Intertwined quantum phase transitions in the zirconium and niobium isotopes

Abstract

Nuclei in the A ≈ 100 region exhibit intricate shape-evolution and configuration crossing signatures. Exploring both even–even and their adjacent odd-mass nuclei gives further insight on the emergence of deformation and shape-phase transitions. We employ the algebraic frameworks of the interacting boson model with configuration mixing and the new interacting boson-fermion model with configuration mixing in order to investigate the even–even zirconium with neutron number 52–70 (40Zr) and odd-mass niobium (41Nb) isotopes with 52–62. We compare between the evolution in energy levels, configuration and symmetry content of the wave functions, two neutron separation energies and E2 transition rates, alongside comparison with the experimental data. The comparisons between the two chains of isotopes denote the occurrence of two types of QPTs, a crossing of normal and intruder configurations (named Type II QPT), and a shape-evolution of the intruder configuration (named Type I QPT). The latter QPT begins from spherical shape to axially deformed rotor in the Zr isotopes and from weak to strong coupling scenario in the Nb isotopes. This occurrence, named intertwined quantum phase transitions (IQPTs), in the even–even Zr chain is thus demonstrated to persists when coupling a proton to the boson core for the odd-mass Nb chain, even as deformation increases.