Neutron-deficient Nuclei Research Articles

Systematic study of [formula omitted]-decay in neutron-deficient nuclei

The α-decay half-lives of 266 neutron-deficient nuclei in the 52 ≤Z≤ 118 range are calculated within the density-dependent cluster model. The realistic Michigan three-range Yukawa-Paris nucleon–nucleon interaction is used to calculate the α-core interaction potential within the double-folding model (DFM) context. In addition to the double-folding model, four analytical formulas are employed to compute the half-life time for the neutron-deficient nuclei. The obtained results from the five theoretical approaches are compared to the most recent experimental data. The calculated results from the DFM and the universal decay law (UDL) were in good agreement with the experimental data. A universal curve for α-decay of neutron-deficient nuclei has been analyzed, illustrating the correlation between the decimal logarithm of the experimental half-lives and the negative decimal logarithm of penetrability. We studied the variation of log10T with the neutron number of the daughter nuclei, Nd, for different neutron-deficient isotopes in the range 78 ≤Z≤ 92. We attempt to predict the neutron energy levels for each isotope from the behavior of log10T against Nd. Moreover, the impact of higher-multipolarity deformations, up to hexacontratetrapole, on the behavior of α-decay half-lives around the neutron shell closure N=126 is investigated, both with and without including octupole deformation.

Direct observation of E0 transitions in 188Pb through in-beam spectroscopy

Competing configurations, assigned with three different shapes, are mixed at low angular momentum in the neutron-deficient 188Pb nucleus. Here, we present a simultaneous conversion electron and γ-ray in-beam spectroscopic precision measurement employing the sage spectrometer. The level energy of the first excited state, 02+, has been determined at 591(1)keV through direct measurement of conversion electrons. By using the intensity of the observed 02+→01+ transition to the ground state, the feeding of the 02+ state has been determined for the first time, which suggests the 02+ state is the head of the predominantly prolate band. The compositions of the 42+→41+ and 22+→21+ inter-band transitions have been determined, indicating configuration mixing between the bands.

First observation of excited states in 120La and its impact on the shape evolution in the A ≈ 120 mass region

Excited states have been observed for the first time in the very neutron-deficient odd-odd nucleus 57120La63. The observed γ rays have been assigned based on coincidences with lanthanum X rays measured with the JUROGAM 3 array and with A=120 fusion-evaporation residues measured with the MARA separator. The observed γ rays form a rotational band which decays to the ground state via a cascade of four low-energy transitions. Based on the systematic comparisons with the heavier odd-odd La isotopes we assign spin-parity 4+ to the ground state and a πh11/2⊗νh11/2 configuration to the rotational band. The nuclear shape has been investigated by the cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky model. Two quasiparticle plus triaxial rotor model calculations including the np interaction nicely reproduce the spin of the inversion between the even- and odd-spin cascades of E2 transitions, giving credit to the np interaction as an important parameter responsible for the mechanism inducing the inversion. The position of the Fermi levels, in particular for neutrons, also has a strong impact on the observed inversion in the chain of lanthanum nuclei.

Exploring the competition between α-decay and proton radioactivity: A comparative study of proximity potential formalisms

We have conducted a comprehensive and systematic study of the proton radioactivity and α-decay half-lives of neutron-deficient nuclei. This investigation involved the utilization of various Proximity potentials and also considered the incorporation of thermal effects. For the half-life calculations, we employed both temperature-independent and temperature-dependent interaction potentials. We observed that proton radioactivity serves as the dominant mode of decay for nuclides situated very close to the proton drip-line. We explored a universal curve that examines the correlation between the decimal logarithm of experimental half-lives and the negative decimal logarithm of the penetrability for both proton radioactivity and α-decay.

Determination of fission barrier height of Fr210 and Ra210 via neutron measurement

Fission barrier heights of short-lived nuclei away from line of β stability are not known reliably. Low-energy fission of Fr210 and Ra210, produced by (d,p) and (d,n) transfer reaction on the re-accelerated unstable beam Fr209 was investigated at HIE-ISOLDE. Four Timepix3 pixel detectors were installed on the body of the ACTAR TPC demonstrator chamber. Polyethylene converters were used for the detection of fast neutrons. Since no significant background was observed, it was possible to measure the spatial distribution of emitted neutrons reflecting the fission excitation function. Subsequent simulations employing the results of the code and available data on fission fragment distributions allowed to estimate directly the value of the fission barrier height for the neutron-deficient nucleus Fr210. This first direct measurement confirmed the reduction of the fission barrier compared to available theoretical calculations by 15–30%. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Octupole correlations in the N = Z + 2 = 56 110Xe nucleus

This letter reports on the first observation of an octupole band in the neutron-deficient (N=Z+2) nucleus 110Xe. The 110Xe nuclei were produced via the 54Fe(58Ni,2n) fusion-evaporation reaction. The emitted γ rays were detected using the jurogam 3γ-ray spectrometer, while the fusion-evaporation residues were separated with the MARA separator at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. The experimental observation of the low-lying 3− and 5− states and inter-band E1 transitions between the ground-state band and the octupole band proves the importance of octupole correlations in this region. These new experimental data combined with theoretical calculations using the symmetry-conserving configuration-mixing method, based on a Gogny energy density functional, have been interpreted as an evidence of enhanced octupole correlations in neutron-deficient xenon isotopes.

Deformation versus Sphericity in the Ground States of the Lightest Gold Isotopes.

The changes in mean-squared charge radii of neutron-deficient gold nuclei have been determined using the in-source, resonance-ionization laser spectroscopy technique, at the ISOLDE facility (CERN). From these new data, nuclear deformations are inferred, revealing a competition between deformed and spherical configurations. The isotopes ^{180,181,182}Au are observed to possess well-deformed ground states and, when moving to lighter masses, a sudden transition to near-spherical shapes is seen in the extremely neutron-deficient nuclides, ^{176,177,179}Au. A case of shape coexistence and shape staggering is identified in ^{178}Au which has a ground and isomeric state with different deformations. These new data reveal a pattern in ground-state deformation unique to the gold isotopes, whereby, when moving from the heavy to light masses, a plateau of well-deformed isotopes exists around the neutron midshell, flanked by near-spherical shapes in the heavier and lighter isotopes-a trend hitherto unseen elsewhere in the nuclear chart. The experimental charge radii are compared to those from Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations using the D1M Gogny interaction and configuration mixing between states of different deformation. The calculations are constrained by the known spins, parities, and magnetic moments of the ground states in gold nuclei and show a good agreement with the experimental results.

Systematic study of the widths of fission fragment mass distributions of neutron deficient compound nuclei in the medium mass region

Systematic study of the widths of fission fragment mass distributions of neutron deficient compound nuclei in the medium mass region

Alpha decay and cluster radioactivity investigation of actinide nuclei

Based on the Unified Fission Model with a Woods–Saxon potential (UFMWS), we have investigated alpha decay and cluster radioactivity of actinide nuclei. To ensure accuracy, we determined the most precise [Formula: see text]-values by comparing the results of four nuclear mass models: the liquid drop model (LDM), the DZ28 model, the WS4 model, and the finite range droplet model (FRDM), which were recently improved using a machine learning algorithm. Among these models, it is found that the improved WS4 (IWS4) provides the most accurate [Formula: see text]-values, enabling the UFMWS model to effectively reproduce experimental alpha and cluster decay half-lives. Consequently, the UFMWS model using IWS4 [Formula: see text]-values was employed to explore various combinations of parent nuclei and alpha particle as well as even–even emitted clusters ranging from Be to Si. The obtained results are consistent with previous study that identified minima in half-lives near corresponding to the doubly magic [Formula: see text]Pb daughter nucleus or its neighboring nuclei. It is found that neutron-deficient parent nuclei generally displayed the shortest half-lives, most of which are within the experimental range. Considering the experimental limitations, cluster decays favorable for measurement in the actinide region were identified. Interestingly, these decays did not involve the most neutron-deficient nuclei.

Self-Consistent Calculation of Nuclear Charge Radii in K Isotopes

Fully self-consistent study of the charge radii in Ca region is exemplified by the calculation in the long chains of K isotopes. The neutron-deficient and neutron-rich nuclei with pairing in both neutron and proton sectors, as well as the (semi-) magic nuclei around the closed neutron shells at N = 20, 28, 32 are treated within the Energy Density Functional (EDF) approach with the Fayans functional DF3-a. The performance of the DF3-a is analysed in describing the odd-even staggering effects found both in previous and in more recent CERN-ISOLDE experiments for 36–52K isotopes.

Deformed shell stabilities influencing the fragment formation in sub-lead nuclei

The fragment mass distributions from fission in the sub-lead nuclei gave traces of the co-existence of symmetric and asymmetric fission modes. To investigate the major drivers behind the observed asymmetry, we have accumulated the fission data of 19 neutron-deficient lead island nuclei from the last few years and compared them with the corresponding predictions made by the GEF (General description of fission observables) model. Consequently, both experimental and theoretical analysis performed to extract asymmetric fission properties led to similar results, showing the deformed proton shell gaps, at Z = 34 for light fragments and Z = 42, 44, and 46 for heavier fragments, associated with large quadrupole deformations as the possible origin for the asymmetric split for all isotopes ranging from 178−198Hg, 176−186Pt, and 179−191Au. These observations contradicted the earlier theoretical report where neutron numbers were declared to play a leading role in deciding asymmetric fission. This disagreement motivated us to get better insight by extending the examination over a large domain around Pb covering Hg, Pt, Au, Pb, and Po nuclides. Although protons in the light fragments are still spotted to be constant and influenced by the deformed shell gaps at Z = 34, protons in the heavier fragments are found increasing with rising ZCN and gave evidence of negligible influence from Z = 42, 44, and 46 shell gaps. Interestingly, the excellent compatibility of GEF results with the experimental outcomes proved it an efficient model for extracting fragment properties. However, it could only reproduce the experimental symmetric fission fraction (SFF) within the 30–52 MeV energy window. The GEF's inadequate predictability of the multichance fission contributions might be considered as one of the possible reasons behind the observed disagreements between the GEF and experimental SFF above 52 MeV. Moreover, the other reason might be the inadequate modeling of the evolution of the fission fragment mass/charge distribution with excitation energy.

Re-examination of β-decay in Hg, Pb and Po Isotopes

This study re-examines the effect of nuclear deformation on the calculated Gamow-Teller (GT) strength distributions of neutron-deficient (178−192Hg, 185−194Pb and 196−206Po) nuclei. The nuclear ground state properties and shape parameters were calculated using the Relativistic Mean Field model. Three different density-dependent interactions (D3C, DD-ME2 and DD-PC1) were used in the calculation. Estimated shape parameters were later used within the framework of deformed proton-neutron quasi-random phase approximations model, with a separable interaction, to calculate the GT strength distributions, half-lives and branching ratios for these neutron–deficient isotopes. It was concluded that half-lives and GT strength distributions vary considerably with change in shape parameter.

Revisiting band structures in 118Xe nucleus via in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy* *The authors are grateful for the pelletron and support staff of IUAC, New Delhi. We would also like to acknowledge the contribution of the INGA collaboration, which is partially funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST, GoI; project no. IR/S2/PF-03/2003-I) and University Grants Commission (UGC). This work was

The neutron deficient Xe nuclei with A 120 are predicted to have strong octupole correlation at low spins. In the present study, an attempt was made to improve upon the level scheme and also to examine the signatures of octupole correlation in Xe via high spin γ-ray spectroscopy. High spin states in Xe have been populated via the Nb(Si, p2n)Xe fusion-evaporation reaction at a beam energy of 115 MeV provided by the 15 UD pelletron accelerator facility at IUAC, New Delhi. In the experiment, seven new γ-transitions have been found and placed appropriately in the level scheme. A theoretical study using the triaxial projected shell model (TPSM) approach suggests that the first bandcrossing is due to the alignment of two neutrons, and a parallel band tracking the yrast configuration is the γ-band built on the two-quasiparticle state. Enhanced E1 transition rates measured between opposite parity bands involving νh and ν d orbitals having Δj = Δl = 3 indicate the presence of octupole correlation in this nucleus.

Isospin-Symmetry Breaking within the Nuclear Shell Model: Present Status and Developments

The paper reviews the recent progress in the description of isospin-symmetry breaking within the nuclear shell model and applications to actual problems related to the structure and decay of exotic neutron-deficient nuclei and nuclei along the N=Z line, where N is the neutron number and Z the atomic number. The review recalls the fundamentals of the isospin formalism for two-nucleon and many-nucleon systems, including quantum numbers, the spectrum’s structure and selection rules for weak and electromagnetic transitions; and at the end, summarizes experimental signatures of isospin-symmetry breaking effects, which motivated efforts towards the creation of a relevant theoretical framework to describe those phenomena. The main approaches to construct accurate isospin-nonconserving Hamiltonians within the shell model are briefly described and recent advances in the description of the structure and (isospin-forbidden) decay modes of neutron-deficient nuclei are highlighted. The paper reviews major implications of the developed theoretical tools to (i) the fundamental interaction studies on nuclear decays and (ii) the estimation of the rates of nuclear reactions that are important for nuclear astrophysics. The shell model is shown to be one of the most suitable approaches to describing isospin-symmetry breaking in nuclear states at low energies. Further efforts in extending and refining the description to larger model spaces, and in developing first-principle theories to deal with isospin-symmetry breaking in many-nucleon systems, seem to be indispensable steps towards our better understanding of nuclear properties in the precision era.

Production Cross Sections of Neutron-deficient Nuclei in \(Z=30\)–36 Region in \(^{78}\)Kr+Be Fragmentation Reaction

Production Cross Sections of Neutron-deficient Nuclei in \(Z=30\)–36 Region in \(^{78}\)Kr+Be Fragmentation Reaction

β-decay spectroscopy of neutron-deficient nuclei

A systematic study of the β-decay of neutron-deficient nuclei has been carried out and has provided spectroscopic information of importance for both nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics. Following an overview of the most relevant achievements, we focus on the latest results on the β decay of 60Ge and 62Ge. We also summarise our results on the mass excesses in comparison with systematics and a recent measurement. Finally, we present updated half-life trends for Tz = -1/2, -1 and -2 neutron-deficient nuclides.

A walk along the proton drip-line by β-decay spectroscopy

During the last decade we have carried out a systematic study of the β decay of neutron-deficient nuclei, providing rich spectroscopic information of importance for both nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics. We present an overview of the most relevant achievements, including the discovery of a new exotic decay mode in the fp-shell, the β-delayed γ-proton decay in 56Zn, the first observation of the 2+ isomer in 52Co and the latest results on the heavier systems 60Ge and 62Ge. We also report on our deduced mass excesses in comparison with systematics and a recent measurement. Finally, we summarise our results on the half-lives of Tz = -1/2, -1 and -2 neutron-deficient nuclides, and analyse their trend.

Structure and α decay for the neutron-deficient nuclei with 89≤Z≤94 in the density-dependent cluster model combined with a relativistic mean-field approach

The density-dependent cluster model combined with relativistic mean-field theory is used to explore the structure and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay for the neutron-deficient nuclei with $89\ensuremath{\le}Z\ensuremath{\le}94$, including two newly discovered nuclei $^{207}\mathrm{Th}$ [Phys. Rev. C 105, L051302 (2022)] and $^{214}\mathrm{U}$ [Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 152502 (2021)]. The effective nucleon-nucleon interactions and matter density distributions from the relativistic mean field are employed to construct the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-daughter potential with a double-folding model. The Pauli blocking effect is considered by normalizing the strength of the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-daughter potential with the Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization condition. The $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-preformation factor is calculated with the cluster formation model. The calculated $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay half-lives for the 106 observed nuclei with $89\ensuremath{\le}Z\ensuremath{\le}94$ are in excellent agreement with experimental data. Extending this model to the unknown nuclei $^{201--204}\mathrm{Ac}$, $^{205--206}\mathrm{Th}$, $^{209--210}\mathrm{Pa}$, $^{212--213,220}\mathrm{U}$, $^{215--218,221}\mathrm{Np}$, and $^{220--227}\mathrm{Pu}$, the evolution of the $N=126$ shell closure with neutron number is explored for the high-$Z$ isotopes. The available $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay energies, preformation factors, and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay half-lives show a regular change with increasing neutron number. Especially, the robustness of the $N=126$ shell closure is shown up to the Pu isotopes.

Production of neutron-deficient nuclei around N = 126 by proton-induced spallation* *Supported by the Open Project of Guangxi Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Technology (NLK2020-02), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11875328, 12075327) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Sun Yat-Sen University (22qntd1801)

Many isotopes of Np, Pu, Am, and Cm around the N = 126 shell still have not been produced in the laboratory. This study aims to investigate the cross sections and yields of the neutron-deficient nuclei of Np, Pu, Am, and Cm produced in the proton-induced spallations of transuranium elements. The isospin-dependent quantum molecular dynamics (IQMD) model is applied to study the dynamical process of reaction, and the subsequent decay process is simulated by the GEMINI++ model. The IQMD-GEMINI++ model is applied to calculate the cross section, kinetic energy, and angular distribution of the isotopic productions around N = 126. The Lindhand, Scharff, and Schiott theory is applied to calculate the energy loss of different heavy nuclei in the target material. A comparison between the data and the calculations shows that the IQMD-GEMINI++ model can reproduce the production cross sections of the neutron-deficient nuclei in spallation within approximately 1.5 orders of magnitude. The maximum cross section of the undiscovered isotopes of Np, Pu, Am, and Cm is about 10−5 mb, while the kinetic energies of the productions are all less than 16 MeV. The angular distribution shows that the emission direction of production is mostly at a backward angle. The range of production in the target is within the range of 10−7 to 10−5 cm. This range is the effective target thickness for the online identification of undiscovered isotopes. Based on the effective thickness of the target and assuming an intensity of 120 μA for the proton beam, the yields of the undiscovered neutron-deficient nuclei are calculated. Productions of the undiscovered isotopes of Np, Pu, Am, and Cm by the proton-induced spallations of transuranium elements are feasible. However, experimental techniques for online identification of neutron-deficient nuclei produced in proton-induced spallation should be developed.

Structure of ^{36}Ca under the Coulomb Magnifying Glass.

Detailed spectroscopy of the neutron-deficient nucleus ^{36}Ca was obtained up to 9MeV using the ^{37}Ca(p,d)^{36}Ca and the ^{38}Ca(p,t)^{36}Ca transfer reactions. The radioactive nuclei, produced by the LISE spectrometer at GANIL, interacted with the protons of the liquid hydrogen target CRYPTA, to produce light ejectiles (the deuteron d or triton t) that were detected in the MUST2 detector array, in coincidence with the heavy residues identified by a zero-degree detection system. Our main findings are (i)a similar shift in energy for the 1_{1}^{+} and 2_{1}^{+} states by about -250 keV, as compared with the mirror nucleus ^{36}S; (ii)the discovery of an intruder 0_{2}^{+} state at 2.83(13)MeV, which appears below the first 2^{+} state, in contradiction with the situation in ^{36}S; and (iii)a tentative 0_{3}^{+} state at 4.83(17)MeV, proposed to exhibit a bubble structure with two neutron vacancies in the 2s_{1/2} orbit. The inversion between the 0_{2}^{+} and 2_{1}^{+} states is due to the large mirror energy difference (MED) of -516(130) keV for the former. This feature is reproduced by shell model calculations, using the sd-pf valence space, predicting an almost pure intruder nature for the 0_{2}^{+} state, with two protons (neutrons) being excited across the Z=20 magic closure in ^{36}Ca (^{36}S). This mirror system has the largest MEDs ever observed, if one excludes the few cases induced by the effect of the continuum.