arXiv subjects

V. O. Nesterenko

Publications and source records attributed to V. O. Nesterenko.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Microscopic analysis of M1 scissors mode in $^{254}$No

The low-energy $M1$ orbital scissors mode (SM) was recently observed by Oslo group in deformed nucleus $^{254}$No. This is the heaviest nucleus where SM was ever experimentally found. We propose the analysis of SM, together with the spin-flip $M1$ resonance, within fully self-consistent Quasiparticle Random-Phase Approximation (QRPA) with Skyrme forces SG2, SLy4 and SLy5. The impact of "tensor" $J^2$-term, introduced by perturbative (on the base of SG2) and consistent (SLy5) ways, is analyzed and shown to be noticeable but not decisive. The deformation-induced coupling of $M1$ and $E2$ states is inspected. The calculations reasonably describe Oslo's experimental data. The best agreement is obtained for SLy5. A fine structure of SM in $^{254}$No is predicted. A significant constructive interference of the dominant orbital and minor spin-flip contributions to $M1$ strength at SM energy region is found. What is remarkable, our analysis of distributions of the convective nuclear currents challenges the scissors-like flow usually assumed for SM.

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arXiv2026

Photonuclear reactions on stable isotopes of cadmium and tellurium at bremsstrahlung end-point energies of 10-23 MeV

This work used the γ-activation approach to conduct tests at bremsstrahlung end-point energies of 10-23 MeV utilising the MT-25 microtron beam. The experimental values of relative yields and cross sections per equivalent quantum of photonuclear reactions on stable isotopes of cadmium and tellurium were compared to theoretical calculations obtained from TALYS-2.0 using the default parameters and a combined model of photonucleon reactions (CMPR). The inclusion of isospin splitting in the combined model of photonucleon reactions allows for the description of experimental data on proton escape reactions with energies ranging from 17 to 23 MeV. As a result, isospin splitting must be taken into consideration in order to accurately describe the decay of the giant dipole resonance. For Cd isotopes, essential discrepancies of yet unclear origin between theory (TALYS 2.0 and CMPR) and experimental data are found in the neutron channel.

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arXiv2025

Study of $0^+$ and $8^-$ states in even-even $^{250-260}$No isotopes

Low-lying $K^π=0^+$ and isomeric $8^-$ states in even-even isotopes $^{250-260}$No are explored within the Quasiparticle Random-Phase Approximation (QRPA) method with Skyrme parametrization SLy4. The deformations, single-particle (s-p) spectra and pairing in the isotopes are inspected. The calculations predict a pronounced minimum in the neutron pairing at $A$=252, 254, which significantly affects the properties of $0^+$ and $8^-$ states and leads to a correlation of their spectra. It is shown that $8^-$ isomers are basically low-energy two-quasiparticle (2qp) states. The appearance or absence of these isomers in $^{250-260}$No is explained as a combined effect of the s-p spectra and pairing. The collective $0^+$ states are predicted in all the isotopes as the lowest multipole non-rotational excitations. These states are interpreted as a superposition of pairing vibrations and $β$-vibrations. The results are in a reasonable agreement with available experimental data for $^{252,254}$No.

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arXiv2025

Wavelet analysis of monopole strength in highly deformed $^{24}$Mg

Experimental data on $α$-particle inelastic scattering for monopole excitations in $^{24}$Mg in the excitation-energy region $E_{\rm x}$$=$$9$$-$$25$ MeV, obtained at the iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences (iThemba LABS), have been analyzed within a fully self-consistent quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) framework using two Skyrme parametrizations. A good overall agreement with the experimental data is achieved, particularly with the SkP$^δ$ force, which corresponds to a low nuclear incompressibility of $K_{\infty}$$=$$202$ MeV. Extraction of energy scales, by means of wavelet analysis, characterizing the observed fine structure of the isoscalar giant monopole resonance (ISGMR) as well as the low-energy region $10$$-$$18$ MeV of the deformation-induced monopole-quadrupole coupling (MQC) in order to investigate the damping mechanism contributing to their decay widths. Characteristic energy scales are extracted from the fine structure using continuous wavelet transforms. The experimental results are compared to QRPA calculations employing the Skyrme parameterizations SkP$^δ$ and SVbas. A significant, if not decisive, impact of the MQC strength on the wavelet power spectra is observed across the entire excitation-energy range of $10$$-$$24$ MeV. Wavelet features derived from the QRPA and from unperturbed two-quasiparticle (2qp) monopole strengths are compared. The results demonstrate that the residual interaction plays a key role in reproducing realistic wavelet powers and characteristic energy scales. Overall, a continuous range of scales $δE$$=$$200$$-$$1000$ keV is obtained rather than distinct isolated scales. The deformation softness of $^{24}$Mg is found to significantly influence both the monopole strength distribution and the wavelet characteristics.

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arXiv2025

Low-energy spectra of nobelium isotopes: Skyrme random-phase-approximation analysis

Low-energy spectra in the isotopic chain $^{250-262}$No are systematically investigated within the fully self-consistent Quasiparticle Random-Phase-Approximation (QRPA) using Skyrme forces SLy4, SLy6, SkM* and SVbas. QRPA states of multipolarity $λμ$=20, 22, 30, 31, 32, 33, 43, 44 and 98 are considered. The main attention is paid to isotopes $^{252}$No and $^{254}$No where the most extensive experimental spectroscopic information is available. In these two nuclei, a reasonable description of $K^π=8^-, 2^-$and $3^+$ isomers is obtained with forces SLy4 and SLy6. The disputed $8^-$ isomer in $^{254}$No is assigned as neutron two-quasiparticle configuration $nn[734\uparrow,613\uparrow]$. The isomers are additionally analyzed using Skyrme functionals UNEDF1, UNEDF2 and UNEDF1$^{\rm SO}$. At the energies 1.2 - 1.4 MeV, the 2qp $K$-isomers $4^-, 7^-$ in $^{252}$No and $4^-, 6^-, 7^-$ in $^{254}$No are also predicted. In $^{254}$No, the $K^π=3^+$ isomer should be accompanied by the nearby $K^π=4^+$ counterpart. It is shown that, in the chain $^{250-262}$No, some features of $^{252}$No and $^{254}$No should exhibit essential irregularities caused by a noticeable shell gap in the neutron single-particle spectrum and corresponding reduction of the neutron pairing. In particular, low-energy pairing-vibrational $K^π=0^+$ states in $^{252,254}$No are predicted.

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arXiv2025

Skyrme RPA for spherical and axially symmetric nuclei

Random Phase Approximation (RPA) is the basic method for calculation of excited states of nuclei over the Hartree-Fock ground state, suitable also for energy density functionals (EDF or DFT). We developed a convenient formalism for expressing densities and currents in a form of reduced matrix elements, which allows fast calculation of spectra for spherical nuclei. All terms of Skyrme functional were taken into account, so it is possible to calculate electric, magnetic and vortical/toroidal/compression transitions and strength functions of any multipolarity. Time-odd (spin) terms in Skyrme functional become important for magnetic M1 and isovector toroidal E1 transitions. It was also found that transition currents in pygmy region (low-lying part of E1 resonance) exhibit isoscalar toroidal flow, so the previously assumed picture of neutron-skin vibration is not the only mechanism present in pygmy transitions. RPA calculations with heavy axially-symmetric nuclei now become feasible on ordinary PC. Detailed formulae for axial Skyrme RPA are given. Some numerical results are shown in comparison with the approximate approach of separable RPA, previously developed in our group for fast calculation of strength functions.

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arXiv2024

Candidate toroidal electric dipole mode in the spherical nucleus $^{58}$Ni

Dipole toroidal modes appear in many fields of physics. In nuclei, such a mode was predicted more than 50 years ago, but clear experimental evidence was lacking so far. Using a combination of high-resolution inelastic scattering experiments with photons, electrons and protons, we identify for the first time candidates for toroidal dipole excitations in the nucleus $^{58}$Ni and demonstrate that transverse electron scattering form factors represent a relevant experimental observable to prove their nature.

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arXiv2024

Moments of inertia in light deformed nuclei: pairing and mean-field impacts

The dependence of the moment of inertia $\cal J$ on the pairing and axial quadrupole deformation $β$ in $^{24}$Mg and $^{20}$Ne was investigated. The study is based on quadrupole-constrained calculations with three cranking approaches for $\cal J$ (Inglis-Belyaev, Thouless-Valatin, adiabatic time-dependent Hartree-Fock) and a representative set of Skyrme forces (SVbas, SkM*, SLy6). At variance with macroscopic collective models, the calculations predict the specific regime $d{\cal J}/dβ<0$ at $β\ge 0.5$ ($^{24}$Mg) and $β\ge 0.6$ ($^{20}$Ne), where the pairing breaks down. This regime is explained by two effects: full break up of the pairing and specific evolution of a {\it single} dominant particle-hole (1ph) configuration with $β$. The analysis of experimental data for the ground-state rotational bands in $^{24}$Mg and $^{20}$Ne shows that such regime is possible at low spins.

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arXiv2024

Microscopic analysis of dipole electric and magnetic strengths in $^{156}$Gd

The dipole electric ($E1$) and magnetic ($M1$) strengths in strongly deformed $^{156}$Gd are investigated within a fully self-consistent Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation (QRPA) with Skyrme forces SVbas, SLy6 and SG2. We inspect, on the same theoretical footing, low-lying dipole states and the isovector giant dipole resonance in $E1$ channel and the orbital scissors resonance as well as the spin-flip giant resonance (SFGR) in $M1$ channel. Besides, $E1$ toroidal mode and low-energy spin-flip $M1$ excitations are considered. The deformation splitting and dipole-octupole coupling of electric excitations are analyzed. The origin of SFGR gross structure, impact of the residual interaction and interference of orbital and spin contributions to SFGR are discussed. The effect of the central exchange $\textbf{J}^2$-term from the Skyrme functional is demonstrated. The calculations show a satisfactory agreement with available experimental data, except for the recent NRF measurements of M. Tamkas et al for $M1$ strength at 4-6 MeV, where, in contradiction with our calculations and previous $(p,p')$ data, almost no $M1$ strength was observed.

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arXiv2022

Low-energy M1 states in deformed nuclei: spin-scissors or spin-flip?

The low-energy $M1$ states in deformed $^{164}$Dy and spherical $^{58}$Ni are explored in the framework of fully self-consistent Quasiparticle Random-Phase Approximation (QRPA) with various Skyrme forces. The main attention is paid to orbital and spin $M1$ excitations. The obtained results are compared with the prediction of the low-energy {\it spin-scissors} $M1$ resonance suggested within Wigner Function Moments (WFM) approach. A possible relation of this resonance to low-energy spin-flip excitations is analyzed. In connection with recent WFM studies, we consider evolution of the low-energy spin-flip states in $^{164}$Dy with deformation (from the equilibrium value to the spherical limit). The effect of tensor forces is briefly discussed. It is shown that two groups of $1^+$ states observed at 2.4-4 MeV in $^{164}$Dy are rather explained by fragmentation of the orbital $M1$ strength than by the occurrence of the collective spin-scissors resonance. In general, our calculations do not confirm the existence of this resonance.

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arXiv2021

Isoscalar giant monopole resonance in $^{24}$Mg and $^{28}$Si: Effect of coupling between the isoscalar monopole and quadrupole strength

Background: In highly deformed nuclei, there is a noticeable coupling of the Isoscalar Giant Monopole Resonance (ISGMR) and the $K = 0$ component of the Isoscalar Giant Quadrupole Resonance (ISGQR), which results in a double peak structure of the isoscalar monopole (IS0) strength (a narrow low-energy deformation-induced peak and a main broad ISGMR part). The energy of the narrow low-lying IS0 peak is sensitive to both the incompressibility modulus $K_\infty$ and the coupling between IS0 and isoscalar quadrupole (IS2) strength. Objective: This study aims to investigate the two-peaked structure of the ISGMR in the prolate $^{24}$Mg and oblate $^{28}$Si nuclei and identify among a variety of energy density functionals based on Skyrme parameterisations the one which best describes the experimental data. This will allow for conclusions regarding the nuclear incompressibility. Because of the strong IS0/IS2 coupling, the deformation splitting of the ISGQR will also be analysed. Methods: The ISGMR was excited in $^{24}$Mg and $^{28}$Si using $α$-particle inelastic scattering measurements acquired with an $E_α= 196$ MeV beam at scattering angles $θ_{\text{Lab}} = 0^\circ$ and $4^\circ$. The K$600$ magnetic spectrometer at iThemba LABS was used to detect and momentum analyse the inelastically scattered $α$ particles. An experimental energy resolution of $\approx 70$ keV (FWHM) was attained, revealing fine structure in the excitation-energy region of the ISGMR. The IS0 strength distributions in the nuclei studied were obtained with the Difference-of-Spectrum (DoS) technique. The theoretical comparison is based on the quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) with a representative set of Skyrme forces.

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arXiv2021

Microscopic analysis of low-energy spin and orbital magnetic dipole excitations in deformed nuclei

A low-energy magnetic dipole $(M1)$ spin-scissors resonance (SSR) located just below the ordinary orbital scissors resonance (OSR) was recently predicted in deformed nuclei within the Wigner Function Moments (WFM) approach. We analyze this prediction using fully self-consistent Skyrme Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation (QRPA) method. Skyrme forces SkM*, SVbas and SG2 are implemented to explore SSR and OSR in $^{160,162,164}$Dy and $^{232}$Th. Accuracy of the method is justified by a good description of M1 spin-flip giant resonance. The calculations show that isotopes $^{160,162,164}$Dy indeed have at 1.5-2.4 MeV (below OSR) $I^πK=1^+1$ states with a large $M1$ spin strength ($K$ is the projection of the total nuclear moment to the symmetry z-axis). These states are almost fully exhausted by $pp[411\uparrow, 411\downarrow]$ and $nn[521\uparrow, 521\downarrow]$ spin-flip configurations corresponding to $pp[2d_{3/2}, 2d_{5/2}]$ and $nn[2f_{5/2}, 2f_{7/2}]$ structures in the spherical limit. So the predicted SSR is actually reduced to low-orbital (l=2,3) spin-flip states. Following our analysis and in contradiction with WFM spin-scissors picture, deformation is not the principle origin of the low-energy spin $M1$ states but only a factor affecting their features. The spin and orbital strengths are generally mixed and exhibit the interference: weak destructive in SSR range and strong constructive in OSR range. In $^{232}$Th, the $M1$ spin strength is found very small. Two groups of $I^π=1^+$ states observed experimentally at 2.4-4 MeV in $^{160,162,164}$Dy and at 2-4 MeV in $^{232}$Th are mainly explained by fragmentation of the orbital strength. Distributions of nuclear currents in QRPA states partly correspond to the isovector orbital-scissors flow but not to spin-scissors one.

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arXiv2021

Isoscalar monopole and dipole transitions in $^{24}$Mg, $^{26}$Mg and $^{28}$Si

Nuclei in the $sd$-shell demonstrate a remarkable interplay of cluster and mean-field phenomena. The $N=Z$ nuclei, such as $^{24}$Mg and $^{28}$Si, have been the focus of the theoretical study of both these phenomena in the past. The cluster and vortical mean-field phenomena can be probed by excitation of isoscalar monopole and dipole states in scattering of isoscalar particles such as deuterons or $α$ particles. Inelastically scattered $α$ particles were momentum-analysed in the K600 magnetic spectrometer at iThemba LABS, Cape Town, South Africa. The scattered particles were detected in two multi-wire drift chambers and two plastic scintillators placed at the focal plane of the K600. In the theoretical discussion, the QRPA and AMD+GCM were used. The QRPA calculations lead us to conclude that: i) the mean-field vorticity appears mainly in dipole states with $K=1$, ii) the dipole (monopole) states should have strong deformation-induced octupole (quadrupole) admixtures, and iii) that near the $α$-particle threshold, there should exist a collective state (with $K=0$ for prolate nuclei and $K=1$ for oblate nuclei) with an impressive octupole strength. The results of the AMD+GCM calculations suggest that some observed states may have a mixed (mean-field + cluster) character or correspond to particular cluster configurations. A tentative correspondence between observed states and theoretical states from QRPA and AMD+GCM was established. The QRPA and AMD+GCM analysis shows that low-energy isoscalar dipole states combine cluster and mean-field properties. The QRPA calculations show that the low-energy vorticity is well localized in $^{24}$Mg, fragmented in $^{26}$Mg, and absent in $^{28}$Si.

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arXiv2021

Fine Structure of the Isovector Giant Dipole Resonance in $^{142-150}$Nd and $^{152}$Sm

Background: Inelastic proton scattering at energies of a few hundred MeV and very-forward angles including $0^\circ$ has been established as a tool to study electric-dipole strength distributions in nuclei. The present work reports a systematic investigation of the chain of stable even-mass Nd isotopes representing a transition from spherical to quadrupole-deformed nuclei. Purpose: Extraction of the equivalent photo-absorption cross sections and analysis of their fine structure in the energy region of the IsoVector Giant Dipole Resonance (IVGDR). Method: Proton inelastic scattering reactions of 200 MeV protons were measured at iThemba LABS in Cape Town, South Africa. The scattering products were momentum-analysed by the K600 magnetic spectrometer positioned at $θ_{\mathrm{Lab}}=0^\circ$. Using dispersion-matching techniques, energy resolutions of $ΔE \approx 40 - 50$ keV were obtained. After subtraction of background and contributions from other multipoles, the spectra were converted to photo-absorption cross sections using the equivalent virtual-photon method. Results: Wavelet-analysis techniques are used to extract characteristic energy scales of the fine structure of the IVGDR from the experimental data. Comparisons with the Quasiparticle-Phonon Model (QPM) and Skyrme Separable Random Phase Approximation (SSRPA) predictions provide insight into the role of different giant resonance damping mechanisms. Conclusions: Fine structure is observed even for the most deformed nuclei studied. Fragmentation of the one particle-one hole ($1p1h$) strength seems to be the main source of fine structure in both spherical and deformed nuclei. Some impact of the spreading due to coupling of the two particle-two hole ($2p2h$) states to the $1p1h$ doorway states is seen in the spherical/transitional nuclei, where calculations beyond the $1p1h$ level are available.

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arXiv2019

Individual dipole toroidal states: main features and search in (e,e') reaction

Individual low-energy E1 toroidal and compressional states (TS and CS) produced by the convective nuclear current ${\bf j}_{\rm c}$ were recently predicted for $^{24}$Mg in the framework of quasiparticle random-phase-approximation (QRPA) with Skyrme forces. In the present QRPA study with Skyrme parametrization SLy6, we explore in more detail properties of these states (toroidal and compressional responses, current distributions, and transitions probabilities $B(E1K, 0^+0 \to 1^-K),\; B(E3K, 0^+0 \to 3^-K)$, $B(M2K, 0^+0 \to 2^-K)$ with $K=$0 and 1) and analyze the possibility to discriminate and identify TS in inelastic electron scattering to back angles. The interplay of the convective ${\bf j}_{\rm c}$ and magnetization ${\bf j}_{\rm m}$ nuclear currents is thoroughly scrutinized. A two-step scheme for identification of TS in $(e,e')$ reaction is proposed. The key element of the scheme is the strong interference of the orbital and spin contributions, resulting in specific features of E1 and M2 transversal form factors.

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arXiv2019

Systematics of toroidal dipole modes in Ca, Ni, Zr, and Sn isotopes

We analyze the relation between isoscalar toroidal modes and so-called pygmy dipole resonance (PDR) which both appear in the same region of low-energy dipole excitations. To this end, we use a theoretical description within the fully self-consistent Skyrme quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA). Test cases are spherical nuclei $^{40,48}$Ca, $^{58,72}$Ni, $^{90,100}$Zr, and $^{100,120,132}$Sn which cover four different elements and for each element at least two isotopes with different neutron excess, one small and another large. The structure of the modes is investigated in terms of strength functions, transition densities (TD) and transition currents (TC). For all considered nuclei, we see that, independently on whether PDR strength exists or not, the flow pattern in the lower part of the "PDR energy region" is basically the isoscalar vortical toroidal motion with a minor irrotational fraction. A one-to-one correspondence between calculated TD and TC can be established. The toroidal flow appears already in the uncoupled two-quasiparticle (2qp) excitations and becomes definitively strong for the QRPA modes. Altogether, we find that low-lying dipole strength often denoted as isoscalar PDR is actually an oversimplified imitation of the basically toroidal motion in nuclei with a sufficient neutron excess.

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arXiv2019

Elimination of spurious modes within QRPA

We suggest a generalized method for elimination of spurious admixtures (SA) from intrinsic nuclear excitations described within the Quasiparticle-Random-Phase-Approximation (QRPA). Various kinds of SA-corrections are treated at the same theoretical ground. The known corrections are well reproduced. As relevant cases, we consider subtraction of SA related with i) violation of the translational invariance (isovector E1 and isoscalar toroidal and compression E1 modes), ii) pairing-induced non-conservation of the particle number (E2(K=0) and E0 modes), and iii) rotational invariance (E2(K=1) and M1(K=1) modes). The SA subtraction can be done at the level of QRPA states, electromagnetic responses, and even transition operators. The additional deformation-induced corrections are proposed. The accuracy of the method is demonstrated by Skyrme QRPA calculations for axially-deformed $^{154}$Sm.

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arXiv2018

Individual low-energy E1 toroidal and compression states in light nuclei: deformation effect, spectroscopy and interpretation

The existence of individual low-energy E1 toroidal and compression states (TS and CS) in $^{24}$Mg was predicted recently in the framework of quasiparticle random-phase-approximation (QRPA) model with Skyrme forces. It was shown that the strong axial deformation of $^{24}$Mg is crucial to downshift the toroidal strength to the low-energy region and thus make the TS the lowest E1(K=1) dipole state. In this study, we explain this result by simple mean-field arguments. Comparing TS in two strongly axial nuclei, $^{24}$Mg and $^{20}$Ne, we show that the lowest TS is not not a universal phenomenon but rather a peculiarity of $^{24}$Mg. The spectroscopy of TS and CS is analyzed and some additional interpretation of these states is suggested.

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