arXiv subjects

Dennis Bonatsos

Publications and source records attributed to Dennis Bonatsos.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2008

Complementary descriptions of shape/phase transitions in atomic nuclei

Shape/phase transitions in atomic nuclei have first been discovered in the framework of the Interacting Boson Approximation (IBA) model. Critical point symmetries appropriate for nuclei at the transition points have been introduced as special solutions of the Bohr Hamiltonian, stirring the introduction of additional new solutions describing wide ranges of nuclei. The complementarity of the IBA and geometrical approaches will be demonstrated by three examples. First, it will be shown that specific special solutions of the Bohr Hamiltonian correspond to the borders of the critical region of the IBA. Second, it will be demonstrated that the distinct patterns exhibited in different transitional regions by the experimental energy staggering in gamma-bands can be reproduced both by the IBA and by special solutions of the Bohr Hamiltonian. Third, a first attempt to obtain a IBA SU(3) level scheme from a special solution of the Bohr Hamiltonian will be presented.

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arXiv2008

0+ states in the large boson number limit of the Interacting Boson Approximation model

Studies of the Interacting Boson Approximation (IBA) model for large boson numbers have been triggered by the discovery of shape/phase transitions between different limiting symmetries of the model. These transitions become sharper in the large boson number limit, revealing previously unnoticed regularities, which also survive to a large extent for finite boson numbers, corresponding to valence nucleon pairs in collective nuclei. It is shown that energies of 0_n^+ states grow linearly with their ordinal number n in all three limiting symmetries of IBA [U(5), SU(3), and O(6)]. Furthermore, it is proved that the narrow transition region separating the symmetry triangle of the IBA into a spherical and a deformed region is described quite well by the degeneracies E(0_2^+)=E(6_1^+), E(0_3^+)=E(10_1^+), E(0_4^+)=E(14_1^+), while the energy ratio E(6_1^+) /E(0_2^+) turns out to be a simple, empirical, easy-to-measure effective order parameter, distinguishing between first- and second-order transitions. The energies of 0_n^+ states near the point of the first order shape/phase transition between U(5) and SU(3) are shown to grow as n(n+3), in agreement with the rule dictated by the relevant critical point symmetries resulting in the framework of special solutions of the Bohr Hamiltonian. The underlying partial dynamical symmetries and quasi-dynamical symmetries are also discussed.

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arXiv2008

Exactly separable version of the Bohr Hamiltonian with the Davidson potential

An exactly separable version of the Bohr Hamiltonian is developed using a potential of the form u(beta)+u(gamma)/beta^2, with the Davidson potential u(beta)= beta^2 + beta_0^4/beta^2 (where beta_0 is the position of the minimum) and a stiff harmonic oscillator for u(gamma) centered at gamma=0. In the resulting solution, called exactly separable Davidson (ES-D), the ground state band, gamma band and 0_2^+ band are all treated on an equal footing. The bandheads, energy spacings within bands, and a number of interband and intraband B(E2) transition rates are well reproduced for almost all well-deformed rare earth and actinide nuclei using two parameters (beta_0, gamma stiffness). Insights regarding the recently found correlation between gamma stiffness and the gamma-bandhead energy, as well as the long standing problem of producing a level scheme with Interacting Boson Approximation SU(3) degeneracies from the Bohr Hamiltonian, are also obtained.

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arXiv2008

Simple, empirical order parameter for a first order quantum phase transition in atomic nuclei

A simple, empirical signature of a first order phase transition in atomic nuclei is presented, the ratio of the energy of the 6+ level of the ground state band to the energy of the first excited 0+ state. This ratio provides an effective order parameter which is not only easy to measure, but also distinguishes between first and second order phase transitions and takes on a special value in the critical region. Data in the Nd-Dy region show these characteristics. In addition, a repeating degeneracy between alternate yrast states and successive excited 0+ states is found to correspond closely to the line of a first order phase transition in the framework of the Interacting Boson Approximation (IBA) model in the large N limit, pointing to a possible underlying symmetry in the critical region.

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arXiv2008

Unified description of 0+ states in a large class of nuclear collective models

A remarkably simple regularity in the energies of 0+ states in a broad class of collective models is discussed. A single formula for all 0+ states in flat-bottomed infinite potentials that depends only on the number of dimensions and a simpler expression applicable to all three IBA symmetries in the large boson number limit are presented. Finally, a connection between the energy expression for 0+ states given by the X(5) model and the predictions of the IBA near the critical point is explored.

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arXiv2007

Special Solutions of the Bohr Hamiltonian Related to Shape Phase Transitions in Nuclei

Nuclei exhibit quantum phase transitions (earlier called ground state phase transitions) between different shapes as the number of nucleons is modified, resulting in changes in the ground and low lying nuclear states. Special solutions of the Bohr Hamiltonian appropriate for the critical point of such shape phase transitions, as well as other special solutions applicable to relevant nuclear regions are described.

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arXiv2006

Connecting the X(5)-$β^2$, X(5)-$β^4$, and X(3) models to the shape/phase transition region of the interacting boson model

The parameter independent (up to overall scale factors) predictions of the X(5)-$β^2$, X(5)-$β^4$, and X(3) models, which are variants of the X(5) critical point symmetry developed within the framework of the geometric collective model, are compared to two-parameter calculations in the framework of the interacting boson approximation (IBA) model. The results show that these geometric models coincide with IBA parameters consistent with the phase/shape transition region of the IBA for boson numbers of physical interest (close to 10). Nuclei within the rare-earth region and select Os and Pt isotopes are identified as good examples of X(3), X(5)-$β^2$, and X(5)-$β^4$ behavior.

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arXiv2005

Parameter-Free Solution of the Bohr Hamiltonian for Actinides Critical in the Octupole Mode

An analytic, parameter-free (up to overall scale factors) solution of the Bohr Hamiltonian involving axially symmetric quadrupole and octupole deformations, as well as an infinite well potential, is obtained, after separating variables in a way reminiscent of the Variable Moment of Inertia (VMI) concept. Normalized spectra and B(EL) ratios are found to agree with experimental data for 226-Ra and 226-Th, the nuclei known to lie closest to the border between octupole deformation and octupole vibrations in the light actinide region.

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arXiv2005

Critical Point Symmetries in Nuclei

Critical Point Symmetries (CPS) appear in regions of the nuclear chart where a rapid change from one symmetry to another is observed. The first CPSs, introduced by F. Iachello, were E(5), which corresponds to the transition from vibrational [U(5)] to gamma-unstable [O(6)] behaviour, and X(5), which represents the change from vibrational [U(5)] to prolate axially deformed [SU(3)] shapes. These CPSs have been obtained as special solutions of the Bohr collective Hamiltonian. More recent special solutions of the same Hamiltonian, to be described here, include Z(5) and Z(4), which correspond to maximally triaxial shapes (the latter with ``frozen'' gamma=30 degrees), as well as X(3), which corresponds to prolate shapes with ``frozen'' gamma=0. CPSs have the advantage of providing predictions which are parameter free (up to overall scale factors) and compare well to experiment. However, their mathematical structure [with the exception of E(5)] needs to be clarified.

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arXiv2005

X(3): An Exactly Separable Gamma-Rigid Version of the X(5) Critical Point Symmetry

A gamma-rigid version (with gamma=0) of the X(5) critical point symmetry is constructed. The model, to be called X(3) since it is proved to contain three degrees of freedom, utilizes an infinite well potential, is based on exact separation of variables, and leads to parameter free (up to overall scale factors) predictions for spectra and B(E2) transition rates, which are in good agreement with existing experimental data for 172-Os and 186-Pt. An unexpected similarity of the first beta bands of the X(5) nuclei 150-Nd, 152-Sm, 154-Gd, and 156-Dy to the X(3) predictions is observed.

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arXiv2005

Gamma-rigid solution of the Bohr Hamiltonian for gamma = 30 degrees compared to the E(5) critical point symmetry

A gamma-rigid solution of the Bohr Hamiltonian for gamma = 30 degrees is derived, its ground state band being related to the second order Casimir operator of the Euclidean algebra E(4). Parameter-free (up to overall scale factors) predictions for spectra and B(E2) transition rates are in close agreement to the E(5) critical point symmetry, as well as to experimental data in the Xe region around A=130.

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arXiv2005

Analytic Description of Critical Point Actinides in a Transition from Octupole Deformation to Octupole Vibrations

An analytic collective model in which the relative presence of the quadrupole and octupole deformations is determined by a parameter (phi_0), while axial symmetry is obeyed, is developed. The model [to be called the analytic quadrupole octupole axially symmetric model (AQOA)] involves an infinite well potential, provides predictions for energy and B(EL) ratios which depend only on phi_0, draws the border between the regions of octupole deformation and octupole vibrations in an essentially parameter-independent way, and describes well 226-Th and 226-Ra, for which experimental energy data are shown to suggest that they lie close to this border. The similarity of the AQOA results with phi_0=45 degrees for ground state band spectra and B(E2) transition rates to the predictions of the X(5) model is pointed out. Analytic solutions are also obtained for Davidson potentials, leading to the AQOA spectrum through a variational procedure.

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arXiv2004

W(5): Wobbling Mode in the Framework of the X(5) Model

Using in the Bohr Hamiltonian the approximations leading to the Bohr and Mottelson description of wobbling motion in even nuclei, a W(5) model for wobbling bands, coexisting with a X(5) ground state band, is obtained. Separation of variables is achieved by assuming that the relevant potential has a sharp minimum at gamma_0, which is the only parameter entering in the spectra and B(E2) transition rates (up to overall scale factors). B(E2) transition rates exhibit the features expected in the wobbling case, while the spectrum for gamma_0=20 degrees is in good agreement with experimental data for Dy-156.

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arXiv2004

Z(5): Critical point symmetry for the prolate to oblate nuclear shape phase transition

A critical point symmetry for the prolate to oblate shape phase transition is introduced, starting from the Bohr Hamiltonian and approximately separating variables for $γ=30^{\rm o}$. Parameter-free (up to overall scale factors) predictions for spectra and B(E2) transition rates are found to be in good agreement with experimental data for 194-Pt, which is supposed to be located very close to the prolate to oblate critical point, as well as for its neighbours (192-Pt, 196-Pt).

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arXiv2004

E(5) and X(5) critical point symmetries obtained from Davidson potentials through a variational procedure

Davidson potentials of the form $β^2 +β_0^4/β^2$, when used in the E(5) framework, bridge the U(5) and O(6) symmetries, while they bridge the U(5) and SU(3) symmetries when used in the X(5) framework. Using a variational procedure, we determine for each value of angular momentum $L$ thevalue of $β_0$ at which the rate of change of various physical quantities (energy ratios, intraband B(E2) ratios, quadrupole moment ratios) has a maximum, the collection of the values of the physical quantity formed in this way being a candidate for describing its behavior at the relevant critical point. Energy ratios lead to the E(5) and X(5) results (whice correspond to an infinite well potential in $β$), while intraband B(E2) ratios and quadrupole moments lead to the E(5)-$β^4$ and X(5)-$β^4$ results, which correspond to the use of a $β^4$ potential in the relevant framework. A new derivation of the Holmberg-Lipas formula for nuclear energy spectra is obtained as a by-product.

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arXiv2003

Ground State Bands of the E(5) and X(5) Critical Symmetries Obtained from Davidson Potentials through a Variational Procedure

Davidson potentials of the form $β^2 +β_0^4/β^2$, when used in the original Bohr Hamiltonian for $γ$-independent potentials bridge the U(5) and O(6) symmetries. Using a variational procedure, we determine for each value of angular momentum $L$ the value of $β_0$ at which the derivative of the energy ratio $R_L=E(L)/E(2)$ with respect to $β_0$ has a sharp maximum, the collection of $R_L$ values at these points forming a band which practically coincides with the ground state band of the E(5) model, corresponding to the critical point in the shape phase transition from U(5) to O(6). The same potentials, when used in the Bohr Hamiltonian after separating variables as in the X(5) model, bridge the U(5) and SU(3) symmetries, the same variational procedure leading to a band which practically coincides with the ground state band of the X(5) model, corresponding to the critical point of the U(5) to SU(3) shape phase transition. A new derivation of the Holmberg-Lipas formula for nuclear energy spectra is obtained as a by-product.

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arXiv2003

Sequence of Potentials Interpolating between the U(5) and E(5) Symmetries

It is proved that the potentials of the form $β^{2n}$ (with $n$ being integer) provide a ``bridge'' between the U(5) symmetry of the Bohr Hamiltonian with a harmonic oscillator potential (occuring for $n=1$) and the E(5) model of Iachello (Bohr Hamiltonian with an infinite well potential, materialized for infinite $n$). Parameter-free (up to overall scale factors) predictions for spectra and B(E2) transition rates are given for the potentials $β^4$, $β^6$, $β^8$, corresponding to $R_4=E(4)/E(2)$ ratios of 2.093, 2.135, 2.157 respectively, compared to the $R_4$ ratios 2.000 of U(5) and 2.199 of E(5). Hints about nuclei showing this behaviour, as well as about potentials ``bridging'' the E(5) symmetry with O(6) are briefly discussed. A note about the appearance of Bessel functions in the framework of E(n) symmetries is given as a by-product.

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arXiv2003

Molecular Spectra from Rotationally Invariant Hamiltonians Based on the Quantum Algebra SUq(2) and Irreducible Tensor Operators under SUq(2)

The rotational invariance under the usual physical angular momentum of the SUq(2) Hamiltonian for the description of rotational molecular spectra is explicitly proved and a connection of this Hamiltonian to the formalism of Amal'sky is provided. In addition, a new Hamiltonian for rotational spectra is introduced, based on the construction of irreducible tensor operators (ITOs) under SUq(2) and use of q-deformed tensor products and q-deformed Clebsch-Gordan coefficients. The rotational invariance of this SUq(2) ITO Hamiltonian under the usual physical angular momentum is explicitly proved and a simple closed expression for its energy spectrum (the ``hyperbolic tangent formula'') is introduced. Numerical tests against an experimental rotational band of HF are provided.

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