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At least 109 records · Page 6

Cold Neutrons Trapped in External Fields

The properties of inhomogeneous neutron matter are crucial to the physics of neutron-rich nuclei and the crust of neutron stars. Advances in computational techniques now allow us to accurately determine the binding energies and densities of many neutrons interacting via realistic microscopic interactions and confined in external fields. We perform calculations for different external fields and across several shells to place important constraints on inhomogeneous neutron matter, and hence the large isospin limit of the nuclear energy density functionals that are used to predict properties of heavy nuclei and neutron star crusts. We find important differences between microscopic calculations and current density functionals; in particular, the isovector gradient terms are significantly more repulsive than in traditional models, and the spin-orbit and pairing forces are comparatively weaker.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A review on the relativistic effective field theory with parameterized couplings for nuclear matter and neutron stars

Nuclear science has developed many excellent theoretical models for many-body systems in the domain of the baryon-meson strong interaction for the nucleus and nuclear matter at low, medium and high densities. However, a full microscopic understanding of nuclear systems in the extreme density domain of compact stars is still lacking. The aim of this contribution is to shed some light on open questions facing the nuclear many-body problem at the very high density domain. Here we focus our attention on the conceptual issue of naturalness and its role in shaping the baryon-meson phase space dynamics in the description of the equation of state (EoS) of nuclear matter and neutrons stars. In particular, in order to stimulate possible new directions of research, we discuss relevant aspects of a recently developed relativistic effective theory for nuclear matter within Quantum Hadrodynamics (QHD) with genuine many-body forces and derivative natural parametric couplings. Among other topics we discuss in this work the connection of this theory with other known effective QHD models of the literature and its potentiality in describing a new physics for dense matter. The model with parameterized couplings exhausts the whole fundamental baryon octet (n, p, Σ{sup −}, Σ{sup 0}, Σ{sup +}, Λ, Ξ{sup −}, Ξ{sup 0}) and simulates n-order corrections to the minimal Yukawa baryon couplings by considering nonlinear self-couplings of meson fields and meson-meson interaction terms coupled to the baryon fields involving scalar-isoscalar (σ, σ∗), vector-isoscalar (ω, Φ), vector-isovector (ϱ) and scalar-isovector (δ) virtual sectors. Following recent experimental results, we consider in our calculations the extreme case where the Σ{sup −} experiences such a strong repulsion that its influence in the nuclear structure of a neutron star is excluded at all. A few examples of calculations of properties of neutron stars are shown and prospects for the future are discussed.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Giant halos in medium nuclei within modified relativistic mean field (MRMF) model

The large number of neutrons in a region beyond a closed shell core indicates the presence of giant halos in nuclei. In this work, by using the Rotival method within a modified relativistic mean field (MRMF) model, we predict theoretically the formation of giant halos in Cr and Zr isotopes. The MRMF model is a modification of standard RMF model augmented with isoscalar and isovector tensor terms, isovector-isoscalar vector cross coupling term and electromagnetic exchange term for Coulomb interaction in local density approximation (LDA).

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Dynamical properties of nuclear and stellar matter and the symmetry energy

The effects of density dependence of the symmetry energy on the collective modes and dynamical instabilities of cold and warm nuclear and stellar matter are studied in the framework of relativistic mean-field hadron models. The existence of the collective isovector and possibly an isoscalar collective mode above saturation density is discussed. It is shown that soft equations of state do not allow for a high-density isoscalar collective mode; however, if the symmetry energy is hard enough, an isovector mode will not disappear at high densities. The crust-core transition density and pressure are obtained as a function of temperature for {beta}-equilibrium matter with and without neutrino trapping. Estimations of the size of the clusters formed in the nonhomogeneous phase, as well as the corresponding growth rates and distillation effect, are made. It is shown that cluster sizes increase with temperature, that the distillation effect close to the inner edge of the crust-core transition is very sensitive to the symmetry energy, and that, within a dynamical instability calculation, the pasta phase exists in warm compact stars up to 10-12 MeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Self-consistent Skyrme quasiparticle random-phase approximation for use in axially symmetric nuclei of arbitrary mass

We describe a new implementation of the quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) in axially symmetric deformed nuclei with Skyrme and volume-pairing energy-density functionals. After using a variety of tests to demonstrate the accuracy of the code in {sup 24,26}Mg and {sup 16}O, we report the first fully self-consistent application of the Skyrme QRPA to a heavy deformed nucleus, calculating strength distributions for several K{sup {pi}}in {sup 172}Yb. We present energy-weighted sums, properties of {gamma}-vibrational and low-energy K{sup {pi}=}0{sup +} states, and the complete isovector E1 strength function. The QRPA calculation reproduces the properties of the low-lying 2{sup +} states as well or better than it typically does in spherical nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Collectivity in the light xenon isotopes: A shell model study

The lightest xenon isotopes are studied in the shell model framework, within a valence space that comprises all the orbits lying between the magic closures N=Z=50 and N=Z=82. The calculations produce collective deformed structures of triaxial nature that encompass nicely the known experimental data. Predictions are made for the (still unknown) N=Z nucleus {sup 108}Xe. The results are interpreted in terms of the competition between the quadrupole correlations enhanced by the pseudo-SU(3) structure of the positive parity orbits and the pairing correlations brought in by the 0h{sub 11/2} orbit. We also have studied the effect of the excitations from the {sup 100}Sn core on our predictions. We show that the backbending in this region is due to the alignment of two particles in the 0h{sub 11/2} orbit. In the N=Z case, one neutron and one proton align to J=11 and T=0. In {sup 110,112}Xe the alignment begins in the J=10, T=1 channel and it is dominantly of neutron-neutron type. Approaching the band termination the alignment of a neutron-proton pair to J=11 and T=0 takes over. In a more academic mood, we have studied the role of the isovector and isoscalar pairing correlations on the structure on the yrast bands of {sup 108,110}Xe and examined the possible existence of isovector and isoscalar pairing condensates in these N{approx}{approx}Z nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

q-Deformation of symplectic dynamical symmetries in algebraic models of nuclear structure

With a view toward further nuclear structure applications of approaches based on quantum-deformed (or q-deformed) algebras, introduced to the authors by Yu.F. Smirnov, we construct a q analog of a boson realization of the symplectic noncompact sp(4, R) algebra together with a q analog of a fermion realization of the symplectic compact sp(4) algebra. The first study, on the q-deformed Sp(4,R) symmetry, is applied to the development of a q analog of the two-dimensional Interacting Boson Model with q-deformed SU(3) the underpinning dynamical symmetry group. An explicit realization in terms of q-tensor operators with respect to the standard su{sub q}(2) algebra is given. The group-subgroup structure of this framework yields the physical interpretation of the generators of the groups under consideration. The second symplectic algebra, the q-deformed sp(4), is applied to studying isovector pairing correlations in atomic nuclei. A specific q deformation of the sp(4) algebra is realized in terms of q deformed fermion creation and annihilation operators of the shell model. The generators of the algebra close on four distinct realizations of the u{sub q}(2) subalgebra. These reductions, which correspond to different types of pairing interactions, yield a complete classification of the basis states. An analysis of the role of the q deformation is based on a comparison of the results for energies of the lowest isovector-paired 0{sup +} states in the deformed and nondeformed cases.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Chiral dynamics and peripheral transverse densities

In the partonic (or light-front) description of relativistic systems the electromagnetic form factors are expressed in terms of frame-independent charge and magnetization densities in transverse space. This formulation allows one to identify the chiral components of nucleon structure as the peripheral densities at transverse distances b = O(M{sub {pi}}{sup -1}) and compute them in a parametrically controlled manner. A dispersion relation connects the large-distance behavior of the transverse charge and magnetization densities to the spectral functions of the Dirac and Pauli form factors near the two--pion threshold at timelike t = 4 M{ sub {pi}}{sup 2}, which can be computed in relativistic chiral effective field theory. Using the leading-order approximation we (a) derive the asymptotic behavior (Yukawa tail) of the isovector transverse densities in the "chiral" region b = O(M{sub {pi}}{sup -1}) and the "molecular" region b = O(M{sub N}{sup 2}/M{sub {pi}}{sup 3}); (b) perform the heavy-baryon expansion of the transverse densities; (c) explain the relative magnitude of the peripheral charge and magnetization densities in a simple mechanical picture; (d) include Delta isobar intermediate states and study the peripheral transverse densities in the large-N{ sub c} limit of QCD; (e) quantify the region of transverse distances where the chiral components of the densities are numerically dominant; (f) calculate the chiral divergences of the b{sup 2}-weighted moments of the isovector transverse densities (charge and anomalous magnetic radii) in the limit M{sub {pi}} -> 0 and determine their spatial support. Our approach provides a concise formulation of the spatial structure of the nucleon's chiral component and offers new insights into basic properties of the chiral expansion. It relates the information extracted from low-t elastic form factors to the generalized parton distributions probed in peripheral high-energy scattering processes.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Open string QED meson description of the X17 particle and dark matter

As a quark and an antiquark cannot be isolated, the intrinsic motion of a composite $q\overline{q}$ system in its lowest-energy states lies predominantly in 1+1 dimensions, as in an open string with the quark and the antiquark at its two ends. Accordingly, we study the lowest-energy states of an open string $q\overline{q}$ system in QCD and QED in 1+1 dimensions. We show that π 0 , η, and η' can be adequately described as open string $q\overline{q}$ QCD mesons. By extrapolating into the $q\overline{q}$ QED sector in which a quark and an antiquark interact with the QED interaction, we find an open string isoscalar I(J π ) = 0(0 - ) QED meson state at 17.9±1.5 MeV and an isovector (I(J π ) = 1(0 - ), I 3 = 0) QED meson state at 36.4±3.8 MeV. The predicted masses of the isoscalar and isovector QED mesons are close to the masses of the hypothetical X17 and E38 particles observed recently, making them good candidates for these particles. The decay products of QED mesons may show up as excess e + e - and γγ pairs in the anomalous soft photon phenomenon associated with hadron productions in high-energy hadron-proton collisions and e + -e - annihilations. Measurements of the invariant masses of excess e + e - and γγ pairs will provide tests for the existence of the open string $q\overline{q}$ QED mesons. An assembly of gravitating QED mesons are expected to emit electron-positron pairs and/or gamma rays and their decay energies and lifetimes will be modified by their gravitational binding energies. Consequently, a self-gravitating isoscalar QED meson assembly whose mass M and radius R satisfy (M/M ⊙ )/(R/R ⊙ ) ≳ 2 4.71 × 10 5 will not produce electron-positron pairs nor gamma rays and may be a good candidate for the primordial dark matter.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Exploring Hyperon Structure with Electromagnetic Transverse Densities

Here, we explore the structure of the spin-1/2 flavor-octet baryons (hyperons) through their electromagnetic transverse densities. The transverse densities describe the distribution of charge and magnetization at fixed light-front time and enable a spatial representation of the baryons as relativistic systems. At peripheral distances b~1/M π the transverse densities are computed using a new method that combines chiral effective field theory (χEFT) and dispersion analysis. The peripheral isovector densities arise from two-pion exchange, which includes the ρ resonance through elastic unitarity. The isoscalar densities are estimated from vector meson exchange (ω,Φ). We find that the “pion cloud” in the charged Σ hyperons is comparable to the nucleon, while in the Ξ it is suppressed. The Λ–Σ 0 transition density is pure isovector and represents a clear manifestation of peripheral two-pion dynamics.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Constraining the symmetry energy with heavy-ion collisions and Bayesian analyses

Efficiency corrected single ratios of neutron and proton spectra in central Sn 112 + 112 Sn and Sn 124 + 124 Sn collisions at 120 MeV/u are combined with double ratios to provide constraints on the density and momentum dependencies of the isovector mean-field potential. Bayesian analyses of these data reveal that the isoscalar and isovector nucleon effective masses, m s ⁎ − m v ⁎ are strongly correlated. The linear correlation observed in m s ⁎ − m v ⁎ yields a nearly independent constraint on the effective mass splitting Δ m n p ⁎ = ( m n ⁎ − m p ⁎ ) / m N = − 0.05 − 0.09 + 0.09 δ . The correlated constraint on the standard symmetry energy, $S_0$ and the slope, L at saturation density yields the values of symmetry energy S ( ρ s ) = 16.8 − 1.2 + 1.2 MeV at a sensitive density of ρ s / ρ 0 = 0.43 − 0.05 + 0.05 .

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Pauli energy contribution to nucleus-nucleus interaction

The investigation delves into understanding how the Pauli exclusion principle influences the bare potential between atomic nuclei through the application of advanced theoretical methodologies. Specifically, the application of the novel Frozen-Hartree-Fock (DCFHF) technique is employed. The resulting potentials demonstrate a noticeable repulsion at short distances, attributed to the effects of the Pauli exclusion principle. To account for dynamic phenomena, such as nucleon transfer processes, the density-constrained time-dependent Hartree-Fock (DC-TDHF) method is utilized. This approach integrates isovector contributions into the potential, shedding light on their influence on fusion reactions. Notably, the inclusion of isovector effects leads to a reduction or enhancement in the inner part of the potential, suggesting a nuanced role of transfer in the fusion process.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Many-body forces in the equation of state of hyperonic matter

In this work we introduce an extended version of the formalism proposed originally by Taurines et al. that considers the effects of many-body forces simulated by nonlinear self-couplings and meson–meson interaction contributions. In this extended version of the model, we assume that matter is at zero temperature, charge neutral, and in beta-equilibrium, considering that the baryon octet interacts by the exchange of scalar–isoscalar (σ, σ{sup ∗}), vector–isoscalar (ω, ϕ), vector–isovector (ϱ), and scalar–isovector (δ) meson fields. Using nuclear matter properties, we constrain the parameters of the model that describe the intensity of the indirectly density dependent baryon–meson couplings to a small range of possible values. We then investigate asymmetric hyperonic matter properties. We report that the formalism developed in this work is in reasonable agreement with experimental data and also allows for the existence of massive hyperon stars (with more than 2 M{sub ⊙}) with small radii, compatible with astrophysical observations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Extended Fayans energy density functional: optimization and analysis

The Fayans energy density functional (EDF) has been very successful in describing global nuclear properties (binding energies, charge radii, and especially differences of radii) within nuclear density functional theory. In a recent study, supervised machine learning methods were used to calibrate the Fayans EDF. Building on this experience, in this work we explore the effect of adding isovector pairing terms, which are responsible for different proton and neutron pairing fields, by comparing a 13D model without the isovector pairing term against the extended 14D model. At the heart of the calibration is a carefully selected heterogeneous dataset of experimental observables representing ground-state properties of spherical even–even nuclei. To quantify the impact of the calibration dataset on model parameters and the importance of the new terms, we carry out advanced sensitivity and correlation analysis on both models. The extension to 14D improves the overall quality of the model by about 30%. The enhanced degrees of freedom of the 14D model reduce correlations between model parameters and enhance sensitivity.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Insights into the possible existence of a soft dipole mode in He 8

With an extreme neutron-to-proton ratio of N/Z = 3, 8 He provides an ideal laboratory for the study of a variety of exotic phenomena, such as the emergence of a soft dipole mode that is dominated by transitions into the continuum. In this contribution, a covariant density-functional theory (DFT) framework is used to compute ground-state properties and the dipole response of 8 He. Although 8 He is admittedly too light for DFT to be applicable, the great merit of the approach is that the spurious contamination associated with the center-of-mass motion is guaranteed to decouple from the physical response. Given that a strong mixing between the isoscalar and isovector dipole modes is expected for a system with such a large neutron-proton asymmetry as 8 He, the narrow structures that emerged at low energies in the isovector dipole response are attributed to the shift of the spurious strength to zero (or near zero) excitation energy. Furthermore, the theoretical framework implemented here disfavors the emergence of a soft dipole mode in 8 He.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗

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↗

Impact of tensor couplings with scalar mixing on covariant energy density functionals

The recent pioneering campaigns conducted by the Lead Radius Experiment (PREX) and the Calcium Radius Experiment (CREX) Collaborations have uncovered major deficiencies in the theoretical description of some fundamental properties of atomic nuclei. Following a recent refinement to the isovector sector of covariant energy density functionals we present here additional improvements to the functional by including both tensor couplings and an isoscalar-isovector mixing term in the scalar sector. Motivated by the distinct surface properties of calcium and lead, we expect that the tensor terms that generate derivative couplings will help break the linear correlation between the neutron skin thickness of these two nuclei. Moreover, the addition of these new terms mitigates most of the problems identified by Reed et al. in describing the properties of both finite nuclei and neutron stars. While significant progress has been made in reconciling the PREX-CREX results without compromising other observables, the final resolution awaits the completion of a proper calibration for this new class of functionals. As a result, we expect that powerful reduced basis methods used recently to create efficient emulators will be essential to accomplish this task.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗