arXiv subjects

P. Jachimowicz

Publications and source records attributed to P. Jachimowicz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A Question of Shape: New Mechanism Governing Superheavy Nuclei Survival

We demonstrate that hot superheavy nuclei do not retain spherical shapes, as traditionally assumed, but instead equilibrate in deformed, often oblate or triaxial, configurations at finite excitation energy. This behavior arises from a mechanism analogous to the Jahn-Teller effect: spherical systems exhibit high single-particle degeneracy near the Fermi surface, causing their shell corrections to damp out significantly faster with temperature than those of deformed shapes. Using a finite-temperature framework, we reveal a thermally induced inversion of the potential-energy landscape in the Z = 118-120 region, where deformed minima become energetically favored at U = 30-50 MeV. This shape inversion fundamentally alters the competition between neutron evaporation and fission. We derive a deformation-dependent correction to the survival probability, revealing a systematic bias in estimates based on spherical ground-state properties. Our results identify a finite-temperature structural effect that calls for a revision of current models of superheavy-nucleus synthesis and decay.

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arXiv2025

Candidates for three-quasiparticle $K$-isomers in even-odd Fm-Cn nuclei

Following our study of possible $K$-isomers in odd-even Md-Rg nuclei, here we continue with searching for three-quasiparticle 1$\nu$2$\pi$ and 3$\nu$ isomer candidates in even-odd Fm - Cn nuclei. We use the same approach to calculate energies of different nuclear configurations using a microscopic-macroscopic model with the Woods-Saxon potential. We used two versions of pairing: quasi-particle BCS method and particle number projection formalism. The optimal deformations for both ground states and high-$K$ configurations are determined through a four-dimensional energy minimization process. We point out the most promising candidates for high-$K$ isomers and compare them, where possible, with existing experimental data.

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arXiv2023

Entropies, level-density parameters, and fission probabilities along the triaxially- and axially-symmetric fission paths in $^{296}$Lv

We employ a statistical approach to investigate the influence of axial asymmetry on the nuclear level density and entropy along the fission pathways of a superheavy nucleus, explicitly focusing on the $^{296}$Lv isotope. These pathways are determined within multidimensional deformation spaces. Our analysis reveals a significant impact of triaxiality on entropy. Additionally, suppressing shell effects can alter the fission scenario depending on the available excitation energy. We derive the deformation-dependent level density parameter, which plays a crucial role in estimating the survival probability of a superheavy nucleus. Furthermore, we utilize a set of master equations to obtain the time-dependent fission probabilities and calculate the ratio of decay probabilities for both axial and triaxial paths.

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arXiv2023

Candidates for three-quasiparticle $K$-isomers in odd-even Md-Rg nuclei

We performed a search for three-quasiparticle high-$K$ isomer candidates in odd-even Md - Rg nuclei by considering the lowest lying 1$\pi$2$\nu$ and 3$\pi$ excitations. Our approach involves calculating the energies of different nuclear configurations using a microscopic-macroscopic model with the Woods-Saxon potential. We explore three pairing scenarios: blocking, quasi-particle BCS method, and particle number projection formalism. The optimal deformations for both ground-states and high-$K$ configurations are determined through a four-dimensional energy minimization process. By analyzing the obtained excitation energies, we discuss the most promising candidates for high-$K$ isomers and compare them, where possible, with existing experimental data. We also discuss a possible isomer $\alpha$-decay hindrance using calculated $Q_{\alpha}$-hindrances.

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arXiv2023

Multi-step particle emission probabilities in superheavy nuclei at moderate excitation energies

The probabilities of $xn$-, $pxn$-, and $\alpha xn$-evaporation channels in excited superheavy nuclei were evaluated using the Monte Carlo method. The calculations utilized microscopically determined nuclear level densities and were compared with results obtained from the phenomenological Jackson formula. Effective temperatures derived from the microscopic approach were incorporated into the Jackson formula for different evaporation channels at low and moderate excitation energies. Additionally, an analytical formula was introduced to estimate the average kinetic energy of emitted particles in multi-step processes.

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arXiv2021

Energy dependent ratios of level-density parameters in superheavy nuclei

The nuclear level densities and level-density parameters in fissioning nuclei at their saddle points of fission barriers - $a_{f}$, as well as those for neutron - $a_{n}$, proton - $a_{p}$ , and $\alpha$-particle - $a_{\alpha}$ emission residues at the ground states are calculated for isotopic chains of superheavy nuclei with $Z$=112-120. The calculations are performed with the superfluid formalism using the single-particle energies obtained from the diagonalization of the deformed Woods-Saxon potential. Spectra were generated at global minima of the adiabatic potential energy surfaces, found by the multidimensional minimization method, and at the proper saddle points, found by the "immersion water flow" technique on multidimensional energy grids, with allowed the reflection and axial symmetry breaking. The influence of shell effects on the energy dependence of the ratios of level-density parameters corresponding to residues of the considered decay modes to those of neutron emission is studied. We have shown that, in contrast to the $a_{f}/a_{n}$ ratio, the $a_{p}/a_{n}$ and $a_{\alpha}/a_{n}$ ratios do not show characteristic maxima depending on the excitation energy of the compound nucleus being formed. In the case of alpha decay, we identified the collective enhancement caused by cluster degrees of freedom to play quite an important role. The energetic course of the variability of the level density parameters before reaching the asymptotic value, not taken into account so far, will be of great importance for the estimation of the probabilities of de-excitation cascades via light particles emission in competition with splitting and thus for the determination of the survival probabilities and finally for the total production cross-sections of superheavy nuclei in channels with their (light particles) participation.

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arXiv2021

First observation of high-$K$ isomeric states in $^{249}$Md and $^{251}$Md

Decay spectroscopy of the odd-proton nuclei $^{249}$Md and $^{251}$Md has been performed. High-$K$ isomeric states were identified for the first time in these two nuclei through the measurement of their electromagnetic decay. An isomeric state with a half-life of $2.8(5)$ ms and an excitation energy $\geq 910$ keV was found in $^{249}$Md. In $^{251}$Md, an isomeric state with a half-life of $1.4(3)$ s and an excitation energy $\geq 844$ keV was found. Similarly to the neighbouring $^{255}$Lr, these two isomeric states are interpreted as 3 quasi-particle high-$K$ states and compared to new theoretical calculations. Excited nuclear configurations were calculated within two scenarios: via blocking nuclear states located in proximity to the Fermi surface or/and using the quasiparticle Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer method. Relevant states were selected on the basis of the microscopic-macroscopic model with a deformed Woods-Saxon potential. The most probable candidates for the configurations of $K$-isomeric states in Md nuclei are proposed.

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arXiv2021

The decline rate of the production cross-section of superheavy nuclei with $Z=114-117$ at high excitation energies

The production cross sections of superheavy nuclei with charge numbers $114-117$ are predicted in the $(5-9)n$-evaporation channels of the $^{48}$Ca-induced complete fusion reactions for future experiments. The estimates of synthesis capabilities are based on a uniform and consistent set of input nuclear data provided by the multidimensional macroscopic-microscopic approach. The contributions of various factors to the final production cross section are discussed. As shown, the specific interplay between survival and fusion probabilities unexpectedly leads to a relatively slow decline of the total cross-sections with increasing excitation energy. This effect is supported by a favorable arrangement of fission barriers protecting the compound nucleus against splitting concerning energetic thresholds for the emission of successive neutrons. In particular, the probabilities of the formation of superheavy nuclei in the $5n$-, $6n$-, and in some cases even in $7n$-evaporation channels are still promising. This may offer a new opportunity for the future synthesis of unknown neutron-deficient superheavy isotopes.

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arXiv2020

Properties of heaviest nuclei with $98\leq Z \leq 126$ and $134 \leq N \leq 192$

We systematically determine ground-state and saddle-point shapes and masses for 1305 heavy and superheavy nuclei with $Z=98-126$ and $N=134-192$, including odd-$A$ and odd-odd systems. From these, we derive static fission barrier heights, one- and two-nucleon separation energies, and $Q_\alpha$ values for g.s. to g.s transitions. Our study is performed within the microscopic-macroscopic method with the deformed Woods-Saxon single-particle potential and the Yukawa-plus-exponential macroscopic energy taken as the smooth part. We use parameters of the model that were fitted previously to masses of even-even heavy nuclei. For systems with odd numbers of protons, neutrons, or both, we use a standard BCS method with blocking. Ground-state shapes and energies are found by the minimization over seven axially-symmetric deformations. A search for saddle-points was performed by using the "imaginary water flow" method in three consecutive stages, using five- (for nonaxial shapes) and seven-dimensional (for reflection-asymmetric shapes) deformation spaces. The results are collected in two main tables. Calculated ground-state mass excess, nucleon separation- and $Q_\alpha$ energies, total, macroscopic(normalized to the macroscopic energy at the spherical shape) and shell corrections energies, and deformations are given for each nucleus in \mbox{Table 1}. \mbox{Table 2} contains calculated properties of the saddle-point configurations and the fission barrier heights. In \mbox{Tables 3-7}, are given calculated ground-state, inner and outer saddle-point and superdeformed secondary minima characteristics for 75 actinide nuclei, from Ac to Cf, for which experimental estimates of fission barrier heights are known. These results are an additional test of our model.

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arXiv2020

Possibilities of direct production of superheavy nuclei with Z=112--118 in different evaporation channels

The production cross sections of heaviest isotopes of superheavy nuclei with charge numbers 112--118 are predicted in the $xn$--, $pxn$--, and $αxn$--evaporation channels of the $^{48}$Ca-induced complete fusion reactions for future experiments. The estimates of synthesis capabilities are based on a uniform and consistent set of input nuclear data. Nuclear masses, deformations, shell corrections, fission barriers, and decay energies are calculated within the macroscopic-microscopic approach for even-even, odd-Z, and odd-N nuclei. For odd systems, the blocking procedure is used. To find, the ground states via minimization and saddle points using Immersion Water flow technique, multidimensional deformation spaces, containing non-axially are used. As shown, current calculations based on a new set of mass and barriers, agree very well with experimentally known cross-sections, especially in the $3n$--evaporation channel. The dependencies of these predictions on the mass/fission barriers tables and fusion models are discussed. A way is shown to produce directly unknown superheavy isotopes in the $1n$-- or $2n$--evaporation channels. The synthesis of new superheavy isotopes unattainable in reactions with emission of neutrons is proposed in the promising channels with emission of protons ($σ_{pxn} \simeq 10-200$ fb) and alphas ($σ_{αxn} \simeq 5-500$ fb).

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arXiv2020

Sizes and shapes of very heavy nuclei in high-K states

We have investigated shapes and sizes of selected two- and four-quasiparticle \mbox{high-$K$} states in nobelium and rutherfordium isotopes within the microscopic-macroscopic model with the deformed Woods-Saxon potential. Excited nuclear configurations were obtained by blocking single-particle states lying close to the Fermi level. Their energies and deformations were found by the four-dimensional energy minimization over shape variables. We have selected the most promising candidates for \mbox{$K$-isomers} by analyzing the isotopic dependence of excitation energies, and compared our results to available experimental data. We calculated differences in quadrupole moments and charge radii between nuclei in their \mbox{high-$K$} and ground states and found their quite different pattern for four-quasiparticle states in neighboring No and Rf isotopes. The leading role of the quadrupole and hexadecapole deformations as well as the importance of higher rank symmetries are also discussed. The current development of laser techniques and the resulting ability to measure discussed effects in the near future is the motivation of our study.

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arXiv2020

Level-density parameters in superheavy nuclei

We systematically study the nuclear level densities of superheavy nuclei, including odd systems, using the single-particle energies obtained with the Woods-Saxon potential diagonalization. Minimization over many deformation parameters for the global minima - ground states and the "imaginary water flow" technique on many deformation energy grids for the saddle points, including nonaxial shapes has been applied. The level density parameters are calculated by fitting the obtained results with the standard Fermi gas expression. The total potential energy and shell correction dependencies of the level-density parameter are analyzed and compared at the ground state and saddle point. These parameters are compared with the results of the phenomenological expression. As shown, this expression should be modified for the saddle points, especially for small excitation energy. The ratio of the level-density parameter at the saddle point to that at the ground state is shown to be crucial for the survival probability of the heavy nucleus.

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arXiv2019

Static fission properties of actinide nuclei

Fission barriers heights and excitation energies of superdeformed isomeric minima are calculated within the microscopic - macroscopic Woods - Saxon model for 75 actinide nuclei for which the experimental data are known. State - of - the - art methods were used: minimization over many deformation parameters for minima and the imaginary water flow on many - deformation energy grid for saddles, including nonaxial and reflection-asymmetric shapes. We obtain 0.82 - 0.94 MeV rms deviation between the calculated and experimental barriers and 0.53 MeV rms error in the excitation of superdeformed minima (SD). Experimental vs theory discrepancies seem to be of various nature and not easy to eliminate, especially if one cares for more than one or two observables. As an example, we show that by strengthening pairing in odd systems one can partially improve agreement in barriers, while spoiling it for masses. We also discuss the "thorium anomaly" and suggest its possible relation to a different way in which the Ac and Th barriers are derived from experimental data.

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arXiv2018

Hindered alpha decays of heaviest high-K isomers

To find candidates for long-lived high-K isomers in even-even Z=106-112 superheavy nuclei we study dominant alpha-decay channel of two- and four-quasi-particle configurations at a low excitation. Energies are calculated within the microscopic - macroscopic approach with the deformed Woods-Saxon potential. Configurations are fixed by a standard blocking procedure and their energy found by a subsequent minimization over deformations. Different excitation energies of a high-K configuration in parent and daughter nucleus seem particularly important for a hindrance of the alpha-decay. A strong hindrance is found for some four-quasi-particle states, particularly $K^π = 20^{+}$ and/or $19^{+}$ states in $^{264-270}$Ds. Contrary to what was suggested in experimental papers, it is rather a proton configuration that leads to this strong hindrance. If not shortened by the electromagnetic decay, alpha half-lives of $\sim$ 1 s could open new possibilities for studies of chemical/atomic properties of related elements.

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arXiv2017

Effect of tetrahedral shapes in heavy and superheavy nuclei

We search for effects of tetrahedral deformation $β_{32}$ over a range of $\sim 3000$ heavy and superheavy nuclei, $82\leq Z \leq 126$, using a microscopic-macroscopic model based on the deformed Woods-Saxon potential, well tested in the region. We look for the energy minima with a non-zero tetrahedral distortion, both absolute and conditional - with the quadrupole distortion constrained to zero. In order to assure reliability of our results we include 10 most important deformation parameters in the energy minimization. We could not find any cases of stable tetrahedral shapes. The only sizable - up to 0.7 MeV - lowering of the ground state occurs in superheavy nuclei $Z\geq 120$ for $N=173-188$, as a result of a {\it combined} action of two octupole deformations: $β_{32}$ and $β_{30}$, in the ratio $β_{32}/β_{30}\approx \sqrt{3/5}$. The resulting shapes are moderately oblate, with the superimposed distortion $β_{33}$ {\it with respect to the oblate axis}, which makes the equator of the oblate spheroid slightly triangular. Almost all found conditional minima are excited and not protected by any barrier, a handful of them are degenerate with the axial minima.

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arXiv2016

Adiabatic fission barriers in superheavy nuclei

Using the microscopic-macroscopic model based on the deformed Woods-Saxon single-particle potential and the Yukawa-plus-exponential macroscopic energy we calculated static fission barriers $B_{f}$ for 1305 heavy and superheavy nuclei $98\leq Z \leq 126$, including even - even, odd - even, even - odd and odd - odd systems. For odd and odd-odd nuclei, adiabatic potential energy surfaces were calculated by a minimization over configurations with one blocked neutron or/and proton on a level from the 10-th below to the 10-th above the Fermi level. The parameters of the model that have been fixed previously by a fit to masses of even-even heavy nuclei were kept unchanged. A search for saddle points has been performed by the "Imaginary Water Flow" method on a basic five-dimensional deformation grid, including triaxiality. Two auxiliary grids were used for checking the effects of the mass asymmetry and hexadecapole non-axiallity. The ground states were found by energy minimization over configurations and deformations. We find that the non-axiallity significantly changes first and second fission barrier in many nuclei. The effect of the mass - asymmetry, known to lower the second, very deformed barriers in actinides, in the heaviest nuclei appears at the less deformed saddles in more than 100 nuclei. It happens for those saddles in which the triaxiallity does not play any role, what suggests a decoupling between effects of the mass-asymmetry and triaxiality. We studied also the influence of the pairing interaction strength on the staggering of $B_f$ for odd- and even-particle numbers. Finally, we provide a comparison of our results with other theoretical fission barrier evaluations and with available experimental estimates.

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arXiv2015

Candidates for Long Lived High-K Ground States in Superheavy Nuclei

On the basis of systematic calculations for 1364 heavy and superheavy nuclei, including odd-systems, we have found a few candidates for high-K ground states in superheavy nuclei. The macroscopic-microscopic model based on the deformed Woods-Saxon single particle potential which we use offers a reasonable description of SH systems, including known: nuclear masses, $Q_α$-values, fission barriers, ground state deformations, super- and hyper-deformed minima in the heaviest nuclei. %For odd and odd-odd systems, both ways of including pairing correlations, % blocking and the quasi-particle method, have been applied. Exceptionally untypical high-K intruder contents of the g.s. found for some nuclei accompanied by a sizable excitation of the parent configuration in daughter suggest a dramatic hindrance of the $α$-decay. Multidimensional hyper-cube configuration - constrained calculations of the Potential Energy Surfaces (PES's) for one especially promising candidate, $^{272}$ Mt, shows a $\backsimeq$ 6 MeV increase in the fission barrier above the configuration- unconstrained barrier. There is a possibility, that one such high-K ground- or low-lying state may be the longest lived superheavy isotope.

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arXiv2014

Q-alpha values in superheavy nuclei from the deformed Woods-Saxon model

Masses of superheavy (SH) nuclei with $Z=98-128$, including odd and odd-odd nuclei, are systematically calculated within the microscopic-macroscopic model based on the deformed Woods-Saxon potential. Ground states are found by minimizing energy over deformations and configurations. Pairing in odd particle-number systems is treated either by blocking or by adding the BCS energy of the odd quasiparticle. Three new parameters are introduced which may be interpreted as the constant mean pairing energies for even-odd, odd-even and odd-odd nuclei. They are adjusted by a fit to masses of heavy nuclei. Other parameters of the model, fixed previously by fitting masses of even-even heavy nuclei, are kept unchanged. With this adjustment, the masses of SH nuclei are predicted and then used to calculate $α$-decay energies to be compared to known measured values. It turns out that the agreement between calculated $Q_α$ values with data in SH nuclei is better than in the region of the mass fit. The model overestimates $Q_α$ for $Z=111-113$. Ground state (g.s.) configurations in some SH nuclei hint to a possible $α$-decay hindrance. The calculated configuration-preserving transition energies show that in some cases this might explain discrepancies, but more data is needed to explain the situation.

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