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N. Michel

Publications and source records attributed to N. Michel.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2023

Ab initio descriptions of $A=16$ mirror nuclei with resonance and continuum coupling

We have used an {\it ab initio} Gamow shell model to study the isospin symmetry breaking in the $A=16$ mirror nuclei of $^{16}$F, $^{16}$N, $^{16}$Ne and $^{16}$C. Starting from a chiral interaction with two-nucleon force (2NF) at N$^3$LO and three-nucleon force (3NF) at N$^2$LO, a complex-momentum ${\it psd}$-shell Hamiltonian was constructed by employing the many-body perturbation theory in the Gamow Hartree-Fock basis which includes bound, resonant and continuum states self-consistently. Such an elaborated {\it ab initio} Gamow shell model with both continuum coupling and 3NF included can properly treat the many-body correlations of weakly bound and unbound nuclei. The mirror partners of $^{16}$F and $^{16}$N exhibit different level orders in their excitation spectra, which can be well explained by the inclusion of 3NF in the calculation. The isospin asymmetry between the mirror partners $^{16}$Ne and $^{16}$C was studied in detail by insight into their configuration structures. The interplay between 3NF and the continuum coupling is discussed in the weakly bound and unbound nuclear states.

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arXiv2023

Description of the proton-decaying 0$^+_2$ resonance of the $α$ particle

The recent precise experimental determination of the monopole transition form factor from the ground state of $^4$He to its $0^+_2$ resonance via electron scattering has reinvigorated discussions about the nature of this first excited state of the $α$ particle. The $0^+_2$ state has been traditionally interpreted in the literature as the isoscalar monopole resonance (breathing mode) or, alternatively, as a particle-hole shell-model excitation. To better understand the nature of this state, which lies only $\sim$ 410 keV above the proton emission threshold, we employ the coupled-channel representation of the no-core Gamow shell model. By considering the $[^3$H$ + p]$, $[^3$He$ + n]$, and $[^2$H+$^2$H] reaction channels, we explain the excitation energy and monopole form-factor of the $0^+_2$ state. We argue that the continuum coupling strongly impacts the nature of this state, which carries characteristics of the proton decay threshold.

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arXiv2023

Strong evidence for 9N and the limits of existence of atomic nuclei

The boundaries of the Chart of Nuclides contain exotic isotopes that possess extreme proton-toneutron asymmetries. Here we report on strong evidence of 9N, one of the most exotic proton-rich isotopes where more than one half of its constitute nucleons are unbound. With seven protons and two neutrons, this extremely proton-rich system would represent the first-known example of a ground-state five-proton emitter. The invariant-mass spectrum of its decay products can be fit with two peaks whose energies are consistent with the theoretical predictions of an open-quantum-system approach, however we cannot rule out the possibility that only a single resonance-like peak is present in the spectrum.

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arXiv2023

Complex valence-space effective operators for observables: the Gamow-Teller transition

Nuclei in the vicinity of driplines have been receiving a lot of attention in nuclear structure studies. In the nuclei, the continuum coupling is crucial in reproducing weakly-bound and unbound phenomena. To calculate observables of the nuclei as open quantum systems, we have developed valence-space effective operators in the complex-energy Berggren basis using many-body perturbation theory. We focus on the Gamow-Teller $β$ decay in the {\it sd} shell. The two- plus three-nucleon force from the chiral effective field theory (EFT), named EM1.8/2.0, has been used. The Gamow shell model which takes the continuum coupling into account can properly reproduce experimental observations of weakly-bound and unbound states. The $β$-decay isospin asymmetry between the dripline nucleus $^{22}\rm Si$ and its mirror partner $^{22}\rm O$ is reproduced, in which the $s_{1/2}$ continuum plays a key role. Significant Thomas-Ehrman shift is seen through mirror energy differences between the mirror daughters $^{22}\rm Al$ and $^{22}\rm F$, in which the continuum effect plays an important role.

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arXiv2023

Gamow shell model description of the radiative capture reaction $^8$Li$(n,γ)$$^9$Li

The $^8$Li$(n,γ)$$^9$Li reaction plays a critical role in several reaction chains leading to the nucleosynthesis of $A>12$ nuclei. Due to unstable nature of $^8$Li and the unavailability of neutron targets, direct measurements of this reaction are exceedingly difficult. Only upper limits of this cross section, provided by the indirect experiments, have been obtained so far. In this work, we use the Gamow shell model (GSM) in the coupled-channel representation (GSM-CC) to study the properties of $^9$Li and the radiative capture reaction $^8$Li$(n,γ)$$^9$Li. In GSM-CC calculations, a translationally invariant Hamiltonian is used with a finite-range two-body interaction tuned to reproduce the low-energy spectra of $^{8-9}$Li. In the calculation of $^8$Li$(n,γ)$$^9$Li cross section, all relevant E1, M1, and E2 transitions from the initial continuum states to the final bound states ${3/2}_1^-$, ${1/2}_1^-$ and the resonance ${5/2}_1^-$ of $^9$Li are included. The GSM-CC approach reproduces the experimental low-energy spectrum, neutron emission threshold, and spectroscopic factors in $^9$Li. The calculated reaction rate is consistent with the experimental upper limit of the reaction rate obtained in the indirect measurements at stellar energies. The GSM-CC calculations suggest that the $^8$Li$(n,γ)$$^9$Li reaction can reduce heavy-element production via the main chain $^7$Li($n,γ$)$^8$Li($α,n$)$^{11}$B($n,γ$)$^{12}$B($β^+$)$^{12}$C. Major contribution to the calculated cross section is given by the direct E1 transition to the ground state of $^8$Li. The contribution of excited states to the reaction rate does not exceed $\sim$18% of the total reaction rate.

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arXiv2023

Gamow shell model description of the radiative capture reaction $^8$B$(p,γ)$$^9$C

In low metallicity supermassive stars, the hot $pp$ chain can serve as an alternative way to produce the CNO nuclei. In the astrophysical environment of high temperature, the proton capture of $^8$B can be faster than its beta decay, thus $^8$B$(p,γ)$$^9$C reaction plays an important role in the hot $pp$ chain. Due to the unstable nature of $^8$B and the lack of the $^8$B beam, the measurement of $^8$B$(p,γ)$$^9$C reaction can only be achieved by the indirect method, and large uncertainties exist. The Gamow shell model in the coupled-channel representation (GSM-CC) is applied to study the proton radiative capture reaction $^8$B$(p,γ)$$^9$C. For the calculation of the $^8$B$(p,γ)$$^9$C astrophysical factors, all E1, M1, and E2 transitions from the initial continuum states to the final bound states ${3/2}_1^-$of $^9$C are considered. The resonant capture to the first resonant state ${1/2}_1^-$ of $^{9}$C is also calculated. The experimental low-energy levels and the proton emission threshold in $^9$C are reproduced by the GSM-CC. The calculated astrophysical factors agrees with the existed experimental data from the indirect measurements. The reaction rates from the direct capture and resonant capture are calculated for the temperature range of astrophysical interest. The calculated total astrophysical $S$ factor is dominated by the E1 transition to the ground state of $^9$C. The GSM-CC calculations suggest that $S$ first increase with the energy of the center of mass $E_{\rm c.m.}$, and then decrease with the energy. This agrees with the existing data, which has smaller values at around zero energy and larger value in the energy range of 0.2 MeV $\leq E_{\rm c.m.} \leq$ 0.6 MeV.

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arXiv2023

Investigation of unbound hydrogen isotopes with the Gamow shell model

Although they are part of the lightest nuclei, the hydrogen isotopes are not well understood both experimentally and theoretically. Indeed, besides deuteron and triton, all known hydrogen isotopes are resonances of complex structure. Even more elusive is 7H, which may have been observed experimentally and has been claimed to be a narrow resonance. Nevertheless, even its existence is controversial, and its theoretical study is difficult due to both its unbound character and large number of interacting valence nucleons. It is then the object of this paper to theoretically study the hydrogen isotopes {4-7}H with the Gamow shell model, which is, up to our knowledge, the first direct calculation of unbound resonance hydrogen isotopes up to 7H. As the Gamow shell model includes both continuum coupling and inter-nucleon correlations, useful information can be obtained about poorly known unbound hydrogen isotopes. Our present calculations indicate that {4,6}H ground states are fairly broad resonances, whereas those of {5,7}H are narrow, which is in accordance with current experimental data. The results then suggest that, in particular, {5,7}H should be more heavily studied, as they might well be among the most narrow neutron resonances of the light nuclear chart.

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arXiv2023

Investigation of isospin-symmetry-breaking in mirror energy difference and nuclear mass with ab initio calculations

Isospin-symmetry breaking is responsible for the energy difference of excited states in mirror nuclei. It also influences the coefficient of the isobaric multiplet mass equation. In the present work, we extensively investigate isospin-symmetry breaking in medium mass nuclei within ab initio frameworks. For this, we employ the ab initio valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group approach, in which charge-symmetry and charge-independence breakings are included in the adopted nuclear force. The mirror energies of sd- and pf- shell nuclei are computed for that matter. The effects of single-particle states on weakly bound and unbound nuclear states, especially those of the s-wave, are discussed. Predictions are also made concerning proton drip-line nuclei bearing large mirror energy difference. Finally, the coefficient of the isobaric multiplet mass equation in T = 1/2 and T = 1 isospin multiplets for A = 18 to A = 76 is calculated.

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arXiv2023

Investigation of spectroscopic factors of deeply-bound nucleons in drip-line nuclei with the Gamow shell model

Spectroscopic factors involving well bound nucleons in light nuclei are calculated with standard shell model, no-core shell model and Gamow shell model. Continuum coupling is included exactly in the Gamow shell model, due to the use of the Berggren basis, which contains bound, resonance and scattering states. Conversely, it is absent from standard and no-core shell models, where a basis of harmonic oscillator states is used. As the A - 1 nuclei for which spectroscopic factors are calculated are either weakly bound or unbound, coupling to continuum is prominent, even though the A nuclei are well bound. It is then showed that Gamow shell model can properly reproduce experimental data and is a predictive tool for detailed nuclear structure at drip-line, contrary to standard and no-core shell model.

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arXiv2023

Gamow Shell Model description of ${ { }^{ 40 } }$Ca(d,p) transfer reaction

Transfer reactions are essential to determine spectroscopic factors and astrophysical reaction rates. However, their theoretical evaluation is typically effected using standard reaction theory, from which structure degrees of freedom are absent. While reaction cross sections have been implemented in the frame of the no-core shell model with continuum, this model can be applied in practice only to the lightest nuclei. The use of the core + valence nucleon picture is then necessary to include inter-nucleon correlations in reaction cross sections involving medium nuclei. For this, we will use the recently developed coupled-channel Gamow Shell Model (GSM-CC) for direct reactions and extend it to the evaluation of transfer cross sections. As an example, we will study the ${ { }^{ 40 } }$Ca(d,p) transfer reaction with GSM-CC. Experimental data can be successfully reproduced, but at the price of the use of a very phenomenological Hamiltonian.

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arXiv2022

Calculation of the Thomas-Ehrman shift in $^{16}$F and $^{15}$O(p,p) cross section with the Gamow shell model

The $^{16}$F nucleus is situated at the proton drip-line and is unbound by proton emission by only about 500 keV. Continuum coupling is then prominent in this nucleus. Added to that, its low-lying spectrum consists of narrow proton resonances as well. It is then a very good candidate to study nuclear structure and reactions at proton drip-line. The low-lying spectrum and scattering proton-proton cross section of $^{16}$F have then been calculated with the coupled-channel Gamow shell model framework for that matter using an effective Hamiltonian. Experimental data are very well reproduced, as well as in its mirror nucleus $^{16}$N. Isospin-symmetry breaking generated by the Coulomb interaction and continuum coupling explicitly appears in our calculations. In particular, the different continuum couplings in $^{16}$F and $^{16}$N involving $s_{1/2}$ partial waves allow to explain the different ordering of low-lying states in their spectrum.

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arXiv2022

One-neutron halo structure of $^{29}$Ne

We have applied the Gamow shell model to calculate nuclear observables of $^{26-31}$Ne isotopes pertaining to one-neutron halo structure, these nuclei being situated close to neutron drip-line. As both many-body correlations and continuum coupling are taken into account in that approach, halo structure can be analyzed properly. Our calculations provide good descriptions of $^{26-31}$Ne, where asymptotic behavior is crucial for that matter. One-body density, neutron root-mean-square radii of $^{26-31}$Ne, and one-neutron overlap functions of $^{29,31}$Ne have been calculated as well. Our results support the presence of a one-neutron \textit{p}-wave halo in $^{31}$Ne, already pointed out experimentally. A similar situation also occurs in the ground state of $^{29}$Ne, which is mainly a \textit{p}-wave valence neutron coupled to the inner $^{28}$Ne \textit{core}. The $3/2^+$ excited state of $^{29}$Ne, which is dominated by a \textit{d}-wave valence neutron, has also been considered. A larger radius and more extended wave function occur for the ground state of $^{29}$Ne when compared to its $3/2^+$ first excited state. The present results suggest that $^{29}$Ne is a good candidate for one-neutron \textit{p}-wave halo in the medium-mass region.

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arXiv2021

Spectroscopic factors in dripline nuclei

Single-nucleon knockout reaction studies of the proton-dripline nuclei $^9$C and $^{13}$O suggest an appreciable suppression of spectroscopic factors. In this work, we calculate the one-neutron and one-proton spectroscopic factors for the mirror pair $^9$C-$^9$Li and $^{13}$O using two variants of the continuum shell model: the complex-energy Gamow Shell Model and the real-energy Shell Model Embedded in the Continuum. Our results indicate that the continuum effects strongly suppress the spectroscopic factors of well-bound orbits in the dripline systems, but have less impact on the spectroscopic factors of weakly-bound states.

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arXiv2021

Narrow resonances in the continuum of the unbound nucleus $^{15}$F

The structure of the unbound $^{15}$F nucleus is investigated using the inverse kinematics resonant scattering of a radioactive $^{14}$O beam impinging on a CH$_2$ target. The analysis of $^{1}$H($^{14}$O,p)$^{14}$O and $^{1}$H($^{14}$O,2p)$^{13}$N reactions allowed the confirmation of the previously observed narrow $1/2^{-}$ resonance, near the two-proton decay threshold, and the identification of two new narrow 5/2$^{-}$ and 3/2$^{-}$ resonances. The newly observed levels decay by 1p emission to the ground of $^{14}$O, and by sequential 2p emission to the ground state (g.s.) of $^{13}$N via the $1^-$ resonance of $^{14}$O. Gamow shell model (GSM) analysis of the experimental data suggests that the wave functions of the 5/2$^{-}$ and 3/2$^{-}$ resonances may be collectivized by the continuum coupling to nearby 2p- and 1p- decay channels. The observed excitation function $^{1}$H($^{14}$O,p)$^{14}$O and resonance spectrum in $^{15}$F are well reproduced in the unified framework of the GSM.

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arXiv2021

Resonances of $A=4$ $T=1$ isospin triplet states within the \textit{ab initio} no-core Gamow shell model

The $A=4$ nuclei, i.e., $^4$H, $^4$He and $^4$Li, establish an interesting isospin $T=1$ isobaric system. $^4$H and $^4$Li are unbound broad resonances, whereas $^4$He is deeply bound in its ground state but unbound in all its excited states. The present situation is that experiments so far have not given consistent data on the resonances. Few-body calculations have well studied the scatterings of the $4N$ systems. In the present work, we provide many-body calculations of the broad resonance structures, in an \textit{ab initio} framework with modern realistic interactions. It occurs that, indeed, $^4$H, $^4$Li and excited $^4$He are broad resonances, which is in accordance with experimental observations. The calculations also show that the first $1^-$ excited state almost degenerates with the $2^-$ ground state in the pair of mirror isobars of $^4$H and $^4$Li, which may suggest that the experimental data on energy and width are the mixture of the ground state and the first excited state. The $T = 1$ isospin triplet formed with an excited state of $^4$He and ground states of $^4$H and $^4$Li is studied, focusing on the effect of isospin symmetry breaking.

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arXiv2021

Revisiting the variational two-particle reduced density matrix for nuclear systems

In most nuclear many-body methods, observables are calculated using many-body wave functions explicitly. The variational two-particle reduced density matrix method is one of the few exceptions to the rule. Ground-state energies of both closed-shell and open-shell nuclear systems can indeed be evaluated by minimizing a constrained linear functional of the two-particle reduced density matrix. However, it has virtually never been used in nuclear theory, because nuclear ground states were found to be well overbound, contrary to those of atoms and molecules. Consequently, we introduced new constraints in the nuclear variational two-particle reduced density matrix method, developed recently for atomic and molecular systems. Our calculations then show that this approach can provide a proper description of nuclear systems where only valence neutrons are included. For the nuclear systems where both neutrons and protons are active, however, the energies obtained with the variational two-particle reduced density matrix method are still overbound. The possible reasons for the noticed discrepancies and solutions to this problem will be discussed.

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arXiv2021

Proton decays in $^{16}$Ne and $^{18}$Mg and isospin-symmetry breaking in carbon isotopes and isotones

Proton-rich nuclei possess unique properties in the nuclear chart. Due to the presence of both continuum coupling and Coulomb interaction, phenomena such as halos, Thomas-Ehrman shift, and proton emissions can occur. Experimental data are difficult to be obtained therein, so that theoretical calculations are needed to understand nuclei at drip-lines and guide experimentalists for that matter. In particular, the $^{16}$Ne and $^{18}$Mg isotopes are supposed to be one-proton and/or two-proton emitting nuclei, but associated experimental data are either incomplete or even unavailable. Consequently, we performed Gamow shell model calculations of carbon isotones bearing $A=15\text{-}18$. Isospin-symmetry breaking occurring in carbon isotones and isotopes is also discussed. It is hereby shown that the mixed effects of continuum coupling and Coulomb interaction at drip-lines generate complex patterns in isospin multiplets. Added to that, it is possible to determine the one-proton and two-proton widths of $^{16}$Ne and $^{18}$Mg. Obtained decay patterns are in agreement with those obtained in previous experimental and theoretical works. Moreover, up to the knowledge of authors, this is the first theoretical calculation of binding energy and partial decay widths of $^{18}$Mg in a configuration interaction picture.

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