrow trial function using the Argonne 𝑣 14 potential, to evaluate the helium-4 GFFs. The exchange current contributions include the pair interaction, plus the seagull and the pion exchange interactions, modulo the recoil corrections. To estimate the off-shellness of the pion nucleon coupling in this momenta range, we discuss the results using either the pseudoscalar (PS) or pseudovector (PV) pion-nucleon couplings. When the PV coupling is used, the pair diagram contribution is higher order in the nonrelativistic expansion. The results for the helium-4 A-GFF are comparable to those given by the impulse approximation, especially for the PS coupling using both the K-harmonic method and variational method. The exchange current contributions with the PS coupling for the charge form factor of helium-4, yield better agreement with the existing data over a broad range of momenta, especially when the Argonne 𝑣 14 potential including the D-wave admixture is used.

A ≤ 5↗

Longitudinal form Factors of A ≤ 10 Nuclei in a Chiral Effective Field Theory Approach

Here, in this work, we present the elastic electron scattering longitudinal form factors of A ≤ 10 nuclei computed in a variational Monte Carlo approach. We employ the Norfolk family of local chiral interactions and a consistent electromagnetic charge operator. Our calculations are compared both to data and past theoretical evaluations. This work represents, to our knowledge, the first accurate calculation of longitudinal form factors using manybody methods based on interacting nucleon degrees of freedom in the 7 ≤ A ≤ 10 mass range. Finally, we identify 9 Be and 10 B as candidate targets for renewed experimental interest, as they exhibit the potential to provide more stringent constraints on the theoretical models.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Excited states in warm and hot dense matter

Accurate modeling of warm and hot dense matter is challenging in part due to the multitude of excited states that must be considered. Here, we present a variational framework that models these excited states. In this framework an excited state is defined by a set of effective one-electron occupation factors, and the corresponding energy is defined by the effective one-body energy with an exchange and correlation term. Here, the variational framework is applied to an atom-in-plasma model (a generalization of the so-called average atom model). Comparisons with a density functional theory based average atom model generally reveal good agreement in the calculated pressure, but our model also gives access to the excitation energies and charge state distributions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Charge Radius of Neutron-Deficient Ni 54 and Symmetry Energy Constraints Using the Difference in Mirror Pair Charge Radii

he nuclear root-mean-square charge radius of Ni 54 was determined with collinear laser spectroscopy to be R ( Ni 54 ) = 3.737 ( 3 ) fm . In conjunction with the known radius of the mirror nucleus Fe 54 , the difference of the charge radii was extracted as Δ R ch = 0.049 ( 4 ) fm . Based on the correlation between Δ R ch and the slope of the symmetry energy at nuclear saturation density ( L ), we deduced 21 ≤ L ≤ 88 MeV . The present result is consistent with the L from the binary neutron star merger GW170817, favoring a soft neutron matter EOS, and barely consistent with the PREX-2 result within 1 σ error bands. Our result indicates the neutron-skin thickness of Ca 48 as 0.15–0.21 fm.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Evidence of Two-Source King Plot Nonlinearity in Spectroscopic Search for New Boson

Optical precision spectroscopy of isotope shifts can be used to test for new forces beyond the standard model, and to determine basic properties of atomic nuclei. We measure isotope shifts on the highly forbidden 2 S 1/2 → 2 F 7/2 octupole transition of trapped 168,170, 172, 174, 176 Yb ions. When combined with previous measurements in Yb + and very recent measurements in Yb, the data reveal a King plot nonlinearity of up to 240σ. Furthermore, the trends exhibited by experimental data are explained by nuclear density functional theory calculations with the Fayans functional. We also find, with 4.3σ confidence, that there is a second distinct source of nonlinearity, and discuss its possible origin.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Trends of Neutron Skins and Radii of Mirror Nuclei from First Principles

The neutron skin of atomic nuclei impacts the structure of neutron-rich nuclei, the equation of state of nucleonic matter, and the size of neutron stars. Here we predict the neutron skin of selected light- and medium-mass nuclei using coupled-cluster theory and the auxiliary field diffusion Monte Carlo method with two- and three-nucleon forces from chiral effective field theory. We find a linear correlation between the neutron skin and the isospin asymmetry in agreement with the liquid-drop model and compare with data. We also extract the linear relationship that describes the difference between neutron and proton radii of mirror nuclei and quantify the effect of charge symmetry breaking terms in the nuclear Hamiltonian. In conclusion, our results for the mirror-difference charge radii and binding energies per nucleon agree with existing data.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Charge Radii of Neutron-Rich Scandium Isotopes and the Seniority Symmetry in the 0⁢𝑓 7/2 Shell

Nuclear charge radii of neutron-rich 47–49 Sc isotopes were measured using collinear laser spectroscopy at CERN-ISOLDE. The new data reveal that the charge radii of scandium isotopes exhibit a distinct trend between 𝑁 = 20 and 𝑁 = 28, with 41 Sc and 49 Sc isotopes having similar values, mirroring the closeness of the charge radii of 40 Ca and 48 Ca. Theoretical models that successfully interpret the radii of calcium isotopes could not account for the observed behavior in scandium radii, in particular the reduced odd-even staggering. Remarkably, the inclusion of the new 49 Sc radius data has unveiled a similar trend in the charge radii of 𝑁 = 28 isotones and 𝑍 = 20 isotopes when adding the protons atop the 48 Ca core and the neutrons atop the 40 Ca core, respectively. We demonstrate that this trend is consistent with the prediction of the seniority model.

Nuclear charge distribution↗

Role of the isovector spin-orbit potential in mitigating the CREX-PREX dilemma

Pioneering electroweak measurements of the neutron skin thickness in lead-208 and calcium-48 are challenging our understanding of nuclear dynamics. Many theoretical models suggest that the slope of the symmetry energy controls the development of a neutron skin in neutron-rich nuclei. This led to the expectation that if lead-208 exhibits a large neutron skin, calcium-48 should as well. Given that the PREX Collaboration reported a relatively thick neutron skin in lead, we anticipated that calcium would also have a significant neutron skin. Instead, the CREX Collaboration reported a thin neutron skin in calcium. Although many suggestions have been proposed, the “CREX-PREX dilemma” remains unsolved. Recently, an intriguing scenario has emerged, suggesting that an enhanced isovector spin-orbit interaction could simultaneously account for both results. Following this approach, we performed relativistic mean-field calculations with an increased isovector spin-orbit potential. Our findings indicate that, while this modification significantly affects the structure of calcium-48, it has only a marginal impact on lead-208, thereby bringing the results into better agreement with experiment. Furthermore, the strong enhancement required to mitigate the CREX-PREX dilemma destroys the agreement with a successful spin-orbit phenomenology, primarily by modifying the well-known ordering of spin-orbit partners.

Neutron skin thickness↗