arXiv subjects

I. Ragnarsson

Publications and source records attributed to I. Ragnarsson.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Smooth band termination in $^{115}$I

The cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky formalism is employed to investigate the band structure of $^{115}$I from low to high spin. A set of eight rotational bands with well established spins and parities are analyzed. Five bands start at low spin and are assigned to the single-particle proton orbitals ($d_{5/2}$, $g_{7/2}$), $g_{9/2}$, and $h_{11/2}$, which are close to the Z=53 Fermi surface for a deformation of $\varepsilon_2=0.2$. The analysis of the observed level energies relative to a rotating liquid drop and spins versus $\gamma$-ray energies allow to track the evolution of the configurations with increasing spin. It is of special interest that one band in the valence space is observed to a smooth termination at $I_{max} = 67/2^+$.

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arXiv2022

Nuclear spectra from low-energy interactions

A method to describe spectra starting from nuclear density functionals is explored. The idea is based on postulating an effective Hamiltonian that reproduces the stiffness associated with collective modes. The method defines a simple form of such an effective Hamiltonian and a mapping to go from a density functional to the corresponding Hamiltonian. In order to test the method, the Hamiltonian is constrained using a Skyrme functional and solved with the generator-coordinate method to describe low-lying levels and electromagnetic transitions in $^{48,49,50,52}$Cr and $^{24}$Mg.

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arXiv2016

Single-particle and collective excitations in $^{62}$Ni

{\bf Background:} Level sequences of rotational character have been observed in several nuclei in the $A=60$ mass region. The importance of the deformation-driving $πf_{7/2}$ and $νg_{9/2}$ orbitals on the onset of nuclear deformation is stressed.\\ {\bf Purpose:} A measurement was performed in order to identify collective rotational structures in the relatively neutron-rich $^{62}$Ni isotope. \\ {\bf Method:} The $^{26}$Mg($^{48}$Ca,2$α$4$nγ$)$^{62}$Ni complex reaction at beam energies between 275 and 320~MeV was utilized. Reaction products were identified in mass ($A$) and charge ($Z$) with the Fragment Mass Analyzer (FMA) and $γ$ rays were detected with the Gammasphere array. \\ {\bf Results:} Two collective bands, built upon states of single-particle character, were identified and sizable deformation was assigned to both sequences based on the measured transitional quadrupole moments, herewith quantifying the deformation at high spin. \\ {\bf Conclusions:} Based on Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations and comparisons with deformed bands in the $A=60$ mass region, the two rotational bands are understood as being associated with configurations involving multiple $f_{7/2}$ protons and $g_{9/2}$ neutrons, driving the nucleus to sizable prolate deformation.

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arXiv2015

Recoil-alpha-fission and recoil-alpha-alpha-fission events observed in the reaction Ca-48 + Am-243

Products of the fusion-evaporation reaction Ca-48 + Am-243 were studied with the TASISpec set-up at the gas-filled separator TASCA at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung. Amongst the detected thirty correlated alpha-decay chains associated with the production of element Z=115, two recoil-alpha-fission and five recoil-alpha-alpha-fission events were observed. The latter are similar to four such events reported from experiments performed at the Dubna gas-filled separator. Contrary to their interpretation, we propose an alternative view, namely to assign eight of these eleven decay chains of recoil-alpha(-alpha)-fission type to start from the 3n-evaporation channel 115-288. The other three decay chains remain viable candidates for the 2n-evaporation channel 115-289.

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arXiv2014

Structure of Superheavy Nuclei Along Element 115 Decay Chains

A recent high-resolution $α$, $X$-ray, and $γ$-ray coincidence-spectroscopy experiment offered first glimpse of excitation schemes of isotopes along $α$-decay chains of $Z=115$. To understand these observations and to make predictions about shell structure of superheavy nuclei below $^{288}115$, we employ two complementary mean-field models: self-consistent Skyrme Energy Density Functional approach and the macroscopic-microscopic Nilsson model. We discuss the spectroscopic information carried by the new data. In particular, candidates for the experimentally observed $E1$ transitions in $^{276}$Mt are proposed. We find that the presence and nature of low-energy $E1$ transitions in well-deformed nuclei around $Z=110, N=168$ strongly depends on the strength of the spin-orbit coupling; hence, it provides an excellent constraint on theoretical models of superheavy nuclei. To clarify competing theoretical scenarios, an experimental search for $E1$ transitions in odd-$A$ systems $^{275,277}$Mt, $^{275}$Hs, and $^{277}$Ds is strongly recommended.

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arXiv2012

Interpretation of the large-deformation high spin bands in selected A=158-168 nuclei

The high-spin rotational bands in 168Hf and the triaxial bands in Lu nuclei are analyzed using the configuration-constrained Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky (CNS) model. Special attention is given to the up-sloping extruder orbitals. The relative alignment between the bands which appear to correspond to triaxial shape is also considered, including the yrast ultra-high spin band in 158Er. This comparison suggests that the latter band is formed from rotation around the intermediate axis. In addition, the standard approximations of the CNS approach are investigated, indicating that the errors which are introduced by the neglect of off-shell matrix elements and the cut-off at 9 oscillator shells (N_{max}=8) are essentially negligible compared to other uncertainties. On the other hand, the full inclusion of the hexadecapole degree of freedom is more significant; for example it leads to a decrease of the total energy of ~ 500 keV in the TSD region of 168Hf.

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arXiv2011

Quadrupole Moments of Collective Structures up to Spin $\sim$ $65\hbar$ in $^{157}$Er and $^{158}$Er: A Challenge for Understanding Triaxiality in Nuclei

The transition quadrupole moments, $Q_{\rm t}$, of four weakly populated collective bands up to spin $\sim$ $65\hbar$ in $^{157,158}$Er have been measured to be ${\sim}11 {\rm eb}$ demonstrating that these sequences are associated with large deformations. However, the data are inconsistent with calculated values from cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations that predict the lowest energy triaxial shape to be associated with rotation about the short principal axis. The data appear to favor either a stable triaxial shape rotating about the intermediate axis or, alternatively, a triaxial shape with larger deformation rotating about the short axis. These new results challenge the present understanding of triaxiality in nuclei.

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arXiv2011

Evidence for Shape Co-existence at medium spin in 76Rb

Four previously known rotational bands in 76Rb have been extended to moderate spins using the Gammasphere and Microball gamma ray and charged particle detector arrays and the 40Ca(40Ca,3pn) reaction at a beam energy of 165 MeV. The properties of two of the negative-parity bands can only readily be interpreted in terms of the highly successful Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky model calculations if they have the same configuration in terms of the number of g9/2 particles, but they result from different nuclear shapes (one near-oblate and the other near-prolate). These data appear to constitute a unique example of shape co-existing structures at medium spins.

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arXiv2010

High-spin intruder band in $^{107}$In

High-spin states in the neutron deficient nucleus $^{107}$In were studied via the $^{58}$Ni($^{52}$Cr, 3p) reaction. In-beam $γ$ rays were measured using the JUROGAM detector array. A rotational cascade consisting of ten $γ$-ray transitions which decays to the 19/2$^{+}$ level at 2.002 MeV was observed. The band exhibits the features typical for smooth terminating bands which also appear in rotational bands of heavier nuclei in the A$\sim$100 region. The results are compared with Total Routhian Surface and Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations.

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arXiv2005

Calculating the nuclear mass at finite angular momenta

Mean field methods to calculate the nuclear mass are extended into the high spin regime to calculate the nuclear binding energy as a function of proton number, neutron number and angular momentum. Comparing the trend as a function of mass number for a selection of high-spin states, a similar agreement between theory and experiment is obtained as for ground state masses.

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arXiv2005

The Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky versus the Spherical Shell Model: A Comparative Study of pf-Shell Nuclei

A comparative study is performed of a deformed mean field theory, represented by the cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky (CNS) model, and the spherical shell model. Energy spectra, occupation numbers, B(E2)-values, and spectroscopic quadrupole moments in the light pf shell nuclei are calculated in the two models and compared. The result is also compared to available experimental data which are generally well described by the shell model. Although the Nilsson-Strutinsky calculation does not include pairing, both the subshell occupation numbers and quadrupole properties are found to be rather similar in the two models. It is also shown that ``unpaired'' shell model calculations produce very similar energies as the CNS at all spins. The role of the pairing energy in the description of backbending and signature splitting in odd-mass nuclei is also discussed.

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arXiv2001

Fast Rotation of the N=Z Nucleus 36Ar

A highly-deformed rotational band has been identified in the N=Z nucleus 36Ar. At high spin the band is observed to its presumed termination at I=16+, while at low spin it has been firmly linked to previously known states in 36Ar. Spins, parities, and absolute excitation energies have thus been determined throughout the band. Lifetime measurements establish a large low-spin quadrupole deformation (beta_2=0.46+-0.03) and indicate a decreasing collectivity as the band termination is approached. With effectively complete spectroscopic information and a valence space large enough for significant collectivity to develop, yet small enough to be meaningfully approached from the shell model perspective, this rotational band in 36Ar provides many exciting opportunities to test and compare complementary models of collective motion in nuclei.

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arXiv2000

Mean field studies of high-spin properties in the $A\sim 30$ and 60 regions of superdeformation

The importance of deformation changes and the possible role of proton-neutron pairing correlations on the properties of paired band crossings at superdeformation in the $A\sim 60$ mass region have been analyzed. The present analysis, supported in part by the cranked relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov calculations for the SD band in $^{60}$Zn, suggests that when going from $^{60}$Zn to neighboring odd nuclei the properties of paired band crossings are strongly influenced by deformation changes. A number of questions related to the superdeformation in the $A\sim 30$ mass region has been studied with the cranked relativistic mean field theory and the configuration-dependent cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky approach.

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arXiv1999

Triaxiality in 48Cr

Rotational behavior inducing triaxiality is discussed for 48Cr in the cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky (CNS) model, as well as in the spherical shell model. It is shown that the low-spin region up to about I=8, has a prolate well-deformed shape. At higher spins the shape is triaxial with a "negative-gamma" deformation, that is, with rotation around the classically forbidden intermediate axis. By comparing calculated B(E2)-values and spectroscopic quadrupole moments in the CNS with spherical shell model results and experimental data, the triaxial rotation around the intermediate axis is confirmed.

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arXiv1998

A comparative study of super- and highly-deformed bands in the A ~ 60 mass region

Super- and highly-deformed rotational bands in the A ~ 60 mass region are studied within cranked relativistic mean field theory and the configuration-dependent shell-correction approach based on the cranked Nilsson potential. Both approaches describe the experimental data well. Low values of the dynamic moments of inertia J^(2) compared with the kinematic moments of inertia J^(1) seen both in experiment and in calculations at high rotational frequencies indicate the high energy cost to build the states at high spin and reflect the limited angular momentum content in these configurations.

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arXiv1997

Rotational Bands at the Limit of Angular Momentum

The properties of rotational bands at the limit of angular momentum are discussed on the example of smooth terminating bands observed in the A~110 mass region. The effective alignment approach is used for the study of their relative properties which provides additional insight into the properties of such bands.

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arXiv1997

Relative Properties of Smooth Terminating Bands

The relative properties of smooth terminating bands observed in the A~110 mass region are studied within the effective alignment approach. Theoretical values of $i_{eff}$ are calculated using the configuration-dependent shell-correction model with the cranked Nilsson potential. Reasonable agreement with experiment shows that previous interpretations of these bands are consistent with the present study. Contrary to the case of superdeformed bands, the effective alignments of these bands deviate significantly from the pure single-particle alignments < j_x > of the corresponding orbitals. This indicates that in the case of smooth terminating bands, the effects associated with changes in equilibrium deformations contribute significantly to the effective alignment.

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