arXiv subjects

H. Yamada

Publications and source records attributed to H. Yamada.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Probing the Size of Neutron and Proton Single-Particle Orbitals from Nucleon Knockout Reactions

The size of neutron and proton single-particle orbitals of $^{52}$Ca, $^{53}$Ca, $^{54}$Ca, and $^{55}$Sc were investigated via nucleon knockout reactions at $\sim$ 230 MeV/nucleon. The determination method is based on the measured fragment momentum distributions in $(p,pn)$ and $(p,2p)$ reactions, which are shown to be sensitive to the spatial extension of the wave function of the knocked-out nucleon, interpreted within the distorted wave impulse approximation (DWIA) framework. A systematic sensitivity study is carried out for the $(p,pn)$ recoil-momentum distribution method and is presented in this work. The experimental momentum distributions are compared to state-of-the-art mean field and $ab$ $initio$ in-medium similarity renormalization group and self-consistent Green's function calculations in combination with DWIA reaction theory calculations. Based on this work, the 1$p$ neutron orbitals are consistently found $0.48-0.78$ fm larger than the $0f_{7/2}$ neutron orbitals in $^{52-54}$Ca, while the size evolution of the valence proton orbitals remains inconclusive due to the large associated statistical uncertainties.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2026

The dipole strength distribution of $^8$He and decay characteristics

The weak binding and spatially extended neutron densities characteristic of drip-line nuclei give rise to a distinctive low-energy dipole response. The drip-line nucleus $^8$He is the most neutron-rich bound nucleus with a mass-to-charge ratio of $A/Z=4$. We measure the dipole response of $^8$He, including for the first time the four-neutron decay channel. A total dipole strength of $\sum B(E1)(E^*<15$~MeV$)=0.95(16)~e^2$fm$^2$ and a dipole polarizability of $\alpha_D = 0.61(1)$~fm$^3$ are extracted from the differential Coulomb-excitation cross section and compared to state-of-the-art theoretical calculations employing coupled cluster and three-body approaches. We find that the dipole continuum is dominated, even at high excitation energies well above the $4n$ decay threshold, by two-neutron emission, pointing to a $^6$He$+2n$ structure of the excited dipole mode. No indication was found for a $4n$ final-state correlation, while pronounced $nn$ and $^6$He-$n$ final-state correlations are apparent.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2024

Spectroscopy of $^{52}$K

The first spectroscopy of $^{52}$K was investigated via in-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy at the RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory after one-proton and one-neutron knockout from $^{53}$Ca and $^{53}$K beams impinging on a 15-cm liquid hydrogen target at $\approx$ 230~MeV/nucleon. The energy level scheme of $^{52}$K was built using single $\gamma$ and $\gamma$-$\gamma$ coincidence spectra. The spins and parities of the excited states were established based on momentum distributions of the fragment after the knockout reaction and based on exclusive cross sections. The results were compared to state-of-the-art shell model calculations with the SDPF-Umod interaction and ab initio IMSRG calculations with chiral effective field theory nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon forces.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2024

Spectroscopy of deeply bound orbitals in neutron-rich Ca isotopes

The calcium isotopes are an ideal system to investigate the evolution of shell structure and magic numbers. Although the properties of surface nucleons in calcium have been well studied, probing the structure of deeply bound nucleons remains a challenge. Here, we report on the first measurement of unbound states in $^{53}$Ca and $^{55}$Ca, populated from \ts{54,56}Ca($p,pn$) reactions at a beam energy of around 216 MeV/nucleon at the RIKEN Radioactive Isotopes Beam Factory. The resonance properties, partial cross sections, and momentum distributions of these unbound states were analyzed. Orbital angular momentum $l$ assignments were extracted from momentum distributions based on calculations using the distorted wave impulse approximation (DWIA) reaction model. The resonances at excitation energies of 5516(41)\,keV in $^{53}$Ca and 6000(250)\,keV in $^{55}$Ca indicate a significant $l$\, =\,3 component, providing the first experimental evidence for the $\nu 0f_{7/2}$ single-particle strength of unbound hole states in the neutron-rich Ca isotopes. The observed excitation energies and cross-sections point towards extremely localized and well separated strength distributions, with some fragmentation for the $\nu 0f_{7/2}$ orbital in $^{55}$Ca. These results are in good agreement with predictions from shell-model calculations using the effective GXPF1Bs interaction and \textit{ab initio} calculations and diverge markedly from the experimental distributions in the nickel isotones at $Z=28$.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2023

Validation of the $^{10}\mathrm{Be}$ Ground-State Molecular Structure Using $^{10}\mathrm{Be}(p,pα)^{6}\mathrm{He}$ Triple Differential Reaction Cross-Section Measurements

The cluster structure of the neutron-rich isotope $^{10}$Be has been probed via the $(p,pα)$ reaction at 150 MeV/nucleon in inverse kinematics and in quasifree conditions. The populated states of $^{6}$He residues were investigated through missing mass spectroscopy. The triple differential cross-section for the ground-state transition was extracted for quasifree angle pairs ($θ_{p}$, $θ_α$) and compared to distorted-wave impulse approximation reaction calculations performed in a microscopic framework using successively the Tohsaki-Horiuchi-Schuck-Röpke product wave-function and the wave-function deduced from Antisymmetrized Molecular Dynamics calculations. The remarkable agreement between calculated and measured cross-sections in both shape and magnitude validates the molecular structure description of the $^{10}$Be ground-state, configured as an $α$-$α$ core with two valence neutrons occupying $π$-type molecular orbitals.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2023

Level Structures of $^{56,58}$Ca Cast Doubt on a doubly magic $^{60}$Ca

Gamma decays were observed in $^{56}$Ca and $^{58}$Ca following quasi-free one-proton knockout reactions from $^{57,59}$Sc beams at $\approx 200$ MeV/nucleon. For $^{56}$Ca, a $γ$ ray transition was measured to be 1456(12) keV, while for $^{58}$Ca an indication for a transition was observed at 1115(34) keV. Both transitions were tentatively assigned as the $2^+_1 \rightarrow 0^+_{gs}$ decays, and were compared to results from ab initio and conventional shell-model approaches. A shell-model calculation in a wide model space with a marginally modified effective nucleon-nucleon interaction depicts excellent agreement with experiment for $2^+_1$ level energies, two-neutron separation energies, and reaction cross sections, corroborating the formation of a new nuclear shell above the $N$ = 34 shell. Its constituents, the $0f_{5/2}$ and $0g_{9/2}$ orbitals, are almost degenerate. This degeneracy precludes the possibility for a doubly magic $^{60}$Ca and potentially drives the dripline of Ca isotopes to $^{70}$Ca or even beyond.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2022

A First Glimpse at the Shell Structure beyond $^{54}$Ca: Spectroscopy of $^{55}$K, $^{55}$Ca, and $^{57}$Ca

States in the $N=35$ and 37 isotopes $^{55,57}$Ca have been populated by direct proton-induced nucleon removal reactions from $^{56,58}$Sc and $^{56}$Ca beams at the RIBF. In addition, the $(p,2p)$ quasi-free single-proton removal reaction from $^{56}$Ca was studied. Excited states in $^{55}$K, $^{55}$Ca, and $^{57}$Ca were established for the first time via in-beam $γ$-ray spectroscopy. Results for the proton and neutron removal reactions from $^{56}$Ca to states in $^{55}$K and $^{55}$Ca for the level energies, excited state lifetimes, and exclusive cross sections agree well with state-of-the-art theoretical calculations using different approaches. The observation of a short-lived state in $^{57}$Ca suggests a transition in the calcium isotopic chain from single-particle dominated states at $N=35$ to collective excitations at $N=37$.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2021

Nonmagnetic-magnetic transition and magnetically ordered structure in SmS

SmS, a prototypical intermediate valence compound, has been studied by performing high-pressure nuclear magnetic resonance measurements on a $^{33}$S-enriched sample. The observation of an additional signal below 15-20 K above a nonmagnetic-magnetic transition pressure $P_{\rm c2} \approx 2$ GPa gives evidence of a magnetic transition. The absence of a Curie-term in the Knight shift near $P_{\rm c2}$ indicates that the localized character of $4f$ electrons is entirely screened and the mechanism of the magnetic ordering is not described within a simple localized model. Simultaneously, the line shape in the magnetically ordered state is incompatible with a spin density wave order. These suggest that the magnetic order in SmS may require an understanding beyond the conventional framework for heavy fermions. The fact that hyperfine fields from the ordered moments cancel out at the S site leads us to a conclusion that the ordered phase has a type II antiferromagnetic structure.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

$\boldsymbol{N=32}$ shell closure below calcium: Low-lying structure of $^{50}$Ar

Low-lying excited states in the $N=32$ isotope $^{50}$Ar were investigated by in-beam $γ$-ray spectroscopy following proton- and neutron-knockout, multi-nucleon removal, and proton inelastic scattering at the RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory. The energies of the two previously reported transitions have been confirmed, and five additional states are presented for the first time, including a candidate for a 3$^-$ state. The level scheme built using $γγ$ coincidences was compared to shell-model calculations in the $sd-pf$ model space, and to ab initio predictions based on chiral two- and three-nucleon interactions. Theoretical proton- and neutron-knockout cross sections suggest that two of the new transitions correspond to $2^+$ states, while the previously proposed $4^+$ state could also correspond to a $2^+$ state.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Shell evolution of $N=40$ isotones towards $^{60}$Ca: First spectroscopy of $^{62}$Ti

Excited states in the $N=40$ isotone $^{62}$Ti were populated via the $^{63}$V$(p,2p)$$^{62}$Ti reaction at $\sim$200~MeV/u at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory and studied using $γ$-ray spectroscopy. The energies of the $2^+_1 \rightarrow 0^{+}_{\mathrm{gs}}$ and $4^+_1 \rightarrow 2^+_1$ transitions, observed here for the first time, indicate a deformed $^{62}$Ti ground state. These energies are increased compared to the neighboring $^{64}$Cr and $^{66}$Fe isotones, suggesting a small decrease of quadrupole collectivity. The present measurement is well reproduced by large-scale shell-model calculations based on effective interactions, while ab initio and beyond mean-field calculations do not yet reproduce our findings. The shell-model calculations for $^{62}$Ti show a dominant configuration with four neutrons excited across the $N=40$ gap. Likewise, they indicate that the $N=40$ island of inversion extends down to $Z=20$, disfavoring a possible doubly magic character of the elusive $^{60}$Ca.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Study of multi-neutron systems with SAMURAI spectrometer

The tetraneutron has been drawing the attention of the nuclear physics community for decades, but a firm conclusion on its existence and properties is still far from being reached despite many experimental and theoretical efforts. New measurements have recently been performed at RIBF with the SAMURAI spectrometer by applying complementary reaction probes, which will help to pin down the properties of this four-neutron system.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

How Robust is the N = 34 Subshell Closure? First Spectroscopy of $^{52}$Ar

The first $γ$-ray spectroscopy of $^{52}$Ar, with the neutron number N = 34, was measured using the $^{53}$K(p,2p) one-proton removal reaction at $\sim$210 MeV/u at the RIBF facility. The 2$^{+}_{1}$ excitation energy is found at 1656(18) keV, the highest among the Ar isotopes with N $>$ 20. This result is the first experimental signature of the persistence of the N = 34 subshell closure beyond $^{54}$Ca, i.e., below the magic proton number Z = 20. Shell-model calculations with phenomenological and chiral-effective-field-theory interactions both reproduce the measured 2$^{+}_{1}$ systematics of neutron-rich Ar isotopes, and support a N = 34 subshell closure in $^{52}$Ar.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

Depth profiling charge accumulation from a ferroelectric into a doped Mott insulator

The electric field control of functional properties is a crucial goal in oxide-based electronics. Non-volatile switching between different resistivity or magnetic states in an oxide channel can be achieved through charge accumulation or depletion from an adjacent ferroelectric. However, the way in which charge distributes near the interface between the ferroelectric and the oxide remains poorly known, which limits our understanding of such switching effects. Here we use a first-of-a-kind combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy with electron energy loss spectroscopy, near-total-reflection hard X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, and ab-initio theory to address this issue. We achieve a direct, quantitative, atomic-scale characterization of the polarization-induced charge density changes at the interface between the ferroelectric BiFeO3 and the doped Mott insulator Ca1-xCexMnO3, thus providing insight on how interface-engineering can enhance these switching effects.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Electrochemical kinetics and dimensional considerations at the nanoscale

It is shown that the consideration of the density of states variation in nanoscale electrochemical systems yields modulations in the rate constant and concomitant electrical currents. The proposed models extend the utility of Marcus-Hush-Chidsey (MHC) kinetics to a larger class of materials and could be used as a test of dimensional character. The implications of the study are of much significance to an understanding and modulation of charge transfer nanostructured electrodes.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

High-performance ferroelectric memory based on fully patterned tunnel junctions

In tunnel junctions with ferroelectric barriers, switching the polarization direction modifies the electrostatic potential profile and the associated average tunnel barrier height. This results in strong changes of the tunnel transmission and associated resistance. The information readout in ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs) is thus resistive and non-destructive, which is an advantage compared to the case of conventional ferroelectric memories (FeRAMs). Initially, endurance limitation (i.e. fatigue) was the main factor hampering the industrialization of FeRAMs. Systematic investigations of switching dynamics for various ferroelectric and electrode materials have resolved this issue, with endurance now reaching $10^{14}$ cycles. Here we investigate data retention and endurance in fully patterned submicron Co/BiFeO$_3$/Ca$_{0.96}$Ce$_{0.04}$MnO$_3$ FTJs. We report good reproducibility with high resistance contrasts and extend the maximum reported endurance of FTJs by three orders of magnitude ($4\times10^6$ cycles). Our results indicate that here fatigue is not limited by a decrease of the polarization or an increase of the leakage but rather by domain wall pinning. We propose directions to access extreme and intermediate resistance states more reliably and further strengthen the potential of FTJs for non-volatile memory applications.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Phase diagram of Ca$_{1-x}$Ce$_x$MnO$_3$ thin films studied by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism

In the perovskite-type Ca$_{1-x}$Ce$_{x}$MnO$_{3}$ (CCMO), one can control the transport and magnetic properties through varying Ce content. In the case of thin films, the properties can also be controlled by epitaxial strain from the substrate through changing it such as YAlO$_{3}$ (YAO), NdAlO$_{3}$ (NAO), and LaSrAlO$_{4}$ (LSAO). However, one cannot measure the magnetization of thin films on NAO substrates by conventional magnetization measurements because of the strong paramagnetic signals from the Nd$^{3+}$ ions. In order to eliminate the influence of Nd$^{3+}$ and to identify magnetic phases of the CCMO thin films, we have performed element-selective X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) measurements of the Mn 2{\it p} core level. By studying the anisotropy of the XMCD intensity, we could unambiguously determine the magnetic phase diagram of the CCMO thin films.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Role of doped Ru in coercivity-enhanced La$_{0.6}$Sr$_{0.4}MnO$_3$ thin film studied by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism

The coercivity of La$_{1-x}$Sr$_x$MnO$_3$ thin films can be enhanced by Ru substitution for Mn. In order to elucidate its mechanism, we performed soft x-ray absorption and magnetic circular dichroism measurements at the Ru M$_{2,3}$ and Mn L$_{2,3}$ edges. We found that the spin direction of Ru and Mn are opposite and that Ru has a finite orbital magnetic moment. Cluster-model analysis indicated that the finite orbital magnetic moment as well as the reduced spin moment of Ru result from local lattice distortion caused by epitaxial strain from the SrTiO$_3$ substrate in the presence of spin-orbit interaction.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2012

Disorder promotes ferromagnetism: Rounding of the quantum phase transition in Sr_{1-x}Ca_xRuO_3

The subtle interplay of randomness and quantum fluctuations at low temperatures gives rise to a plethora of unconventional phenomena in systems ranging from quantum magnets and correlated electron materials to ultracold atomic gases. Particularly strong disorder effects have been predicted to occur at zero-temperature quantum phase transitions. Here, we demonstrate that the composition-driven ferromagnetic-to-paramagnetic quantum phase transition in Sr1-xCaxRuO3 is completely destroyed by the disorder introduced via the different ionic radii of the randomly distributed Sr and Ca ions. Using a magneto-optical technique, we map the magnetic phase diagram in the composition-temperature space. We find that the ferromagnetic phase is significantly extended by the disorder and develops a pronounced tail over a broad range of the composition x. These findings are explained by a microscopic model of smeared quantum phase transitions in itinerant magnets. Moreover, our theoretical study implies that correlated disorder is even more powerful in promoting ferromagnetism than random disorder.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗