Angular Momentum Projection Research Articles

Variational Monte Carlo method for shell-model calculations in odd-mass nuclei and restoration of symmetry

We investigate two kinds of extensions for the variational Monte Carlo (VMC) method with the Pfaffian in the nuclear shell-model calculations. One is the extension to odd-mass nuclei, for which we find a new Pfaffian expression of the VMC matrix elements. We can, thereby, give a unified VMC framework both for even and odd mass nuclei. The other is the extension of the variation after angular-momentum projection. We successfully implement the full angular-momentum projected trial state into the VMC method, which can provide us with the precise yrast energies. We also find a unique characteristic, namely that this angular-momentum projection in the VMC can be even "approximately" performed. This characteristic is useful not only for efficient computation but also for precise estimation of the yrast energies through the energy-variance extrapolation.

Beyond mean-field approach for pear-shaped hypernuclei

We develop both relativistic mean field and beyond approaches for hypernuclei with possible quadrupole-octupole deformation or pear-like shapes based on relativistic point-coupling energy density functionals. The symmetries broken in the mean-field states are recovered with parity, particle-number, and angular momentum projections. We take $^{21}_\Lambda$Ne as an example to illustrate the method, where the $\Lambda$ hyperon is put on one of the two lowest-energy orbits (labeled as $\Lambda_s, \Lambda_p$), respectively. We find that the $\Lambda$ hyperon in both cases disfavors the formation of a reflection-asymmetric molecular-like $^{16}$O$+\alpha$ structure in $^{20}$Ne, which is consistent with the Nilsson diagram for the hyperon in $(\beta_2, \beta_3)$ deformation plane. In particular, we show that the negative-parity states with the configuration $^{20}$Ne($K^\pi=0^-)\otimes \Lambda_s$ are close in energy to those with the configuration $^{20}$Ne($K^\pi=0^+)\otimes \Lambda_p$, even though they have very different structures. The $\Lambda_s$ ($\Lambda_p$) becomes more and more concentrated around the bottom (top) of the "pear" with the increase of octupole deformation.

Symmetry conserving configuration mixing description of odd mass nuclei

We present a self-consistent theory for the description of the spectroscopic properties of odd nuclei which includes exact blocking, particle-number and angular-momentum projection and configuration mixing. In our theory the pairing correlations are treated in a variation-after-projection approach and the triaxial deformation parameters are explicitly considered as generator coordinates. The angular-momentum and particle-number symmetries are exactly recovered. The use of the effective finite-range density-dependent Gogny force in the calculations provides an added value to the theoretical results. We apply the theory to the textbook example of 25Mg and, although this nucleus has been thoroughly studied in the past, we still provide a novel view of nuclear phenomena taking place in this nucleus. We obtain an overall good agreement with the known experimental energies and transition probabilities without any additional parameter such as effective charges. In particular, we clearly identify six bands, two of which we interpret as collective gamma bands.

Alternating Parity Band in Octupole-Soft 140Xe with Axial Vibrational-Rotational Model and Triaxial Rigid Rotor Model**Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos 11675094 and 11622540, and the Young Scholars Program of Shandong University under Grant No 2015WHWLJH01.

Energies of the yrast positive- and negative-parity excited states in 140Xe are reproduced by two different models considering quadrupole-octupole deformations, namely the axial vibrational-rotational model and the triaxial rigid rotor model, and compared with the stable octupole-deformed 222Th. The origin of the energy difference between the opposite parity sequences is considered from two different mechanisms, the vibration in axial deformed energy minima and the rotation considering the effective triaxial deformation. The success of reproducing the data in both the models implies that these two mechanisms are equivalent on some level for the octupole-soft nuclei. By investigating the probability distributions for projection of total angular momentum in the triaxial rigid rotor model, it is found that such an energy difference is associated with the difference of orientation of the rotational axis.

Systematic study of high-K isomers in the midshell Gd and Dy nuclei

High-K isomers are well known in the rare-earth region and provide unique access to the high spin structures of the nuclei. With the current interest in the study of neutron-rich rare-earth nuclei at Radioactive Ion Beam (RIB) facilities, we present here theoretical results of the band structures of neutron-rich Gd and Dy nuclei, including the high K-isomers. Apart from the already known K-isomers, we predict some more K-isomers and these are suggested for future studies at RIB facilities. Self-consistent Deformed Hartree-Fock and Angular Momentum Projection theories are used to get the intrinsic structures, band-spectra and electromagnetic transitions probabilities of the ground band as well as bands based on isomers.

First-order Coriolis-coupling for the rotational spectrum of a tetrahedrally deformed core plus one-particle system

The possible existence of shape-coexisting nuclear configurations with tetrahedral symmetry is receiving an increasing attention due to unprecedented nuclear structure properties, in particular in terms of the exotic 4-fold nucleonic level degeneracies and the expected long lifetimes which may become a new decisive argument in the exotic nuclei research programs. The present article addresses the rotational structure properties of the tetrahedrally-symmetric even-even core configurations coupled with a single valence nucleon. We focus on the properties of the associated Coriolis-coupling Hamiltonian proposing the solutions based on the explicit construction of the bases of the irreducible representations of the tetrahedral point-group on the one-hand side and the microscopic angular-momentum and parity projection nuclear mean-field approach on the other. It is shown that for one-particle occupying an orbital belonging to the $E_{1/2}$ or $E_{5/2}$ irreducible representation, the rotational spectrum splits into two sequences, the structures analogous to those of the $K=1/2$ rotational bands in the axially symmetric nuclei. Although the spectrum is generally more complicated for one-particle occupying a 4-fold degenerate orbital belonging to the $G_{3/2}$ representation, an appearance of the correlated double-sequence structures persists. The spectra of the doubly-magic tetrahedral core plus one-particle systems can be well interpreted using the analytical solutions of the first order Coriolis-coupling Hamiltonian. We introduce the notion of the generalized decoupling parameters, which determine the size of the energy-splitting between the double-sequence structures.

Excitons and Biexcitons in Spheroidal Quantum Dots A2B6

In the limit of strong quantum confinement the lower energy states of excitons and biexcitons in spheroidal quantum dots of semiconductors with a fourfold degenerate vertex of the valence band, which are active in the dipole approximation at one- and two-photon excitation, have been considered. The comparative analysis of the order of energy levels of the hole in the potentials of the infinitely deep quantum well and a three-dimensional harmonic oscillator taking into account the axial anisotropy of the quantum dot (QD) shape is carried out. It is shown that the anisotropy of the QD shape can lead to the opposite sign of splitting with respect to angular momentum projection ±3/2, ±1/2 for spatially odd (1P3/2) and even (1S3/2) levels of the hole. At the same time, in the case of the potential of an infinitely deep quantum well, an inversion of the order of 1S3/2 and 1P3/2 levels can be observed at values of the ratio of the effective masses of the light and heavy holes β = mlh/mhh ≈ 0.14. The type of the trial wave functions of the hole for the state 1P3/2 in the potential of an isotropic three-dimensional harmonic oscillator depending on β is proposed. The dependence of the binding energy of excitons in the considered potentials on β is presented and the possibility of formation of various biexcitonic states is considered.

Relativistic Quantum Dynamics of Twisted Electron Beams in Arbitrary Electric and Magnetic Fields.

Relativistic quantum dynamics of twisted (vortex) Dirac particles in arbitrary electric and magnetic fields are constructed for the first time. This allows us to change the controversial contemporary situation when the nonrelativistic approximation is used for relativistic twisted electrons. The relativistic Hamiltonian and equations of motion in the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation are derived. A critical experiment for a verification of the results obtained is proposed. The new important effect of a radiative orbital polarization of a twisted electron beam in a magnetic field resulting in a nonzero average projection of the intrinsic orbital angular momentum on the field direction is predicted.

Proton Spin Puzzle and Confinement of Quarks

It is shown that the confinement effect that is significant at great distances from the nucleon center is capable of inducing the appreciable quark helicity flip. A simultaneous change in projections of the orbital angular momentum of quarks on the direction of their motion, which follows from the Dirac equation, ensures the conservation of the total angular momentum of the system. Thus, a part of the proton spin, measured in experiments with deep inelastic scattering of leptons, may be hidden in the orbital angular momentum of quarks.

An upwind cell centred Total Lagrangian finite volume algorithm for nearly incompressible explicit fast solid dynamic applications

The paper presents a new computational framework for the numerical simulation of fast large strain solid dynamics, with particular emphasis on the treatment of near incompressibility. A complete set of first order hyperbolic conservation equations expressed in terms of the linear momentum and the minors of the deformation (namely the deformation gradient, its co-factor and its Jacobian), in conjunction with a polyconvex nearly incompressible constitutive law, is presented. Taking advantage of this elegant formalism, alternative implementations in terms of entropy-conjugate variables are also possible, through suitable symmetrisation of the original system of conservation variables. From the spatial discretisation standpoint, modern Computational Fluid Dynamics code “OpenFOAM” [http://www.openfoam.com/] is here adapted to the field of solid mechanics, with the aim to bridge the gap between computational fluid and solid dynamics. A cell centred finite volume algorithm is employed and suitably adapted. Naturally, discontinuity of the conservation variables across control volume interfaces leads to a Riemann problem, whose resolution requires special attention when attempting to model materials with predominant nearly incompressible behaviour (κ∕μ≥500). For this reason, an acoustic Riemann solver combined with a preconditioning procedure is introduced. In addition, a global a posteriori angular momentum projection procedure proposed in Haider et al. (2017) is also presented and adapted to a Total Lagrangian version of the nodal scheme of Kluth and Després (2010) used in this paper for comparison purposes. Finally, a series of challenging numerical examples is examined in order to assess the robustness and applicability of the proposed methodology with an eye on large scale simulation in future works.

Fast and accurate circularization of a Rydberg atom

Preparation of a so-called circular state in a Rydberg atom where the projection of the electron angular momentum takes its maximum value is challenging due to the required amount of angular momentum transfer. Currently available protocols for circular state preparation are either accurate but slow or fast but error-prone. Here, we show how to use quantum optimal control theory to derive pulse shapes that realize fast and accurate circularization of a Rydberg atom. In particular, we present a theoretical proposal for optimized radio-frequency pulses that achieve high fidelity in the shortest possible time, given current experimental limitations on peak amplitudes and spectral bandwidth. We also discuss the fundamental quantum speed limit for circularization of a Rydberg atom, when lifting these constraints.

Beams of photons with nonzero projections of orbital angular momenta: new results

Solving Maxwell’s equations in cylindrical coordinates yields states in quantum theory with definite values of energy ℏω, longitudinal momentum ℏkz, and total angular momentum projection ℏm on the z-axis (where ℏ is the Planck constant). Experimentally, values of up to ℏm Ȉ 104 ℏ have been obtained for the last quantity. The wave front of such states is like a meat grinder screw, with the lines of force of the Poynting vector representing the screw line. Such states differ from plane waves by the nonzero orbital angular momentum projection on the direction of motion, and from spherical waves, by the definite direction of motion. For brevity, these states are referred to as ‘twisted photons’. In this paper, recent experimental and theoretical results on twisted photons are reviewed, to which the present authors actively contributed. Detailed discussion is given to recent experiments on the production of high-intensity beams of terahertz (wavelength: 140 μm) twisted photons performed on the Novosibirsk free electron laser at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, SB RAS. Recent theoretical work on the interaction of twisted photons with atoms is summarized. Due to their extra degree of freedom — the projection of the total angular momentum on the direction of motion — twisted photons represent a novel research tool of potentially wide application in physics.

Analysis of angular momentum properties of photons emitted in fundamental atomic processes

Many atomic processes result in the emission of photons. Analysis of the properties of emitted photons, such as energy and angular distribution as well as polarization, is regarded as a powerful tool for gaining more insight into the physics of corresponding processes. Another characteristic of light is the projection of its angular momentum upon propagation direction. This property has attracted a special attention over the last decades due to studies of twisted (or vortex) light beams. Measurements being sensitive to this projection may provide valuable information about the role of angular momentum in the fundamental atomic processes. Here we describe a simple theoretical method for determination of the angular momentum properties of the photons emitted in various atomic processes. This method is based on the evaluation of expectation value of the total angular momentum projection operator. To illustrate the method, we apply it to the text-book examples of plane-wave, spherical-wave, and Bessel light. Moreover, we investigate the projection of angular momentum for the photons emitted in the process of the radiative recombination with ionic targets. It is found that the recombination photons do carry a non-zero projection of the orbital angular momentum.

Probability of radiation of twisted photons by classical currents

The general formula for the probability of radiation of a twisted photon by a classical current is derived. The general theory of generation of twisted photons by undulators is developed. It is proved that the probability to record a twisted photon produced by a classical current is equal to the average number of twisted photons in a given state. The general formula for the projection of the total angular momentum of twisted photons with given the energy, the longitudinal projection of momentum, and the helicity is obtained. The symmetry property of the average number of twisted photons produced by a charged particle moving along a planar trajectory is found. The explicit formulas for the average number of twisted photons generated by undulators both in the dipole and wiggler regimes are obtained. It is established that, for the forward radiation of an ideal right-handed helical undulator, the harmonic number $n$ of the twisted photon coincides with its projection of the total angular momentum $m$. As for the ideal left-handed helical undulator, we obtain that $m=-n$. It is found that the forward radiation of twisted photons by a planar undulator obeys the selection rule that $n+m$ is an even number. It turns out that the average number of twisted photons produced by the undulator and detected off the undulator axis is a periodic function of $m$ in a certain spectral band of the quantum numbers $m$.

Rotational motion of triaxially deformed nuclei studied by the microscopic angular-momentum-projection method. I. Nuclear wobbling motion

Rotation of triaxially deformed nucleus has been an interesting subject in the study of nuclear structure. In the present series of work, we investigate wobbling motion and chiral rotation by employing the microscopic framework of angular-momentum projection from cranked triaxially deformed mean-field states. In this first part the wobbling motion is studied in detail. The consequences of the three dimensional cranking are investigated. It is demonstrated that the multiple wobbling rotational bands naturally appear as a result of fully microscopic calculation. They have the characteristic properties, that are expected from the macroscopic triaxial-rotor model or the phenomenological particle-triaxial-rotor model, although quantitative agreement with the existing data is not achieved. It is also found that the excitation spectrum reflects dynamics of the angular-momentum vector in the intrinsic frame of the mean-field (transverse vs. longitudinal wobbling). The results obtained by using the Woods-Saxon potential and the schematic separable interaction are mainly discussed, while some results with the Gogny D1S interaction are also presented.

Rotational motion of triaxially deformed nuclei studied by the microscopic angular-momentum-projection method. II. Chiral doublet band

In the sequel of the present study, we have investigated the rotational motion of triaxially deformed nucleus by using the microscopic framework of angular-momentum projection. The Woods-Saxon potential and the schematic separable-type interaction are employed as a microscopic Hamiltonian. As the first example nuclear wobbling motion was studied in detail in the part~I of the series. This second part reports on another interesting rotational mode, chiral doublet bands: two prototype examples, $^{128}$Cs and $^{104}$Rh, are investigated. It is demonstrated that the doublet bands naturally appear as a result of the calculation in this fully microscopic framework without any kind of core, and they have the characteristic properties of the $B(E2)$ and $B(M1)$ transition probabilities, which are expected from the phenomenological triaxial particle-rotor coupling model.

Rayleigh scattering of twisted light by hydrogenlike ions

The elastic Rayleigh scattering of twisted light and, in particular, the polarization (transfer) of the scattered photons have been analyzed within the framework of second-order perturbation theory and Dirac's relativistic equation. Special attention was paid hereby to the scattering on three different atomic targets: single atoms, a mesoscopic (small) target, and a macroscopic (large) target, which are all centered with regard to the beam axis. Detailed calculations of the polarization Stokes parameters were performed for C^{5+} ions and for twisted Bessel beams. It is shown that the polarization of scattered photons is sensitive to the size of an atomic target and to the helicity, the opening angle, and the projection of the total angular momentum of the incident Bessel beam. These computations indicate more that the Stokes parameters of the (Rayleigh) scattered twisted light may significantly differ from their behaviour for an incident plane-wave radiation.

H/D + Li2 LiH/LiD + Li reactions studied by quantum time-dependent wave packet approach

The isotopic effect is a significant way to further understand the reaction mechanism without greatly changing the system. However, the isotopic effect of the H + Li2 reaction has received little attention in previous theoretical studies. Furthermore, as a deep potential well exists on the reaction path, obtaining convergent result is very time-consuming. So some approximate methods were used in previous theoretical calculations. However the Coriolis coupling effect plays an important role in the reaction, and thus whether these approximate methods are reasonable needs further testing. Based on the potential energy surface (PES) reported by Song et al., the dynamical calculations of H/D + Li2 LiH/LiD + Li reactions are carried out by time dependent quantum wave packet method with second order split operator in a collision energy range from 0 to 0.4 eV. In order to obtain the convergent results, lots of convergence tests are carried out and because the Coriolis coupling effect plays an important role in the reaction, all the number of projections of total angular momentum J are included in the present calculation. The dynamical properties such as reaction probability, integral cross section, differential cross section are calculated and compared with previous theoretical values. Large discrepancies are found between present results and the values obtained from Gao et al. especially at high collision energies. Owing to the fact that the same PES is applied to the calculation and Gao's results of total angular momentum J=0 accord well with the present values, we suppose that the parameters used in the calculation have little influence on the final results and the main discrepancies are attributed to the number of projections of total angular momentum which are cut off in Gao et al.'s calculation. In order to verify our speculation, the numbers of projections of total angular momentum which are 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25, are considered in the calculation, respectively. The results indicate that the main discrepancy between present values and the results obtained from Gao et al. can be attributed to the number of projections of total angular momentum used in Gao et al.'s calculation that is not convergent, and that the present values are more accurate than previous theoretical studies for all the numbers of projections of total angular momentum which are included in the calculation. Furthermore, when the H atom is substituted by the heavy isotope D atom, the reaction probability and integral cross section become large. However, it does not generate large effect on the reaction mechanism. The forward and backward symmetry differential cross section signals indicate that the complex forming reaction mechanism dominates the reaction.

Twisted particles as a new tool to study micro world phenomena and processes

Twisted or vortex particles are a new powerful tool to study atomic and molecular processes as well as phenomena that occur at the level of nano-objects. The main feature of such particles is that they carry a non-zero projection of orbital angular momentum along the beam propagation direction. The process of twisted electron scattering from diatomic molecule targets has been studied in this paper for the first time. The Yukawa potential is selected as a model potential. Numerical calculations are carried out for the case of scattering from a hydrogen molecule H2.

Pairing correlations and symmetries in odd-A nuclei.

The pairing correlations in odd-A nuclei are analyzed in the mean field approximation and beyond. In particular the role of symmetry conservation is investigated. We find that particle number projection after the variation (PN-PAV) has little effect on the pairing correlations specially in the weak pairing regime. This is in contrast to the variation after particle number projection (PN-VAP) approach where a strong effect is found. The situation is specially critical in odd nuclei because the pairing correlations vanish due to the blocking effect and the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov wave function collapses to the Hartree-Fock one. The PN-VAP, however, handles perfectly the exact blocking providing highly correlated wave functions. The role of the angular momentum projection is studied only in the PAV approach. We find small changes of the pairing correlation, at least at small angular momentum. In the calculations we use the Gogny interaction well suited to this kind of studies.