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A. I. Vdovin

Publications and source records attributed to A. I. Vdovin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Reentrance of proton-neutron pairing in hot nuclear systems

We develop a generalized finite-temperature proton-neutron BCS framework using the superoperator formalism, incorporating both isovector and isoscalar monopole pairing channels. Numerical calculations for a schematic equidistant multilevel model and realistic even-even Ge isotopes demonstrate the emergence of proton-neutron ($pn$) pairing reentrance in even-even asymmetric ($N>Z$) nuclei with preexisting like-nucleon pairing correlations. This nonmonotonic behavior arises from thermal excitations that partially lift Pauli blocking of single-particle orbitals near the chemical potentials, thereby enlarging the phase space for $pn$ pair formation. We uncover a delicate interplay between thermal unblocking and like-nucleon pairing, which can either suppress or enhance $pn$ correlations depending on temperature and shell filling. A qualitative analysis of Fermi charge-exchange strength functions in hot $^{72}$Ge, which neglects the residual interaction between thermal quasiparticles, suggests that $pn$ pairing reentrance may alter the transition strength distribution around $T\approx1$~MeV. This indicates that finite-temperature $pn$ correlations could potentially impact stellar weak-interaction rates in $rp$-process and supernova environments.

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Neutrinos from pre-supernova in the framework of TQRPA method

We propose a new method for calculating spectra and luminosities for (anti)neutrinos produced in the pre-supernova environment by weak processes with hot nuclei. It is based on the thermal quasiparticle random phase approximation (TQRPA), that allows microscopic thermodynamically consistent calculations of the weak-interaction response of nuclei at finite temperatures. For realistic representative pre-supernova conditions from the stellar evolution code MESA, we compute (anti)neutrino luminosities and spectra arising from neutral- and charged-current weak reactions with hot $^{56}$Fe and compare them with the contribution of thermal processes. We find that the TQRPA approach produces not only a higher total luminosity of electron neutrinos (mainly born in the electron capture reaction), compared to the standard technique based on the large-scale shell model (LSSM) weak-interaction rates, but also a harder neutrino spectrum. Besides, applying the TQRPA and LSSM, we find that in the context of electron antineutrino generation, the neutral-current nuclear de-excitation (ND) process via neutrino-antineutrino pair emission is at least as important as the electron-positron pair annihilation process. We also show that flavor oscillations enhance the high-energy contribution of the ND process to the electron antineutrino flux. This could potentially be important for pre-supernova antineutrino registration by the Earth's detectors.

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Neutrino spectrum and energy loss rates due to weak processes on hot $^{56}$Fe in pre-supernova environment

Applying TQRPA calculations of Gamow--Teller strength functions in hot nuclei, we compute the (anti)neutrino spectra and energy loss rates arising from weak processes on hot $^{56}$Fe under pre-supernova conditions. We use a realistic pre-supernova model calculated by the stellar evolution code MESA. Taking into account both charged and neutral current processes, we demonstrate that weak reactions with hot nuclei can produce high-energy (anti)neutrinos. We also show that, for hot nuclei, the energy loss via (anti)neutrino emission is significantly larger than that for nuclei in their ground state. It is found that the neutral current de-excitation via the $ν\barν$-pair emission is presumably a dominant source of antineutrinos. In accordance with other studies, we confirm that the so-called single-state approximation for neutrino spectra might fail under certain pre-supernova conditions. }

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Unblocking of stellar electron capture for neutron-rich $N=50$ nuclei at finite temperature

We have calculated electron capture rates for neutron-rich $N=50$ nuclei ($^{78}$Ni, $^{82}$Ge, $^{86}$Kr, $^{88}$Sr) within the Thermal QRPA approach at temperatures $T=0$, corresponding to capture on the ground-state, and at $T=10$ GK (0.86 MeV), which is a typical temperature at which the $N=50$ nuclei are abundant during a supernova collapse. In agreement with recent experiments, we find no Gamow-Teller (GT$_+$) strength at low excitation energies, $E<7$ MeV, caused by Pauli blocking induced by the $N=50$ shell gap. At the astrophysically relevant temperatures this Pauli blocking of the GT$_+$ strength is overcome by thermal excitations across the $Z=40$ proton and $N=50$ neutron shell gaps, leading to a sizable GT contribution to the electron capture. At the high densities, at which the $N=50$ nuclei are important for stellar electron capture, forbidden transitions contribute noticeably to the capture rate. Our results indicate that the neutron-rich $N=50$ nuclei do not serve as an obstacle of electron capture during the supernova collapse.

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Thermal quasiparticle random-phase approximation calculations of stellar electron capture rates with the Skyrme effective interaction

A microscopic thermodynamically consistent approach is applied to compute electron capture (EC) rates and cross sections on nuclei in hot stellar environments. The cross section calculations are based on the Donnelly-Walecka multipole expansion method for treatment of semi-leptonic processes in nuclei. To take into account thermal effects, we express the electron capture cross section in terms of temperature- and momentum-dependent spectral functions for respective multipole charge-changing operators. The spectral functions are computed by employing the self-consistent thermal quasiparticle RPA (TQRPA) with the Skyrme effective interaction. Three different Skyrme parametrizations (SkM$^*$, SGII and SLy4) are used to investigate thermal effects on EC for $^{56}$Fe and $^{78}$Ni. For $^{56}$Fe, the impact of thermally unblocked GT$_+$ transitions on EC is discussed and the results are compared with those from shell-model calculations. In particular, it is shown that for some temperature and density regimes the TQRPA rates exceed the shell-model rates due to violation of the Brink-Axel hypothesis within the TQRPA. For neutron-rich $^{78}$Ni the full momentum-dependence of multipole transition operators is considered and it is found that not only thermally unblocked allowed $1^+$ transitions but also thermally unblocked first-forbidden $1^-$ and $2^-$ transitions favour EC.

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Neutrino Processes with Hot Nuclei in Supernovae

In this paper, we calculate cross sections for charged-current neutrino-nucleus processes occuring under presupernova conditions. To treat thermal effects we extend self-consistent Skyrme-QRPA calculations to finite temperature by using the formalism of thermo field dynamics. The numerical results are presented for the sample nuclei, $^{56}$Fe and $^{82}$Ge

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Thermal QRPA with Skyrme interactions and supernova neutral-current neutrino-nucleus reactions

The Thermal Quasiparticle Random-Phase Approximation is combined with the Skyrme energy density functional method (Skyrme-TQRPA) to study the response of a hot nucleus to an external perturbation. For the sample nuclei, $^{56}$Fe and $^{82}$Ge, the Skyrme-TQRPA is applied to analyze thermal effects on the strength function of charge-neutral Gamow-Teller transitions which dominate neutrino-nucleus reactions at $E_ν\lesssim 20$~MeV. For the relevant supernova temperatures we calculate the cross sections for inelastic neutrino scattering. We also apply the method to examine the rate of neutrino-antineutrino pair emission by hot nuclei. The cross sections and rates are compared with those obtained earlier from the TQRPA calculations based on the phenomenological Quasiparticle-Phonon Model Hamiltonian. For inelastic neutrino scattering on $^{56}$Fe we also compare the Skyrme-TQRPA results to those obtained earlier from a hybrid approach that combines shell-model and RPA calculations.

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The Skyrme-TQRPA calculations of electron capture on hot nuclei in pre-supernova environment

We combine the thermal QRPA approach with the Skyrme energy density functional theory (Skyrme-TQRPA) for modelling the process of electron capture on nuclei in supernova environment. For a sample nucleus, $^{56}$Fe, the Skyrme-TQRPA approach is applied to analyze thermal effects on the strength function of GT$_+$ transitions which dominate electron capture at $E_e\le 30$~MeV. Several Skyrme interactions are used in order to verify the sensitivity of the obtained results to the Skyrme force parameters. Finite-temperature cross sections are calculated and the results are compared with those of the other model calculations.

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Neutrino absorption by hot nuclei in supernova environments

Using the thermal quasiparticle random phase approximation, we study the process of neutrino and antineutrino capture on hot nuclei in supernova environments. For the sample nuclei $^{56}$Fe and $^{82}$Ge we perform a detailed analysis of thermal effects on the strength distribution of allowed Gamow-Teller transitions which dominate low-energy charged-current neutrino reactions. The finite temperature cross sections are calculated taking into account the contributions of both allowed and forbidden transitions. The enhancement of the low-energy cross sections is explained by considering thermal effects on the GT$_\pm$ strength. For $^{56}$Fe we compare the calculated finite-temperature cross sections with those obtained from large-scale shell-model calculations.

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Inelastic neutrino scattering off hot nuclei in supernova environments

We study inelastic neutrino scattering off hot nuclei for temperatures relevant under supernova conditions. The method we use is based on the quasiparticle random phase approximation extended to finite temperatures within the thermo field dynamics (TQRPA). The method allows a transparent treatment of upward and downward transitions in hot nuclei, avoiding the application of Brink's hypothesis. For the sample nuclei $^{56}$Fe and $^{82}$Ge we perform a detailed analysis of thermal effects on the strength distributions of allowed Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions which dominate the scattering process at low neutrino energies. For $^{56}$Fe and $^{82}$Ge the finite temperature cross-sections are calculated by taking into account the contribution of allowed and forbidden transitions. The observed enhancement of the cross-section at low neutrino energies is explained by considering thermal effects on the GT strength. For $^{56}$Fe we compare the calculated cross-sections to those obtained earlier from a hybrid approach that combines large-scale shell-model and RPA calculations.

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Neutrino pair emission from thermally excited nuclei in stellar collapse

We examine the rate of neutrino-antineutrino pair emission by hot nuclei in collapsing stellar cores. The rates are calculated assuming that only allowed charge-neutral Gamow-Teller (GT$_0$) transitions contribute to the decay of thermally excited nuclear states. To obtain the GT$_0$ transition matrix elements, we employ the quasiparticle random phase approximation extended to finite temperatures within the thermo field dynamics formalism. The decay rates and the energy emission rates are calculated for the sample nuclei ${}^{56}$Fe and $^{82}$Ge at temperatures relevant to core collapse supernovae.

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Thermal QRPA equations with finite rank separable approximation for residual forces based on the Skyrme type interactions

The approach to study properties of charge-exchange excitations in hot nuclei is presented. The approach is based on the extension of the finite rank separable approximation for Skyrme interactions to finite temperatures employing the TFD formalism. We present the formulae to obtain charge-exchange strength distributions within the Thermal Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation (TQRPA).

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Thermal effects on neutrino-nucleus inelastic scattering in stellar environments

Thermal effects for inelastic neutrino-nucleus scattering off even-even nuclei in the iron region are studied. Allowed and first-forbidden contributions to the cross sections are calculated within the quasiparticle random phase approximation, extended to finite temperatures within the Thermo-Field-Dynamics formalism. The GT$_0$ strength distribution at finite temperatures is calculated for the sample nucleus $^{54}$Fe. The neutral-current neutrino-nucleus inelastic cross section is calculated for relevant temperatures during the supernova core collapse. The thermal population of the excited states significantly enhances the cross section at low neutrino energies. In agreement with studies using a large scale shell-model approach the enhancement is mainly due to neutrino up-scattering at finite temperatures.

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Thermal Bogoliubov transformation in nuclear structure theory

Thermal Bogoliubov transformation is an essential ingredient of the thermo field dynamics -- the real time formalism in quantum field and many-body theories at finite temperatures developed by H. Umezawa and coworkers. The approach to study properties of hot nuclei which is based on the extension of the well-known Quasiparticle-Phonon Model to finite temperatures employing the TFD formalism is presented. A distinctive feature of the QPM-TFD combination is a possibility to go beyond the standard approximations like the thermal Hartree-Fock or the thermal RPA ones.

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Gamow-Teller strength distributions at finite temperatures and electron capture in stellar environments

We propose a new method to calculate stellar weak-interaction rates. It is based on the Thermo-Field-Dynamics formalism and allows the calculation of the weak-interaction response of nuclei at finite temperatures. The thermal evolution of the GT$_+$ distributions is presented for the sample nuclei $^{54, 56}$Fe and ~$^{76,78,80}$Ge. For Ge we also calculate the strength distribution of first-forbidden transitions. We show that thermal effects shift the GT$_+$ centroid to lower excitation energies and make possible negative- and low-energy transitions. In our model we demonstrate that the unblocking effect for GT$_+$ transitions in neutron-rich nuclei is sensitive to increasing temperature. The results are used to calculate electron capture rates and are compared to those obtained from the shell model.

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On the TFD treatment of collective vibrations in hot nuclei

The approach in a theory of collective excitations in hot nuclei exploring the formalism of thermo field dynamics and the model Hamiltonian consisting of a mean field, the BCS paring interaction and long-range particle-hole effective forces is reexamined. In contrast with earlier studies it is found that a wave function of a thermal phonon is depended not only on the Fermi-Dirac thermal occupation numbers of Bogoliubov quasiparticles consisting the phonon but on the Bose thermal occupation numbers of the phonon as well. This strongly affects a thermal phonon couplings due to renormalizing of a phonon-phonon interaction and enlarging the number of thermal two-phonon configurations coupled with one-phonon ones. Moreover, it is shown that the formulation of the double tilde conjugation rule for fermions proposed by I.Ojima is more appropriate in the context of the present study than the original one by H.Umezawa and coworkers.

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Calculations of canonical averages from the grand canonical ensemble

Grand canonical and canonical ensembles become equivalent in the thermodynamic limit, but when the system size is finite the results obtained in the two ensembles deviate from each other. In many important cases, the canonical ensemble provides an appropriate physical description but it is often much easier to perform the calculations in the corresponding grand canonical ensemble. We present a method to compute averages in canonical ensemble based on calculations of the expectation values in grand canonical ensemble. The number of particles, which is fixed in the canonical ensemble, is not necessarily the same as the average number of particles in the grand canonical ensemble.

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