arXiv subjects

Joel Kostensalo

Publications and source records attributed to Joel Kostensalo.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Precise determination of electron-capture $Q$ value of $^{113}$Sn decay related to electron neutrino mass measurements

A high-precision measurement of the electron-capture (EC) decay $Q$ value for the ground-state-to-ground-state (gs-to-gs) transition of $^{113}$Sn to $^{113}$In has been performed using the JYFLTRAP double Penning trap mass spectrometer. Employing the phase-imaging ion-cyclotron-resonance technique, the isomeric state of $^{113}$Sn at 77.389(19) keV was resolved, and the cyclotron frequency ratio measured between the isomer $^{113m}$Sn and the daughter nucleus $^{113}$In. This yielded an isomer-to-ground-state $Q$ value of 1116.64(19) keV and gs-to-gs $Q$ value of 1039.25(19) keV. The atomic mass excess of $^{113}$Sn was determined as $-$88327.87(27) keV/c$^2$, in excellent agreement with the Atomic Mass Evaluation 2020 (AME2020) but with a sixfold precision improvement. Using nuclear energy-level data for $^{113}$In, we identified two low $Q$-value transitions of the ground state of $^{113}$Sn to excited states of $^{113}$In at 1024.280(50) keV ($Q_{EC}^* = 14.97(20)$ keV, second forbidden non-unique) and 1029.650(50) keV ($Q_{EC}^* = 9.60(20)$ keV, allowed). The allowed transition exhibits small energy differences ($Δ_{L1} = 5.58(20)$ keV, $Δ_{L2} = 5.87(20)$ keV) from L1 and L2 shell binding energies, enhancing endpoint events. Partial half-lives and energy-release spectra were calculated using the self-consistent Dirac-Hartree-Fock-Slater (DHFS) method (including exchange, overlap, shake-up, and shake-off corrections) together with the nuclear shell model, show enhanced endpoint sensitivity for the allowed transition to the state at 1029.650 keV. Including subthreshold atomic states in the spectral function enhances the EC rate near the zero-neutrino-momentum region by a factor of five, enabling new approaches for low $Q$-value EC reactions in neutrino-mass studies.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2026

Multispectral airborne laser scanning for tree species classification: a benchmark of machine learning and deep learning algorithms

Climate-smart and biodiversity-preserving forestry demands precise information on forest resources, extending to the individual tree level. Multispectral airborne laser scanning (ALS) has shown promise in automated point cloud processing, but challenges remain in leveraging deep learning techniques and identifying rare tree species in class-imbalanced datasets. This study addresses these gaps by conducting a comprehensive benchmark of deep learning and traditional shallow machine learning methods for tree species classification. For the study, we collected high-density multispectral ALS data ($>1000$ $\mathrm{pts}/\mathrm{m}^2$) at three wavelengths using the FGI-developed HeliALS system, complemented by existing Optech Titan data (35 $\mathrm{pts}/\mathrm{m}^2$), to evaluate the species classification accuracy of various algorithms in a peri-urban study area located in southern Finland. We established a field reference dataset of 6326 segments across nine species using a newly developed browser-based crowdsourcing tool, which facilitated efficient data annotation. The ALS data, including a training dataset of 1065 segments, was shared with the scientific community to foster collaborative research and diverse algorithmic contributions. Based on 5261 test segments, our findings demonstrate that point-based deep learning methods, particularly a point transformer model, outperformed traditional machine learning and image-based deep learning approaches on high-density multispectral point clouds. For the high-density ALS dataset, a point transformer model provided the best performance reaching an overall (macro-average) accuracy of 87.9% (74.5%) with a training set of 1065 segments and 92.0% (85.1%) with a larger training set of 5000 segments.

cs.CV↗

arXiv2025

High-precision direct decay energy measurements of the electron-capture decay of $^{97}$Tc

A direct measurement of the ground-state-to-ground-state electron-capture decay $Q$ ($Q_{\rm EC}$) value of $^{97}$Tc has been conducted employing the high resolving power phase-imaging ion-cyclotron-resonance technique with the double Penning trap mass spectrometer JYFLTRAP. The resulting $Q_{\rm EC}$ value for $^{97}$Tc is 324.82(21) keV, exhibiting a precision approximately 19 times higher than the value adopted in the newest Atomic Mass Evaluation (AME2020) and differing by 1.2$σ$. Furthermore, by combining this refined $Q$ value with nuclear energy-level data for the decay-daughter $^{97}$Mo, a potential ultra-low Q-value transition, possibly of allowed type, $^{97}$Tc (9/2$^{+}$, ground state) $\rightarrow$ $^{97}$Mo$^{*}$ (320(1) keV), was evaluated for future long-term neutrino-mass determination experiments. The ground-state-to-excited-state electron-capture decay $Q$ value ($Q^{*}_{\rm EC}$) of this transition was determined to be 4.8(10) keV, confirming it to be energetically allowed with a confidence level of exceeding 4$σ$. The captures of electrons occupying the L and higher shells for this transition are energetically allowed, giving a value of 2.0(10) keV for the closest distance of $Q^{*}_{\rm EC}$ to the allowed binding energy of the L1 shell. To predict partial half-lives and energy-release distributions for this transition, the atomic self-consistent many-electron Dirac--Hartree--Fock--Slater method and the nuclear shell model have been employed. Dominant correction terms such as exchange and overlap corrections, as well as shake-up and shake-off effects, were included in the final results. Moreover, the normalized distribution of released energy in the electron-capture decay of $^{97}$Tc to excited states of $^{97}$Mo, is compared with that of $^{163}$Ho, which is being used for electron-neutrino-mass determination.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2024

High-precision measurements of the atomic mass and electron-capture decay $Q$ value of $^{95}$Tc

A direct measurement of the ground-state-to-ground-state electron-capture decay $Q$ value of $^{95}$Tc has been performed utilizing the double Penning trap mass spectrometer JYFLTRAP. The $Q$ value was determined to be 1695.92(13) keV by taking advantage of the high resolving power of the phase-imaging ion-cyclotron-resonance technique to resolve the low-lying isomeric state of $^{95}$Tc (excitation energy of 38.910(40) keV) from the ground state. The mass excess of $^{95}$Tc was measured to be $-$86015.95(18) keV/c$^2$, exhibiting a precision of about 28 times higher and in agreement with the value from the newest Atomic Mass Evaluation (AME2020). Combined with the nuclear energy-level data for the decay-daughter $^{95}$Mo, two potential ultra-low $Q$-value transitions are identified for future long-term neutrino-mass determination experiments. The atomic self-consistent many-electron Dirac--Hartree--Fock--Slater method and the nuclear shell model have been used to predict the partial half-lives and energy-release distributions for the two transitions. The dominant correction terms related to those processes are considered, including the exchange and overlap corrections, and the shake-up and shake-off effects. The normalized distribution of the released energy in the electron-capture decay of $^{95}$Tc to excited states of $^{95}$Mo is compared to that of $^{163}$Ho currently being used for electron-neutrino-mass determination.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2024

Analysis of $^{115}$In $β$ decay through the spectral moment method

We analyze the $^{115}$In $β$-decay energy spectrum through the spectral moment method (SMM), previously introduced in the context of $^{113}$Cd $β$ decay. The spectral moments $μ_n$ are defined as averaged $n^{\rm th}$ powers of the $β$ particle energy, characterizing the spectrum normalization ($n=0$) and shape ($n\geq 1$) above a given threshold. For $^{115}$In, we consider three independent datasets characterized by different thresholds. We also consider three nuclear model calculations with two free parameters: the ratio of axial-vector to vector couplings, $r=g_{\rm A}/g_{\rm V}$, and the small vector-like relativistic nuclear matrix element (NME), $s=s$-NME. By using the most recent of the three datasets, we show that the first few spectral moments can determine $(r,\, s)$ values in good agreement with those obtained by full-fledged experimental fits. We then work out the SMM results for the other datasets. We find that, although $g_{\rm A}$ quenching is generally favored, the preferred quenching factors may differ considerably depending on the chosen experimental data and nuclear models. We discuss various issues affecting both the overall normalization and the low-energy behaviour of the measured and computed spectra, and their joint effects on the experimentally quoted half-life values. Further $^{115}$In $β$-decay data at the lowest possible energy threshold appear to be crucial to clarify these issues.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2023

What you see is not what is there: Mechanisms, models, and methods for point pattern deviations

Many natural systems are observed as point patterns in time, space, or space and time. Examples include plant and cellular systems, animal colonies, earthquakes, and wildfires. In practice the locations of the points are not always observed correctly. However, in the point process literature, there has been relatively scant attention paid to the issue of errors in the location of points. In this paper, we discuss how the observed point pattern may deviate from the actual point pattern and review methods and models that exist to handle such deviations. The discussion is supplemented with several scientific illustrations.

stat.ME↗

arXiv2023

$^{113}$Cd $β$-decay spectrum and $g_{\rm A}$ quenching using spectral moments

We present an alternative analysis of the $^{113}$Cd $β$-decay electron energy spectrum in terms of spectral moments $μ_n$, corresponding to the averaged values of $n^{\rm th}$ powers of the $β$ particle energy. The zeroth moment $μ_0$ is related to the decay rate, while higher moments $μ_n$ are related to the spectrum shape. The here advocated spectral-moment method (SMM) allows for a complementary understanding of previous results, obtained using the so-called spectrum-shape method (SSM) and its revised version, in terms of two free parameters: $r=g_{\rm A}/g_{\rm V}$ (the ratio of axial-vector to vector couplings) and $s$ (the small vector-like relativistic nuclear matrix element, $s$-NME). We present numerical results for three different nuclear models with the conserved vector current hypothesis (CVC) assumption of $g_{\rm V}=1$. We show that most of the spectral information can be captured by the first few moments which are simple quadratic forms (conic sections) in the $(r,\,s)$ plane: an ellipse for $n=0$ and hyperbolae for $n\geq 1$, all being nearly degenerate as a result of cancellations among nuclear matrix elements. The intersections of these curves, as obtained by equating theoretical and experimental values of $μ_n$, identify the favored values of $(r,\,s)$ at a glance, without performing detailed fits. In particular, we find that values around $r\sim 1$ and $s\sim 1.6$ are consistently favored in each nuclear model, confirming the evidence for $g_{\rm A}$ quenching in $^{113}$Cd, and shedding light on the role of the $s$-NME. We briefly discuss future applications of the SMM to other forbidden $β$-decay spectra sensitive to $g_{\rm A}$.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2022

The first large-scale shell-model calculation of the two-neutrino double beta decay of $^{76}$Ge to the excited states in $^{76}$Se

Large-scale shell-model calculations were carried out for the half-lives and branching ratios of the $2νββ$ decay of $^{76}$Ge to the ground state and the lowest three excited states $2_1^+$, $0_2^+$ and $2_2^+$ in $^{76}$Se. In total, the wave functions of more than 10,000 intermediate $1^+$ states in $^{76}$As were calculated in a three-step procedure allowing an efficient use of the available computer resources. In the first step, 250 lowest states, below some 5 MeV of excitation energy, were calculated without truncations within a full major shell $0f_{5/2}-1p-0g_{9/2}$ for both protons and neutrons. The wave functions of the rest of the states, up to some 30 MeV, were computed in two more steps by introducing two consecutive stages of truncation. The computed magnitudes of the $2νββ$ nuclear matrix elements (including the value of the axial-vector coupling $g_{\rm A}$), $\vert M_{2ν}\vert g_{\rm A}^2$, converged to the values 0.168$g_{\rm A}^2$, $1.2\times10^{-3}$$g_{\rm A}^2$, 0.121$g_{\rm A}^2$, and $3.1\times10^{-3}$$g_{\rm A}^2$ for the $0^+_{\rm g.s.}$, $2^+_1$, $0^+_2$, and $2^+_2$ states, respectively. Using up-to-date phase-space integrals, the corresponding branching ratios were derived to be 99.926\%, 4.4$\times10^{-5}$\%, 0.074\% and 2.5$\times10^{-7}$\%. The experimental half-life $(1.926\pm0.094)\times10^{21}$ yr of the ground-state transition was used to derive the value $g_{\rm A}=0.80\pm0.01$ for the axial-vector coupling, which is consistent with other shell-model calculations suggesting a quenched value of $g_{\rm A}$. Using this value of $g_{\rm A}$, predictions for the transition half-lives were derived.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2022

Microscopic calculation of the $β^-$ decays of $^{151}$Sm, $^{171}$Tm, and $^{210}$Pb with implications to detection of the cosmic neutrino background

The electron spectral shapes corresponding to the low-$Q$ $β^-$-decay transitions $^{151}$Sm$(5/2^-_{\rm g.s.})\to\,^{151}\textrm{Eu}(5/2^+_{\rm g.s.})$, $^{151}$Sm$(5/2^-_{\rm g.s.})\to\,^{151}\textrm{Eu}(7/2^+_{1})$, $^{171}$Tm$(1/2^+_{\rm g.s.})\to\,^{171}\textrm{Yb}(1/2^-_{\rm g.s.})$, $^{171}$Tm$(1/2^+_{\rm g.s.})\to\,^{171}\textrm{Yb}(3/2^-_{1})$, $^{210}\textrm{Pb}(0^+_{\rm g.s.})\to\,^{210}\textrm{Bi}(1^-_{\rm g.s.})$, and $^{210}\textrm{Pb}(0^+_{\rm g.s.})\to\,^{210}\textrm{Bi}(0^-_{1})$ have been computed using beta-decay theory with several refinements for these first-forbidden nonunique (ff-nu) $β^-$ transitions. These ff-nu $β^-$ transitions have non-trivial electron spectral shapes with transition nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) computed by using the microscopic Interacting Boson-Fermion Model (IBFM-2) for the decays of $^{151}$Sm and $^{171}$Tm, and the nuclear shell model (NSM) for the decay of $^{210}$Pb. Within the respective $Q$ windows, the computed ff-nu electron spectral shapes deviate maximally at sub-percent level from the universal allowed shape, except for the transition $^{210}\textrm{Pb}(0^+_{\rm g.s.})\to\,^{210}\textrm{Bi}(1^-_{\rm g.s.})$, where the maximal deviation is some 2.7$\%$. This confirms that the so-called $ξ$ approximation is fairly good for most of these low-$Q$ $β^-$ transitions and thus the allowed shape is a rather good first approximation. Our computed spectral shapes could be of interest for experiments aiming to measure the cosmic neutrino background (C$ν$B), like the PTOLEMY experiment. We have also derived C$ν$B cross sections for the ground-state transitions of the considered nuclei at the $β$ endpoint. Our findings indicate that more work on the atomic mismatch correction is needed in the future in order to extract reliable and precise C$ν$B cross sections for any nuclear target.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2021

Confirmation of $g_{\rm A}$ quenching using the revised spectrum-shape method for the analysis of the $^{113}$Cd $β$-decay as measured with the COBRA demonstrator

In this article we present an updated spectrum-shape analysis of the $^{113}$Cd fourfold forbidden non-unique $β$-decay transition in order to address the quenching of the weak axial-vector coupling $g_{\rm A}$ in low-momentum exchange nuclear processes. The experimental data were collected in a dedicated low-threshold run with the COBRA demonstrator at the LNGS and resulted in 44 individual $^{113}$Cd spectra. These data are evaluated in the context of three nuclear model frameworks based on a revised version of the spectrum-shape method and the conserved vector current hypothesis. The novel idea devised in the present work is to fit the value of the small relativistic nuclear matrix element (s-NME) driving the nuclear model calculations, which remained essentially as a free parameter in previous studies. This is done by tuning the nuclear structure calculations and making use of the interplay of $g_{\rm A}$ and the s-NME such that the experimentally known $^{113}$Cd half-life gets reproducible by the different frameworks. In this way, a best fit s-NME value can be derived for each of the considered nuclear models, which finally enters the template calculations used to perform the spectrum-shape analysis for each of the obtained $^{113}$Cd spectra. The primary analysis strategy results in significantly quenched values of the axial-vector coupling for all three nuclear models: $\overline{g}_{\rm A}(\text{ISM}) = 0.907 \pm 0.064$, $\overline{g}_{\rm A}(\text{MQPM}) = 0.993 \pm 0.063$ and $\overline{g}_{\rm A}(\text{IBFM-2}) = 0.828 \pm 0.140$. Moreover, with our data-driven approach one of the main shortcomings of the spectrum-shape method has been resolved. This achievement is a milestone in the description of strongly forbidden $β$-decays and adds to the indications for the existence of a quenching of $g_{\rm A}$ in low-momentum exchange nuclear processes.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2020

Improved calculations of beta decay backgrounds to new physics in liquid xenon detectors

We present high-precision theoretical predictions for the electron energy spectra for the ground-state to ground-state $β$ decays of $^{214}$Pb, $^{212}$Pb, and $^{85}$Kr most relevant to the background of liquid xenon dark matter detectors. The effects of nuclear structure on the spectral shapes are taken into account using large-scale shell model calculations. Final spectra also include atomic screening and exchange effects. The impact of nuclear structure effects on the $^{214}$Pb and $^{212}$Pb spectra below $\approx100$ keV, pertinent for several searches for new physics, are found to be comparatively larger than those from the atomic effects alone. We find that the full calculation for $^{214}$Pb ($^{212}$Pb) predicts 15.0-23.2% (12.1-19.0%) less event rate in a 1-15 keV energy region of interest compared to the spectrum calculated as an allowed transition when using values of the weak axial vector coupling in the range $g_{\rm A}=0.7-1.0$. The discrepancy highlights the importance of both a proper theoretical treatment and the need for direct measurements of these spectra for a thorough understanding of $β$ decay backgrounds in future experiments.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

Second-forbidden nonunique $β^-$ decays of $^{24}$Na and $^{36}$Cl assessed by the nuclear shell model

We have performed a systematic study of the log$ft$ values, shape factors and electron spectra for the second-forbidden nonunique $β^-$ decays of $^{24}$Na$(4^+) \rightarrow ^{24}$Mg$(2^+)$ and $^{36}$Cl$(2^+) \rightarrow ^{36}$Ar$(0^+)$ transitions under the framework of the nuclear shell model. We have performed the shell model calculations in the $sd$ model space, using more recent microscopic effective interactions such as Daejeon16, chiral N3LO, and JISP16. These interactions are derived from the no-core shell model wave functions using Okubo-Lee-Suzuki transformation.For comparison, we have also shown the results obtain from the phenomenological USDB interaction. To test the predictive power of these interactions first we have computed low-lying energy spectra of parent and daughter nuclei involved in these transitions. The computed results for energy spectra, nuclear matrix elements, log$ft$ values, shape factors, electron spectra and decomposition of the integrated shape factor are reported and compare with the available experimental data.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2020

The gallium anomaly reassessed using a Bayesian approach

The solar-neutrino detectors GALLEX and SAGE were calibrated by electron-neutrino flux from the $^{37}$Ar and $^{51}$Cr calibration sources. A deficit in the measured neutrino flux was recorded by counting the number of neutrino-induced conversions of the $^{71}$Ga nuclei to $^{71}$Ge nuclei. This deficit was coined ``gallium anomaly'' and it has lead to speculations about beyond-the-standard-model physics in the form of eV-mass sterile neutrinos. Notably, this anomaly has already defied final solution for more than 20 years. Here we reassess the statistical significance of this anomaly and improve the related statistical approaches by treating the neutrino experiments as repeated Bernoulli trials taking into account the fact that the number of the detected $^{71}$Ge nuclei is quite small, thus calling for a Bayesian statistical approach. In addition, we take into account the systematic errors of the experiments, their correlations, theoretical uncertainties and the number of background solar-neutrino events as a Poisson-distributed random variable. To compare with the previously reported statistical significances of the anomaly we convert the posterior intervals of our Bayesian approach to standard deviations $σ$ of the frequentist approach. We find that our approach reduces the statistical significance of the anomaly by $0.8\,σ$ for all the adopted theoretical approaches. This renders the gallium anomaly a statistically weakly supported concept. Furthermore, the implications of our approach go far beyond the gallium anomaly since the results of many rare-events experiments should be reassessed for their limited number of recorded events.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Calculated solar-neutrino capture rate for a radiochemical 205 Tl-based solar-neutrino detector

Radiochemical experiments for low-energy solar-neutrino detection have been making headlines by exploiting the isotopes \iso{Cl}{37} and \iso{Ga}{71}. Such a very low-threshold measurement of this type can also be performed using \iso{Tl}{205}, which has been considered for decades for this purpose. A unique feature of this detector nucleus is the integration is the solar-neutrino flux over millions of years owing to its long-living daughter \iso{Pb}{205}. In this study we have calculated for the first time the cross section for the charged-current solar-neutrino scattering off \iso{Tl}{205}. Taking into account the solar-model-predicted neutrino fluxes and the electron-neutrino survival probabilities, a solar-neutrino capture rate of 62.2 $\pm 8.6$ SNU is determined, a value significantly smaller than in previous estimates.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2019

Quenching of $g_{\rm A}$ deduced from the $β$-spectrum shape of $^{113}$Cd measured with the COBRA experiment

A dedicated study of the quenching of the weak axial-vector coupling strength $g_{\rm A}$ in nuclear processes has been performed by the COBRA collaboration. This investigation is driven by nuclear model calculations which show that the $β$-spectrum shape of the fourfold forbidden non-unique decay of $^{113}$Cd strongly depends on the effective value of $g_{\rm A}$. Using an array of CdZnTe semiconductor detectors, 45 independent $^{113}$Cd spectra were obtained and interpreted in the context of three nuclear models. The resulting effective mean values are $\bar{g}_{\rm A}(\text{ISM}) = 0.915 \pm 0.007$, $\bar{g}_{\rm A}(\text{MQPM}) = 0.911 \pm 0.013$ and $\bar{g}_{\rm A}(\text{IBFM-2}) = 0.955 \pm 0.022$. These values agree well within the determined uncertainties and deviate significantly from the free value of $g_{\rm A}$. This can be seen as a first step towards answering the long-standing question regarding quenching effects related to $g_{\rm A}$ in low-energy nuclear processes.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Consistent large-scale shell-model analysis of the two-neutrino $ββ$ and single $β$ branchings in $^{48}\rm Ca$ and $^{96}\rm Zr$

Two-neutrino double-beta-decay matrix elements $M_{2ν}$ and single beta-decay branching ratios were calculated for $^{48}$Ca and $^{96}$Zr in the interacting nuclear shell model using large single-particle valence spaces with well-tested two-body Hamiltonians. For $^{48}$Ca the matrix element $M_{2ν}=0.0511$ is obtained, which is 5.5\% smaller than the previously reported value of 0.0539. For $^{96}$Zr this work reports the first large-scale shell-model calculation of the nuclear matrix element, yielding a value $M_{2ν}=0.0747$ with extreme single-state dominance. If the scenario where the first $1^+$ state in $^{96}$Nb is at 694.6 keV turns out to be correct, the matrix element is increased to 0.0854. These matrix elements, combined with the available $ββ$-decay half-life data, yield effective values of the weak axial coupling which in turn are used to produce in a consistent way the $β$-decay branching ratios of $(7.5\pm2.8)$ % for $^{48}$Ca and $(18.4\pm0.09)$ % for $^{96}$Zr. These are larger than obtained in previous studies, implying that the detection of the $β$-decay branches could be possible in dedicated experiments sometime in the (near) future.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2019

The gallium anomaly revisited

The gallium anomaly, i.e. the missing electron-neutrino flux from $^{37}$Ar and $^{51}$Cr electron-capture decays as measured by the GALLEX and SAGE solar-neutrino detectors, has been among us already for about two decades. We present here a new estimate of the significance of this anomaly based on cross-section calculations using nuclear shell-model wave functions obtained by exploiting recently developed two-nucleon interactions. The gallium anomaly of the GALLEX and SAGE experiments is found to be smaller than that obtained in previous evaluations, decreasing the significance from 3.0$σ$ to 2.3$σ$. This result is compatible with the recent indication in favor of short-baseline $\barν_{e}$ disappearance due to small active-sterile neutrino mixing obtained from the combined analysis of the data of the NEOS and DANSS reactor experiments.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2018

First-forbidden transitions in the reactor anomaly

We study the dominant forbidden transitions in the antineutrino spectra of the fission actinides from 4 MeV onward using the nuclear shell model. Through explicit calculation of the shape factor, taking into account Coulomb corrections, we show the expected changes on cumulative electron and antineutrino spectra. Compared to the usual allowed approximation this results in a minor decrease of electron spectra from 4 MeV and onward, whereas an increase of several percent is observed in antineutrino spectra. We show that, despite their limited number, forbidden transitions dominate the spectral flux for most of the experimentally accessible range. Based on the shell model calculations we attempt a parametrization of forbidden transitions and propose a spectral correction for all forbidden transitions. We enforce correspondence with the ILL dataset using a summation+conversion approach. When compared against modern reactor neutrino experiments, the resultant spectral change is observed to be of comparable magnitude and shape as the reported spectral shoulder, drastically decreasing the statistical significance of the latter.

nucl-th↗