Deformation-energy surfaces of 54 even-even isotopes of Pt, Hg and Pb nuclei with neutron numbers up to 126 are investigated within a macroscopic-microscopic model based on the Lublin-Strasbourg-Drop macroscopic energy and shell plus pairing-energy corrections obtained from a Yukawa-folded mean-field potential at the desired deformation. A new, rapidly converging Fourier shape parametrization is used to describe nuclear shapes. The stability of shape isomeric states with respect to non-axial and higher-order deformations is investigated.
We clarify the origin of the anomalously hindered $E2$ decay from the $4^+_1$ level in $^{44}$S by performing a novel many-body analysis in the shell model. Within a unified picture about the occurrence of isomerism in neutron-rich sulfur isotopes, the $4^+_1$ state is demonstrated to be a $K=4$ isomer dominated by the two-quasiparticle configuration $νΩ^π=1/2^-\otimesνΩ^π=7/2^-$. The $4^+_1$ state in $^{44}$S is a new type of high-$K$ isomer which has significant triaxiality.
Quadrupole moments and charge radii in cadmium isotopes are studied from a microscopic perspective. The results obtained from self-consistent deformed Hartree-Fock+BCS calculations with Skyrme forces are compared with isomer and isotope shifts measured from high resolution laser spectroscopy experiments. The microscopic calculations reproduce fairly well the main features observed in those isotopes that include the linear increase with the neutron number of the quadrupole moments of the 11/2- isomers, as well as the parabolic behavior of the mean-square charge radii difference between isomers …
The rotational properties of the neutron rich Nd and Sm isotopes with mass number $A\approx150$ are systematically investigated using the cranked shell model with pairing correlations treated by a particle-number conserving method, in which the Pauli blocking effects are taken into account exactly. The 2-quasiparticle states in even-even Nd and Sm isotopes with excitation energies lower than 2.5~MeV are systematically calculated. The available data can be well reproduced and some possible 2 and 4-quasiparticle isomers are also suggested for future experiments. The experimentally observed rotat…
We probe the $N=82$ nuclear shell closure by mass measurements of neutron-rich cadmium isotopes with the ISOLTRAP spectrometer at ISOLDE-CERN. The new mass of $^{132}$Cd offers the first value of the $N=82$, two-neutron shell gap below $Z=50$ and confirms the phenomenon of mutually enhanced magicity at $^{132}$Sn. Using the recently implemented phase-imaging ion-cyclotron-resonance method, the ordering of the low-lying isomers in $^{129}$Cd and their energies are determined. The new experimental findings are used to test large-scale shell-model, mean-field and beyond-mean-field calculations, a…
In this paper, we investigate the generalized seniority scheme and the validity of Generalized Seniority Schmidt Model in and around the $Z=82$ semi-magic region. A consistently same multi-j configuration is used to explain all the nuclear spectroscopic properties such as $g-$factors, $Q-$moments and $B(E2)$ trends for the ${13/2}^+$, ${12}^+$ and ${33/2}^+$ isomers in all the three Hg, Pb and Po isotopic chains. The inverted parabolic $B(E2)$ trends for the first $2^+$ states in Hg, Pb and Po isotopes are also explained using the generalized seniority scheme. A comparison with the experimenta…
Inspired by the newly discovered isomeric states in the rare-earth neutron-rich nuclei, high-$K$ isomeric states in neutron-rich samarium and gadolinium isotopes are investigated within the framework of the cranked shell model (CSM) with pairing correlation treated by a particle-number-conserving (PNC) method. The experimental multi-particle state energies and moments of inertia are reproduced quite well by the PNC-CSM calculations. A remarkable effect from the high-order deformation $\varepsilon_{6}$ is demonstrated. Based on the occupation probabilities, the configurations are assigned to th…
The electromagnetic features of the $11/2^-$ isomers in the $^{111-127}$Cd isotopes are reproduced by numerically optimized shell-model wave-functions. A sudden phase change of the wave functions at $N = 70$ is identified and further confirmed by the evolution of B(E2, $7/2^-_1\rightarrow 11/2^-_1$) values. This phase change gives rise to different linear relations for the $Q$ and $μ$ values with $N<70$ and $N>70$, as needed to reproduce the experimental data. The particle-hole transformation properties for $h_{11/2}$ neutrons in a well-isolated subshell involving degenerate $s_{1/2}$, $d_{3/2…
The isotope $^{229}$Th is unique in that it possesses an isomeric state of only a few eV above the ground state, suitable for nuclear laser excitation. An optical clock based on this transition is expected to be a very sensitive probe for variations of fundamental constants, but the nuclear properties of both states have to be determined precisely to derive the actual sensitivity. We carry out isotope shift calculations in Th$^+$ and Th$^{2+}$ including the specific mass shift, using a combination of configuration interaction and all-order linearized coupled-cluster methods and estimate the un…
Isotopes with low-lying long-lived isomers can behave very differently from other isotopes in astrophysical environments. In particular, the assumption of thermal equilibrium in computing the temperature-dependent $β$-decay rates of such isotopes can fail below certain temperatures. We focus on the $β$-decay of $^{26}$Al since it is one of the most important isotopes in observational astrophysics and has a low-lying isomeric state; we compare and contrast these results with $^{34}$Cl. We rule out recently reported $^{26}$Al effective $β$-decay rates that showed large differences from previous …
Isomeric studies in neutron-rich nuclei present a powerful tool to explore the structure at the nuclear extremes. We recently used the shell model calculations with Renormalized Charge Depen- dent Bonn (RCDB) effective interaction to calculate the properties of the $6^+$ seniority isomers in $^{134-138}$Sn in an attempt to resolve the anomalous B(E2) behavior of the $6^+$ isomer in $^{136}$Sn [Phys. Rev. C 91, 024321 (2015)]. We further explore these isomers by using the generalized seniority scheme for multi-j orbitals recently presented by us [Phys. Lett. B 753, 122 (2016)]; the B(E2) values…
Recent observation of the 6$^+$ seniority isomers and measurements of the B${(E2)}$ values in the $^{134-138}$Sn isotopes lying close to the neutron drip line have raised some questions about the validity of the currently used effective interactions in the neutron-rich region. Simpson $\it{et}$ $\it{al.}$ [Phys. Rev. Lett. $\textbf{113}$, 132502 (2014)] had to modify the diagonal and non-diagonal $νf_{7/2}^2$ two body matrix elements of the "${Vlk}$" interaction by ${\sim150}$ keV in their shell model calculations in order to explain the data of $^{136}$Sn. In contrast, we are able to explain …
The similar behavior of the B(E1) values of the recently observed 13- odd tensor E1 isomers and the B(E2) values of the 10+ and 15- even tensor E2 isomers in the Sn-isotopes has been understood in terms of the generalized seniority for multi-j orbits by using the quasi-spin scheme. This simple approach proves to be quite successful in explaining the measured transition probabilities and the corresponding half-lives in the high-spin isomers of the semi-magic Sn-isotopes. Hence, we show for the first time the occurrence of seniority isomers in the 13- Sn-isomers, which decay by odd-tensor E1 tra…
We investigate the influence of deformation on the possible occurrence of long-lived $K$ isomers in Hf isotopes around N=116, using configuration-constrained calculations of potential-energy surfaces. Despite having reduced shape elongation, the multi-quasiparticle states in $^{186,188}$Hf remain moderately robust against triaxial distortion, supporting the long expected occurrence of exceptionally long-lived isomers. The calculations are compared with available experimental data.
The neutron-rich $^{122-131}$Sb isotopes were produced as fission fragments in the reaction $^{9}$Be($^{238}$U,~f) with 6.2 MeV/u beam energy. An unique setup, consisting of AGATA, VAMOS++ and EXOGAM detectors, was used which enabled the prompt-delayed gamma-ray ($γ$) spectroscopy of fission fragments in the time range of 100 ns - 200 $μ$s. New isomers, prompt and delayed transitions were established in the even-A $^{122-130}$Sb isotopes. In the odd-A $^{123-131}$Sb isotopes, new prompt and delayed $γ$-ray transitions were identified, in addition to the confirmation of the previously known iso…
In high neutron flux environments where isomers can be strongly populated by nucleonic reactions, isotope abundances from reaction network chains can be affected by the population of nuclear isomers. At high temperatures and densities there is the additional possibility of populating these isomers electromagnetically. Here we examine the rates for electromagnetic excitation of the isotopes of several isomers of interest both in astrophysics and applied physics (e.g. 235U, 193Ir, and 87Y,88Y). We consider six possible electromagnetic processes, namely, photo-absorption, inverse internal convers…
The electromagnetic decay of $^{250m}$No and the stability of neutron deficient Rf isotopes
IJCLab, CNRS/IN2P3 and Université Paris Saclay（法国萨克雷大学）；IPHC, CNRS/IN2P3 and Université de Strasbourg（斯特拉斯堡大学）；FLNR, JINR（杜布纳联合核研究所）；Dubna State Univerity（杜布纳国立大学）
Electromagnetic properties of the deformed neutron-odd nucleus $^{229}$Th are investigated in the framework of the unified model, with primary emphasis upon the properties of the low-lying isomeric state.
Collinear laser spectroscopy has been performed on the $^{79}_{30}$Zn$_{49}$ isotope at ISOLDE-CERN. The existence of a long-lived isomer with a few hundred milliseconds half-life was confirmed, and the nuclear spins and moments of the ground and isomeric states in $^{79}$Zn as well as the isomer shift were measured. From the observed hyperfine structures, spins $I = 9/2$ and $I = 1/2$ are firmly assigned to the ground and isomeric states. The magnetic moment $μ$ ($^{79}$Zn) = $-$1.1866(10) $μ_{\rm{N}}$, confirms the spin-parity $9/2^{+}$ with a $νg_{9/2}^{-1}$ shell-model configuration, in ex…
Nuclear isomer is a current research focus. To describe isomers, we present a method based on the Projected Shell Model. Two kinds of isomers, K-isomers and shape isomers, are discussed. For the K-isomer treatment, K-mixing is properly implemented in the model. It is found however that in order to describe the strong K-violation more efficiently, it may be necessary to further introduce triaxiality into the shell model basis. To treat shape isomers, a scheme is outlined which allows mixing those configurations belonging to different shapes.
We present a comparative study of the high-spin ${11/2}^-$, ${10}^+$ and ${27/2}^-$ nuclear isomers, observed commonly in the full semi-magic $Z=50$ isotopic and $N=82$ isotonic chains, which are found to display nearly identical systematics in excitation energy and half-lives. A constant and particle number independent energy gap of $\sim$ 4 MeV between the $0^+$ ground states and ${10}^+$ isomers and, the ${11/2}^-$ and ${27/2}^-$ isomers exists before the mid-shell, which declines near the mid-shell, and then becomes constant at $\sim$ 3 MeV after the mid-shell. Large scale shell model calc…
We study the nuclear properties of even-even superheavy $Z$=120 isotopes and $N$=184 isotones with the Skyrme Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB)approach. Within this model we examine the deformation energy surfaces and two paths to fission: a reflection-symmetric path with elongated fission fragments (sEF) and a reflection-asymmetric path corresponding to elongated fission fragments (aEF). Furthermore, we explore the energy surfaces in the region of very large oblate deformations with toroidal nuclear density distributions. While the energy surfaces of toroidal $Z$=120 isotopes and $N$=184 isotones…
We have performed tilted-axis-cranked Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations for a neutron-rich hafnium isotope ($^{182}$Hf) whose proton and neutron numbers are both in the upper shell region. We study whether the shell effects play a role in producing high-$K$ isomers or highly gamma-deformed states at high spin. In particular, the possibility of shape coexistence and the effect of wobbling motion are discussed.
Using, for the first time, configuration-constrained potential-energy-surface calculations with the inclusion of $β_6$ deformation, we find remarkable effects of the high order deformation on the high-$K$ isomers in $^{254}$No, the focus of recent spectroscopy experiments on superheavy nuclei. For shapes with multipolarity six, the isomers are more tightly bound and, microscopically, have enhanced deformed shell gaps at $N=152$ and $Z=100$. The inclusion of $β_6$ deformation significantly improves the description of the very heavy high-$K$ isomers.
The rapid shape change in Zr isotopes near neutron number $N$=60 is identified to be caused by type II shell evolution associated with massive proton excitations to its $0g_{9/2}$ orbit, and is shown to be a quantum phase transition. Monte Carlo shell-model calculations are carried out for Zr isotopes of $N$=50-70 with many configurations spanned by eight proton orbits and eight neutron orbits. Energy levels and B(E2) values are obtained within a single framework in a good agreement with experiments, depicting various shapes in going from $N$=50 to 70. Novel coexistence of prolate and triaxial…
Configuration-constrained potential-energy-surface calculations have been performed to investigate the $K$ isomerism in the proton-rich $A\sim80$ mass region. An abundance of high-$K$ states are predicted. These high-$K$ states arise from two and four-quasi-particle excitations, with $K^π=8^{+}$ and $K^π=16^{+}$, respectively. Their excitation energies are comparatively low, making them good candidates for long-lived isomers. Since most nuclei under studies are prolate spheroids in their ground states, the oblate shapes of the predicted high-$K$ states may indicate a combination of $K$ isomeri…
Strong residual correlations between neutrons and protons in N ~ Z systems can lead to unusual structure. Using the spherical shell model, we show that a low-excitation shape isomer can occur in the odd-odd N=Z nucleus 66As. This extends the picture of shape coexistence beyond even-even nuclei. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that in 66As and in the N=Z+1 nucleus 67As, a new type of isomer, which we term j-isomer, can be formed. The underlying mechanism for the isomerism formation is structure change in the isomeric states, which involves either an alignment of a neutron-proton pair from the h…
The evolution of the total energy surface and the nuclear shape in the isotopic chain $^{172-194}$Pt are studied in the framework of the interacting boson model, including configuration mixing. The results are compared with a self-consistent Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculation using the Gogny-D1S interaction and a good agreement between both approaches shows up. The evolution of the deformation parameters points towards the presence of two different coexisting configurations in the region 176 $\leq$ A $\leq$ 186.
We explore two-particle transfer reactions as a unique probe of the occurence of shape coexistence in shape phase transitions. The (t,p) reactions to the ground state and to excited $0^+$ states are calculated for the isotope chain of even-even Zirconium isotopes starting from stable nuclei up to beyond current experimental limits. Two-particle spectroscopic factors derived from Monte Carlo Shell Model calculations are used, together with the sequential description of the two-particle transfer reaction mechanism. The calculation shows a clear signature for a shape phase transition between $^{9…
The shapes of neutron-rich exotic Ni isotopes are studied. Large-scale shell model calculations are performed by advanced Monte Carlo Shell Model (MCSM) for the $pf$-$g_{9/2}$-$d_{5/2}$ model space. Experimental energy levels are reproduced well by a single fixed Hamiltonian. Intrinsic shapes are analyzed for MCSM eigenstates. Intriguing interplays among spherical, oblate, prolate and gamma-unstable shapes are seen including shape fluctuations, $E$(5)-like situation, the magicity of doubly-magic $^{56,68,78}$Ni, and the coexistence of spherical and strongly deformed shapes. Regarding the last …
For axially symmetric even-even nuclei, we solve the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) equations on a 2-D grid in cylindrical coordinates. The Skyrme SLy4 interaction is used for the mean field and a zero-range interaction for the pairing field. After decoupling the HFB lattice equations, we obtain quasiparticle states with equivalent single-particle energies up to 100 MeV or more. We present results for the Krypton isotope chain up to the two-neutron dripline, including two-neutron separation energies, pairing gaps, and quadrupole deformations for the ground states and isomeric minima.
Shape-phase transition in neutron-rich Cr isotopes around N=40 is investigated by employing the collective Hamiltonian approach. The inertial functions for large-amplitude vibration and rotation are evaluated by the local normal modes along the axial quadrupole collective coordinate using the Skyrme and pairing energy density functionals. The time-odd components of the mean fields are fully included in the derived masses. The low-lying spectra obtained by requantizing the collective Hamiltonian show an excellent agreement with the recent experimental data. Gradual change from spherical to axia…
We study low energy shape oscillations of negative parity in the first and second (isomeric) minima in actinides. As a main tool we use the phenomenological Woods-Saxon potential with a variety of shape deformations. This allows to include a mixing of various multipolarities when considering oscillations with a fixed $K$ quantum number. The phonon energies are determined either from the collective Hamiltonian with the microscopic-macrocopic energy and cranking mass parameters, or from its simplified version with the constant mass parameters. The results for $K^π=0^-$,$1^-$ in the first minima …
Spectroscopic properties that characterize shape phase transitions in neutron-rich odd-A Zr isotopes are investigated using the framework of nuclear density functional theory and particle-core coupling. The interacting-boson Hamiltonian of the even-even core nuclei, and the single-particle energies and occupation probabilities of the unpaired neutron are completely determined by deformation constrained self-consistent mean-field calculations based on the relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov model with a choice of a universal energy density functional and pairing interaction. The triaxial $(β,γ)$ de…
We study the properties of $^{74}$Kr, and particularly the Gamow Teller strength distribution, using a deformed selfconsistent HF+RPA method with Skyrme type interactions. Results are presented for two density-dependent effective two-body interactions, including the dependence on deformation of the HF energy that exhibits two minima at close energies and distant deformations, one prolate and one oblate. We study the role of deformation, residual interaction, pairing and RPA correlations on the Gamow Teller strength distribution. Results on moments of inertia and gyromagnetic factors, as well a…
The projected shell model is used to study the multi-quasiparticle and collective excitations of 178Hf. With an axially symmetric basis, the spin-16 isomer at 2.4 MeV appears to be well separated in energy/spin space from other configurations. However, projected energy surface calculations suggest that 178Hf has significant softness to axially asymmetric shapes, which can strongly modify the level distribution. The implications for photodeexitation of the isomer are discussed.
We present systematic calculations of the properties of 11- isomers in neutron-deficient 184-198Pb and 188-200Po. These states are based on the proton (h9/2 i13/2)_{K = 11-} configuration. They are calculated in the framework of the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov method with a Skyrme interaction and density-dependent pairing force. The energies and deformations of the 11- states are compared to those of the intruder 0+ states in both Pb and Po isotopes. In the most neutron-deficient Po isotopes, the calculations predict, below a weakly oblate 11- state, another oblate 11- state which is even more def…
We systematically investigate the existence of exotic torus isomers and their precession motions for a series of $N=Z$ even-even nuclei from $^{28}$Si to $^{56}$Ni. We analyze the microscopic shell structure of the torus isomer and discuss why the torus shape is generated beyond the limit of large oblate deformation. We use the cranked three-dimensional Hartree-Fock (HF) method with various Skyrme interactions in a systematic search for high-spin torus isomers. We use the three-dimensional time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) method for describing the precession motion of the torus isomer. We ob…
Isomeric states in the nuclei along the rapid proton capture process path are studied by the projected shell model. Emphasis is given to two waiting point nuclei Se-68 and Kr-72 that are characterized by shape coexistence. Energy surface calculations indicate that the ground state of these nuclei corresponds to an oblate-deformed minimum, while the lowest state at the prolate-deformed minimum can be considered as a shape isomer. Due to occupation of the orbitals with large K-components, states built upon two-quasiparticle excitations at the oblate-deformed minimum may form high $K$-isomers. Th…
The properties of recently predicted thermally fissile Th and U isotopes are studied within the framework of relativistic mean field (RMF) approach using axially deformed basis. We calculated the ground, first intrinsic excited state and matter density for highly neutron-rich thorium and uranium isotopes. The possible modes of decay like $α$-decay and $β$-decay are analyzed. We found that the neutron-rich isotopes are stable against $α$-decay, however they are very much unstable against $β$-decay. The life time of these nuclei predicted to be tens of second against $β$-decay. If these nuclei u…
Mean field calculations, based on the D1S, D1N and D1M parametrizations of the Gogny energy density functional, have been carried out to obtain the potential energy surfaces relevant to fission in several Ra isotopes with the neutron number 144 $\le$ N $\le$ 176. Inner and outer barrier heights as well as first and second isomer excitation energies are given. The existence of a well developed third minimum along the fission paths of Ra nuclei, is analyzed in terms of the energetics of the "fragments" defining such elongated configuration. The masses and charges of the fission fragments are stu…
We intend to provide a consistent description of the even-even Hg isotopes, 172-200Hg, using the interacting boson model including configuration mixing. We pay special attention to the description of the shape of the nuclei and to its connection with the shape coexistence phenomenon.
Nuclei under non-collective rotation with a large angular momentum above some threshold can assume a toroidal shape. In our previous work, we showed by using cranked Skyrme-Hartree-Fock approach that even-even, N=Z, high-K, toroidal isomeric states may have general occurrences for light nuclei with 28<=A<=52. We present here some additional results and systematics on the particle-hole nature of these high-spin toroidal isomers.
The phenomena of shape evolution and shape coexistence in even-even $^{88-126}$Zr and $^{88-126}$Mo isotopes is studied by employing covariant density functional theory (CDFT) with density-dependent point coupling parameter sets DD-PCX and DD-PC1, and with separable pairing interaction. The results for rms deviation in binding energies, two-neutron separation energy, the differential variation of two-neutron separation energy, and rms charge radii, as a function of neutron number, are presented and compared with available experimental data. In addition to the oblate-prolate shape coexistence i…
The systematic investigation of ground state shape evolution from gamma unstable O(6) to spherical U(5) for Te isotopes has been presented by using the quadrupole moment constrained Hartree Fock Bogoliubov (HFB) method with the Skyrme force SLy4. 124Te has been pointed out as to be the possible critical point nucleus with E(5) symmetry.
The goal of this contribution is to analyze the connection between shape coexistence and quantum phase transition, two seemingly unrelated phenomena that share common aspects, namely, the rapid change in the ground state structure along an isotope chain or the presence of several minima at the mean-field level. To illustrate the similarities and differences between both phenomena, we will focus in the Pb region, in particular in Pt and Hg isotopes, as well as in Zr isotopes.
