Angular Momentum Projection Research Articles

Coulomb excitation of hydrogen atoms by vortex ion beams

Abstract Coulomb excitation of hydrogen atoms by vortex protons is theoretically investigated within the framework of the non--relativistic first--Born approximation and the density matrix approach. Special attention is paid to the magnetic sublevel population of excited atoms and, consequently, to the angular distribution of the fluorescence radiation. We argue that both these properties are sensitive to the projection of the orbital angular momentum (OAM), carried by the projectile ions. In order to illustrate the OAM--effect, detailed calculations have been performed for the $1s \to 2p$ excitation and the subsequent $2p \to 1s$ radiative decay of a hydrogen target, interacting with incident Laguerre--Gaussian vortex protons. The calculation results suggest that Coulomb excitation can be employed for the diagnostics of vortex ion beam at accelerator and storage ring facilities.

Schrödinger equation for the chiral geometry in atomic nuclei

The dynamical and spectral features of the chiral geometry in atomic nu clei are described by means of a triaxial rigid rotor Hamiltonian cranked by quasiparticle alignments. The problem is treated alternatively in the space of angular momentum states and using a Schr¨odinger equation for a continuous variable associated with an angular momentum projection. The later is con structed using a semiclassical approach. Numerical applications performed for various deformation and alignment conditions with both methods are compared in terms of energy levels and wave functions.

Ab initio description of monopole resonances in light- and medium-mass nuclei

The paper is the third of a series dedicated to the ab initio description of monopole giant resonances in mid-mass closed- and open-shell nuclei via the so-called projected generator coordinate method. The present focus is on the computation of the moments mk\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$m_k$$\\end{document} of the monopole strength distribution, which are used to quantify its centroid energy and dispersion. First, the capacity to compute low-order moments via two different methods is developed and benchmarked for the m1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$m_1$$\\end{document} moment. Second, the impact of the angular momentum projection on the centroid energy and dispersion of the monopole strength is analysed before comparing the results to those obtained from consistent quasi-particle random phase approximation calculations. Next, the so-called energy weighted sum rule (EWSR) is investigated. First, the appropriate ESWR in the center-of-mass frame is derived analytically. Second, the intrinsic EWSR is tested in order to quantify the (unwanted) local-gauge symmetry breaking of the presently employed chiral effective field theory (χ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\chi $$\\end{document}EFT) interactions. Finally, the infinite nuclear matter incompressibility associated with the employed χ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\chi $$\\end{document}EFT interactions is extracted by extrapolating the finite-nucleus incompressibility computed from the monopole centroid energy.

Investigation of high spin properties of $$^{55}$$Cr in deformed Hartree–Fock and angular momentum projection model

Investigation of high spin properties of $$^{55}$$Cr in deformed Hartree–Fock and angular momentum projection model

Deformed Shell Model Applications to Weak Interaction Processes

The deformed shell model (DSM), based on Hartree–Fock intrinsic states with angular momentum projection and band mixing, has been found to be quite successful in describing many spectroscopic properties of nuclei in the A = 60–100 region. More importantly, DSM has been used recently with good success in calculating nuclear structure factors, which are needed for a variety of weak interaction processes. In this article, in addition to giving an overview of this, we discuss the applications of DSM to obtain cross-sections for coherent and incoherent neutrino nucleus scattering on 96,98,100Mo targets and also for obtaining two neutrino double beta decay nuclear transition matrix elements for 100Mo.

Massless spin-2 field solutions with spherical symmetry: Eliminating gauge degrees of freedom

We examine the basic matrix equation for a spin-2 field in spherical coordinates and a tetrad of Minkowski spacetime. The technique of Wigner D-functions is used to separate the variables. The operators of energy, the square and the third projection of the total angular momentum, and the space reflection operators are then diagonalized on the solutions. The separation of the variables is done, the problem reduces to 11 radial second-order differential equations for 11 variables related to the scalar and symmetric tensors. We then consider the case of a massless field. The four gauge solutions for the massless spin-2 field have been found in explicit form. These gauge solutions do not contribute to physically observable quantities such as the energy–momentum tensor. They are derived according to Pauli–Fierz theory from four independent spherical solutions for a spin-1 massless particle. We have also constructed two types of solutions, related to opposite parities, which are not the gauge solutions. These solutions describe physically observable states with spherical symmetry for the spin-2 massless field.

Spin Angular Momentum at the Focus of a Superposition of an Optical Vortex and a Plane Wave with Linear Polarizations

In this paper, tight focusing of a superposition of a vortex laser beam with topological charge n with linear polarization and a plane wave with the same linear polarization directed along the horizontal axis is considered. Using the Richards–Wolf formalism, analytical expressions are obtained for the intensity distribution and longitudinal projection of the spin angular momentum in the focal plane. It is shown that for even and odd numbers n, the intensity and the spin angular momentum have different symmetries: for even n they are symmetric about both Cartesian axes, and for odd n they are symmetric only about the vertical axis. The intensity distribution has n local maxima at the focus, and it is nonzero on the optical axis for any n. The distribution of the longitudinal spin angular momentum (spin density) in the focal plane has (n + 2) subwavelength regions with a positive spin angular momentum and (n + 2) regions with a negative spin angular momentum, the centers of which alternately lie on a circle of a certain radius with a center on the optical axis. This spin distribution with different signs demonstrates the spin Hall effect at the focus. Negative and positive spins are mutually compensated, and the total spin is equal to zero at the focus. We have shown that by changing the topological charge of the optical vortex, it is possible to control the spin Hall effect at the focus, that is, to change the number of regions with spins of different signs.

Pseudospin symmetry in resonant states in deformed nucleus 154Dy

It is known that pseudospin symmetry plays a crucial role in formation of many physical phenomena. By combining the relativistic mean field theory with the complex momentum representation method, the pseudospin symmetry in the single particle resonant states in the deformed nucleus [Formula: see text]Dy is investigated through the energy and width splittings, the quadrupole deformation parameter, the radial density distributions and occupation probabilities of the pseudospin doublets. Near the continuum threshold, the pseudospin symmetry is well reserved in both bound and resonant states. The energy and width splittings of pseudospin doublets in resonant states exhibit correlations with the deformation and quantum numbers. The good pseudospin symmetry is expected with lower pseudo-orbital angular momentum projection [Formula: see text] and the main quantum number N. In general, an increase in deformation tends to weaken the quality of the pseudospin symmetry. The understanding of the evolution of the pseudospin doublets in the resonant states has been deepened by studying the pseudospin symmetry in the deformed nuclei.

Pairing effects on pure rotational energy of nuclei

By applying the angular-momentum projection to the self-consistent axial mean-field solutions with the semi-realistic effective Hamiltonian M3Y-P6, the pairing effects on the pure rotational energy of nuclei, i.e. the rotational energy at a fixed intrinsic state, have been investigated. While it was shown at the Hartree–Fock (HF) level that the individual terms of the Hamiltonian contribute to the rotational energy with ratios insensitive to nuclides except for light or weakly-deformed nuclei, the pair correlations significantly change the contributions, even for the well-deformed heavy nuclei. The contribution of the interaction to the rotational energy is found to correlate well with the degree of proximity between nucleons, which is measured via the expectation value that two nucleons exist at the same position. While the nucleons slightly spread as the angular momentum increases at the HF level, accounting for the positive (negative) contribution of the attractive (repulsive) components of the interaction, the pair correlations reduce or invert the effect.

Ab initio calculations of the spectra and lifetimes of the lead dimer.

Owing to the key role of the lead dimer (Pb2) as a heavy element benchmark for the Group IV-A dimers the assignment of its spectroscopic properties and chemical bonding is an important undertaking. To meet this demand, the present work provides comprehensive and detailed information on electronic structure and properties comprising a wide set of Pb2 states. Calculations are performed by a high-level ab initio approach. Firstly, the potential energy curves (PECs) of 19 Λ-S states as well as those of 24 ungerade Ω states are calculated by utilizing the multi-reference configuration interaction plus Davidson correction (MRCI + Q) method taking into account core-valence correlation (CV) and spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effect, where Ω is a quantum number of the total (Λ + S) angular momentum projection. Secondly, interactions between the bound F3Σ-u, 23Σ+u states and repulsive 15Πu state induced by strong SOC are discussed based on the PECs analysis and calculated SOC matrix, which also indicates that the F3Σ-u state is predissociative. Thirdly, based on the calculated electric dipole transition moments and energy gaps between the 0+u(III), F0+u(II), C0+u(I) and X0+g states, the intense absorption bands of Pb2 due to these transitions are interpreted. Our results indicate that the trends in intensity of absorption spectra (F0+u(II), C0+u(I) ← X0+g) in the range of 12 600-13 600 and 22 200-23 800 cm-1 are consistent with the previously observed spectra of Pb2 in the qualitatively similar regions (15 200-16 200 and 19 800-21 800 cm-1). Finally, the calculated intensity of the weak magnetic-dipole transitions from the singlet excited b1Σ+g and a1Δg states to the triplet ground X3Σ-g state and their electric quadrupole components are presented for the Pb2 molecule in terms of SOC perturbations for the calculated Ω states expressed in Λ-S state notation. Based on our theoretical assignment, we predict that the weak emission a1Δg2 → X3Σ-g1 bands could be observed experimentally. The present work provides comprehensive electronic structure information and sheds new light on the absorption and emission spectra of the Pb2 dimer.

Spin angular momentum at the sharp focus of a cylindrical vector vortex beam

Sharp focusing of a light field with double (phase and polarization) singularity is studied. Using the Richards-Wolf method, an exact analytical expression for the longitudinal projection of the spin angular momentum (SAM) vector at the focus is obtained. The expression derived suggests that 4 (n –1) subwavelength regions are formed at the focus, where n is the cylindrical vector beam order, with their centers located on a certain circle centered on the optical axis. Notably, the SAM projections are found to have the opposite sign in the neighboring regions. This means that in the neighboring focal regions, the light has alternating left or right elliptical polarization (manifestation of a spin Hall effect). At the center of the focal spot near the optical axis, the field is right-handed elliptically polarized at m > 0, or left-handed elliptically polarized at m < 0, where m is the vortex charge. The total longitudinal spin, i.e., the longitudinal SAM component averaged over the beam-cross section, is zero and preserved upon focusing. Due to the beam containing an optical vortex with charge m, the transverse energy flow rotates on a spiral path near the focal plane, rotating on a circle in the focal plane. The rotation direction near the optical axis is counterclockwise for m > 0, and clockwise for m < 0.

Manipulation of Giant Multipole Resonances via Vortex γ Photons.

Traditional photonuclear reactions primarily excite giant dipole resonances, making the measurement of isovector giant resonances with higher multipolarities a great challenge. In this Letter, the manipulation of collective excitations of different multipole transitions in even-even nuclei via vortex γ photons is investigated. We develop the calculation method for photonuclear cross sections induced by the vortex γ photon beam using the fully self-consistent random-phase approximation plus particle-vibration coupling (RPA+PVC) model based on Skyrme density functional. We find that the electromagnetic transitions with multipolarity J<|m_{γ}| are forbidden for vortex γ photons due to the angular momentum conservation, with m_{γ} being the projection of total angular momentum of γ photon on its propagation direction. For instance, this allows for probing the isovector giant quadrupole resonance without interference from dipole transitions using vortex γ photons with m_{γ}=2. Furthermore, the electromagnetic transition with J=|m_{γ}|+1 vanishes at a specific polar angle. Therefore, the giant resonances with specific multipolarity can be extracted via vortex γ photons. Moreover, the vortex properties of γ photons can be meticulously diagnosed by measuring the nuclear photon-absorption cross section. Our method opens new avenues for photonuclear excitations, generation of coherent γ photon laser and precise detection of vortex particles, and consequently, has significant impact on nuclear physics, nuclear astrophysics and strong laser physics.

Quantum entanglement patterns in the structure of atomic nuclei within the nuclear shell model

Quantum entanglement offers a unique perspective into the underlying structure of strongly-correlated systems such as atomic nuclei. In this paper, we use quantum information tools to analyze the structure of light and medium-mass berillyum, oxygen, neon and calcium isotopes within the nuclear shell model. We use different entanglement metrics, including single-orbital entanglement, mutual information, and von Neumann entropies for different equipartitions of the shell-model valence space and identify mode-entanglement patterns related to the energy, angular momentum and isospin of the nuclear single-particle orbitals. We observe that the single-orbital entanglement is directly related to the number of valence nucleons and the energy structure of the shell, while the mutual information highlights signatures of proton–proton and neutron–neutron pairing, as well as nuclear deformation. Proton and neutron orbitals are weakly entangled by all measures, and in fact have the lowest von Neumann entropies among all possible equipartitions of the valence space. In contrast, orbitals with opposite angular momentum projection have relatively large entropies, especially in spherical nuclei. This analysis provides a guide for designing more efficient quantum algorithms for the noisy intermediate-scale quantum era.

Spin dynamics of triaxial odd mass nuclei with quasiparticle alignments

The dynamics of medium odd-mass nuclei with triaxial cores and non-axial rigid quasiparticle alignments is investigated in a semiclassical approach. Quantum observables are computed with a Schrödinger equation, constructed from the classical picture, which has the total angular momentum projection as a continuous variable. The separation of potential energy as a function of the chosen variable allows the phenomenological interpretation of the spectra in terms of wobbling oscillations and tilted axis rotations. The experimental realization of the model is presented for the collective bands of 105Pd, 133La and 135Pr nuclei. In particular, a novel transitional phase associated with a tilted axis wobbling was suggested for the 133La nucleus.

High-order optical Hall effect at the tight focus of laser radiation

In this work, by the Richards-Wolf method, which describes the behavior of electromagnetic radiation at the tight focus, it is shown that high-order spin and orbital Hall effects take place in the focal plane. It is shown that when focusing a linearly polarized optical vortex with unit topological charge, four local subwavelength regions are formed in the focal plane, in which directions of the longitudinal projection of the spin angular momentum are opposite in the neighboring regions. That is, photons falling into neighboring regions in the focus have the opposite spin. This is the spin Hall effect of the 2nd order. It is also shown that when tightly focusing of superposition of cylindrical vector beams of the m-th order and zero order, 2m subwavelength regions are formed in the plane of tight focus, in which directions of the longitudinal projection of the orbital angular momentum are opposite in the neighboring regions. That is, photons falling into the neighboring regions at the focus have the opposite-sign on-axis projections of the orbital angular momentum. This is the orbital Hall effect of the m-th order.

The Mechanism of the Formation of the Spin Hall Effect in a Sharp Focus

We have shown how the spin Hall effect is formed in a tight focus for two light fields with initial linear polarization. We have demonstrated that an even number of local subwavelength regions appear in which the sign of the longitudinal projection of the spin angular momentum (the third Stokes component) alternates. When an optical vortex with topological charge n and linear polarization passes through an ideal spherical lens, additional optical vortices with topological charges n + 2, n − 2, n + 1, and n − 1 with different amplitudes are formed in the converged beam. The first two of these vortices have left and right circular polarizations and the last two vortices have linear polarization. Since circularly polarized vortices have different amplitudes, their superposition will have elliptical polarization. The sign of this elliptical polarization (left or right) will change over the beam cross section with the change in the sign of the difference in the amplitudes of optical vortices with circular polarization. We also have shown that optical vortices with topological charges n + 2, n − 2 propagate in the opposite direction near the focal plane, and together with optical vortices with charges n + 1, n − 1, they form an azimuthal energy flow at the focus.

Effective Hamiltonians for calculation of rotational energy levels and relative intensities in open-shell clusters containing O2 ([formula omitted]) and a closed–shell molecule

We introduce two effective Hamiltonians that are suitable for analysis and fitting IR and MW high resolution spectra in non-planar or planar O2-closed-shell complexes, where the closed-shell moiety is a diatom or a triatomic molecule of any symmetry. These new Hamiltonians differ in our choice for the direction of quantization of the projection of the electron-spin angular momentum. For both electron-spin coupling schemes, the total rotation-spin-tunneling Hamiltonians include tunneling, electron-spin–spin coupling, electron-spin-rotation interaction, and centrifugal distortion forces. In addition, we introduce the appropriate molecular symmetry treatment for an O2 (3Σg-)-XY2 (e.g., O2-SO2 and O2-H2O) dimer in which the monomers exhibit permeation-inversion tunneling motion. Non-vanishing matrix elements of the total Hamiltonians and expectation values of six quantum numbers are evaluated in the appropriate basis set S,Ps;P,J,MJ. Diagonalization of the total Hamiltonian matrix provides the energy levels while the eigenfunctions are used to transform expectation values of the quantum numbers into the eigenfunctions basis and for calculation of relative intensities of the allowed transitions. The reported Hamiltonians were successfully applied for fitting the observed IR and FTMW spectra of the O2-DF and O2-SO2 complexes, respectively.

Nucleon-Pair Shell Model within a Symmetry Broken Basis

The nucleon-pair shell model (NPSM) within the framework of a broken symmetry basis is studied. The results demonstrate the validity of such a scheme, which in turn leads to a significant reduction in the dimensionality of the multi-pair configuration space. Specifically, in the case of an axially-deformed basis, the results yield a satisfactory description of the low-lying spectrum, even without the need for applying the projection procedure. In the case of a triaxially-deformed basis, the result of variation after angular momentum projection suggest a potential for using the NPSM to find exact solutions in a semi-magic system.

Determination of matter radius and neutron-skin thickness of 60,62,64Ni from reaction cross section of proton scattering on 60,62,64Ni targets

Background:In our previous work, we determined matter radii rm(exp) and neutron-skin thickness rskin(exp) from reaction cross sections σR(exp) of proton scattering on 208Pb, 58Ni, 40,48Ca, 12C targets, using the chiral (Kyushu) g-matrix folding model with the densities calculated with Gogny-D1S-HFB (D1S-GHFB) with angular momentum projection (AMP). The resultant rskin(exp) agree with the PREX2 and CREX values. As for 58Ni, our value is consistent with one determined from the differential cross section for 58Ni＋4He scattering. As for p＋60,62,64N scattering, σR(exp) are available as a function of incident energies Ein, where Ein=22.8∼65.5MeV for 60Ni, Ein=40,60.8MeV for 62Ni, Ein=40,60.8MeV for 64Ni. PurposeOur aim is to determine matter radii rm(exp) for 60,62,64Ni from the σR(exp). Method:Our method is the Kyushu g-matrix folding model with the densities scaled from D1S-GHFB ＋ AMP densities, Results:Our skin values are rskin(exp)=0.076±0.019,0.106±0.192,0.162±0.176 fm, and rm(exp)=3.759±0.011,3.811±0.107,3.864±0.101 fm for 60,62,64Ni, respectively.

A Century Ago the Stern–Gerlach Experiment Ruled Unequivocally in Favor of Quantum Mechanics

AbstractIn 1921, Otto Stern conceived the idea for an experiment that would decide between a classical and a quantum description of atomic behavior, as epitomized by the Bohr–Sommerfeld–Debye model of the atom. This model entailed not only the quantization of the magnitude of the orbital electronic angular momentum but also of the projection of the angular momentum on an external magnetic field – the so‐called space quantization. Stern recognized that space quantization would have observable consequences: namely, that the magnetic dipole moment due to the orbital angular momentum would be space quantized as well, taking two opposite values for atoms whose only unpaired electron has just one quantum of orbital angular momentum. When acted upon by a suitable inhomogeneous magnetic field, a beam of such atoms would be split into two beams consisting of deflected atoms with opposite projections of the orbital angular momentum on the magnetic field. In contradistinction, if atoms behaved classically, the atomic beam would only broaden along the field gradient and have maximum intensity at zero deflection, i. e., where there would be a minimum or no intensity for a beam split due to space quantization. Stern anticipated that, although simple in principle, the experiment would be difficult to carry out – and invited Walther Gerlach to team up with him. Gerlach's realism and experimental skills together with his sometimes stubborn determination to make things work proved invaluable for the success of the Stern–Gerlach experiment (SGE). After a long struggle, Gerlach finally saw, on 8 February 1922, the splitting of a beam of silver atoms in a magnetic field. The absence of the concept of electron spin confused and confounded the interpretation of the SGE, as the silver atoms were, in fact, in a 2S state, with zero orbital and spin angular momentum. However, a key quantum feature whose existence the SGE was designed to test – namely space quantization of electronic angular momentum – was robust enough to transpire independent of whether the electronic angular momentum was orbital or due to spin. The SGE entails other key aspects of quantum mechanics such as quantum measurement, state preparation, coherence, and entanglement. Confronted with the outcome of the SGE, Stern noted: “I still have objections to the idea of beauty of quantum mechanics. But she is correct.”