arXiv · 2512.07594
Gamow shell model predictions for six-proton unbound nucleus $^{20}$Si
Abstract
Proton-rich nuclei beyond the proton drip line are of great interest in nuclear structure physics, due to exotic phenomena such as proton emissions and the Thomas-Ehrman shift (TES). In this work, we employ the Gamow shell model (GSM) to investigate the structure and decay of $^{20}$Si, a candidate for six-proton (6$p$) emission, which can be produced via two-neutron knockout from the drip line nucleus $^{22}$Si. We predict that its ground state decays via $6p$ emission to the ground state of $^{14}$O, with a decay energy $E_{6p} = 10.125$ MeV and a width of 371~keV. A $2^+$ state is predicted at 1.7 MeV, comparable with that in $^{18}$Mg, indicating the disappearance of the $Z=14$ magic number in $^{20}$Si. Instead, analyses of the many-body configurations and the average occupancies of the mirror states suggest the presence of $dynamic$ TES in low-lying states of $^{19}$Al/$^{19}$C and $^{20}$Si/$^{20}$C. Further evidence is provided by analyzing the contributions of different components of the GSM Hamiltonian. Moreover, this study offers the first theoretical description of $^{20}$Si and guidance for future experiments.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
J. L. Wang, M. R. Xie, K. H. Li, P. Y. Wang, N. Michel, Q. Yuan, J. G. Li. 2025-12-08. Gamow shell model predictions for six-proton unbound nucleus $^{20}$Si. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physletb.2025.140030
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.