arXiv subjects

W. Nazarewicz

Publications and source records attributed to W. Nazarewicz.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

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

In search of beyond mean-field signatures in heavy-ion fusion reactions

Examination of high-resolution, experimental fusion excitation functions for $^{16,17,18}$O + $^{12}$C reveals a remarkable irregular behavior that is rooted in the structure of both the colliding nuclei and the quasi-molecular composite system. The impact of the $\ell$-dependent fusion barriers is assessed using a time-dependent Hartree-Fock model. Barrier penetrabilities, taken directly from a density-constrained calculation, provide a significantly improved description of the experimental data as compared to the standard Hill-Wheeler approach. The remaining deviations between the parameter-free theoretical mean-field predictions and experimental fusion cross sections are exposed and discussed.

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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

Probing the Non-exponential Decay Regime in Open Quantum Systems

The most important law of radioactivity is that of the exponential decay. In the realm of quantum mechanics, however, this decay law is neither rigorous nor fundamental. The deviations from the exponential decay have been observed experimentally at the early stage of a decay process, but there is little evidence for non-exponential behavior at long times. Yet such long-term non-exponentiality is expected theoretically to probe the non-resonant background components of the initial wave function which preserve the structural interference and the memory of how the state was created. In this paper, we propose new observables that can be used for experimental investigations of the post-exponential decay regime, including the decay of threshold resonances, particle correlations in three-body decays, and interference between near-lying resonances. While the specific examples presented in this work pertain to atomic nuclei, the properties of non-exponential decay are generic, i.e., they apply to other many-body open quantum systems, such as hadrons, atoms, molecules, and nanostructures.

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arXiv2023

Hexadecapole strength in the rare isotopes $^{74,76}$Kr

In the Ge-Sr mass region, isotopes with neutron number $N \leq 40$ are known to feature rapid shape changes with both nucleon number and angular momentum. To gain new insights into their structure, inelastic proton scattering experiments in inverse kinematics were performed on the rare isotopes $^{74,76}$Kr. This work focuses on observables related to the $J^π = 4^+_1$ states of the Kr isotopes and, in particular, on the hexadecapole degree of freedom. By performing coupled-channels calculations, hexadecapole deformation parameters $β_4$ were determined for the $J^π = 4^+_1$ states of $^{74,76}$Kr from inelastic proton scattering cross sections. Two possible coupled-channels solutions were found. A comparison to predictions from nuclear energy density functional theory, employing both non-relativistic and relativistic functionals, clearly favors the large, positive $β_4$ solutions. These $β_4$ values are unambiguously linked to the well deformed prolate configuration. Given the $β_2 - β_4$ trend, established in this work, it appears that $β_4$ values could provide a sensitive measure of the nuclear shell structure.

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arXiv2023

Electric dipole polarizability of $^{40}$Ca

The electric dipole strength distribution in $^{40}$Ca between 5 and 25 MeV has been determined at RCNP, Osaka, from proton inelastic scattering experiments at very forward angles. Combined with total photoabsorption data at higher excitation energy, this enables an extraction of the electric dipole polarizability $α_\mathrm{D}$($^{40}$Ca) = 1.92(17) fm$^3$. Together with the measured $α_{\rm D}$ in $^{48}$Ca, it provides a stringent test of modern theoretical approaches, including coupled cluster calculations with chiral effective field theory interactions and state-of-the art energy density functionals. The emerging picture is that for this medium-mass region dipole polarizabilities are well described theoretically, with important constraints for the neutron skin in $^{48}$Ca and related equation of state quantities.

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arXiv2023

Pushing the Limits of the Periodic Table -- A Review on Atomic Relativistic Electronic Structure Theory and Calculations for the Superheavy Elements

We review the progress in atomic structure theory with a focus on superheavy elements and the aim to predict their ground state configuration and element's placement in the periodic table. To understand the electronic structure and correlations in the regime of large atomic numbers, it is important to correctly solve the Dirac equation in strong Coulomb fields, and also to take into account quantum electrodynamic effects. We specifically focus on the fundamental difficulties encountered when dealing with the many-particle Dirac equation. We further discuss the possibility for future many-electron atomic structure calculations going beyond the critical nuclear charge $Z_{\rm crit}\approx 170$, where levels such as the $1s$ shell dive into the negative energy continuum ($E_{nκ}<-m_ec^2$). The nature of the resulting Gamow states within a rigged Hilbert space formalism is highlighted.

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arXiv2022

Near-threshold resonances in 11C and the 10B(p,α)7Be aneutronic reaction cross section

The nucleus 11C plays an important role in the boron-proton fusion reactor environment as a catalyzer of the 10B(p,α)7Be reaction which, by producing a long-lived isotope of 7Be, poisons the aneutronic fusion process 11B(p,2α)4He. The low-energy cross section of 10B(p,α)7Be depends on the near-threshold states 7/2+1 , 5/2+2 , 5/2+3 in 11C whose properties are primarily known from the indirect measurements. We investigate the continuum-coupling induced collectivization of these resonances in the shell model embedded in the continuum. We predict a significant enhancement of the 10B(p,α)7Be cross section at energies accessible to the laser-driven hot plasma facilities.

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arXiv2022

Charge radii of $^{55,56}$Ni reveal a surprisingly similar behavior at $N=28$ in Ca and Ni isotopes

Nuclear charge radii of $^{55,56}$Ni were measured by collinear laser spectroscopy. The obtained information completes the behavior of the charge radii at the shell closure of the doubly magic nucleus $^{56}$Ni. The trend of charge radii across the shell closures in calcium and nickel is surprisingly similar despite the fact that the $^{56}$Ni core is supposed to be much softer than the $^{48}$Ca core. The very low magnetic moment $μ(^{55}\mathrm{Ni})=-1.108(20)\,μ_N$ indicates the impact of M1 excitations between spin-orbit partners across the $N,Z=28$ shell gaps. Our charge-radii results are compared to \textit{ab initio} and nuclear density functional theory calculations, showing good agreement within theoretical uncertainties.

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arXiv2022

$β^-{\rm p}$ and $β^-α$ decay of the $^{11}$Be neutron halo ground state

Beta-delayed proton emission from the neutron halo ground state of $^{11}$Be raised much attention due to the unusually high decay rate. It was argued that this may be due to the existence of a resonance just above the proton decay threshold. In this Letter, we use the lenses of real-energy continuum shell model to describe several observables including the Gamow-Teller rates for the $β^-$-delayed $α$ and proton decays, and argue that, within our model, the large $β^-{\rm p}$ branching ratio cannot be reconciled with other data.

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arXiv2022

Towards Precise and Accurate Calculations of Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay: Project Scoping Workshop Report

We present the results of a National Science Foundation (NSF) Project Scoping Workshop, the purpose of which was to assess the current status of calculations for the nuclear matrix elements governing neutrinoless double-beta decay and determine if more work on them is required. After reviewing important recent progress in the application of effective field theory, lattice quantum chromodynamics, and ab initio nuclear-structure theory to double-beta decay, we discuss the state of the art in nuclear-physics uncertainty quantification and then construct a road map for work in all these areas to fully complement the increasingly sensitive experiments in operation and under development. The road map contains specific projects in theoretical and computational physics as well as an uncertainty-quantification plan that employs Bayesian Model Mixing and an analysis of correlations between double-beta-decay rates and other observables. The goal of this program is a set of accurate and precise matrix elements, in all nuclei of interest to experimentalists, delivered together with carefully assessed uncertainties. Such calculations will allow crisp conclusions from the observation or non-observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay, no matter what new physics is at play.

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arXiv2021

Nuclear Charge Radii of the Nickel Isotopes $^{58-68,70}$Ni

Collinear laser spectroscopy is performed on the nickel isotopes $^{58-68,70}$Ni, using a time-resolved photon counting system. From the measured isotope shifts, nuclear charge radii $R_c$ are extracted and compared to theoretical results. Three ab initio approaches all employ, among others, the chiral interaction NNLO$_{\rm sat}$, which allows an assessment of their accuracy. We find agreement with experiment in differential radii $δ\left\langle r_\mathrm{c}^2 \right\rangle$ for all employed ab initio methods and interactions, while the absolute radii are consistent with data only for NNLO$_{\rm sat}$. Within nuclear density functional theory, the Skyrme functional SV-min matches experiment more closely than the Fayans functional Fy($Δr$,HFB).

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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

Lightweight self-conjugate nucleus $^{80}$Zr

Protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus move in shells analogous to the electronic shell structures of atoms. Nuclear shell structure varies across the nuclear landscape due to changes of the nuclear mean field with the number of neutrons $N$ and protons $Z$. These variations can be probed with mass differences. The $N=Z=40$ self-conjugate nucleus $^{80}$Zr is of particular interest as its proton and neutron shell structures are expected to be very similar, and its ground state is highly deformed. In this work, we provide evidence for the existence of a deformed double shell closure in $^{80}$Zr through high precision Penning trap mass measurements of $^{80-83}$Zr. Our new mass values show that $^{80}$Zr is significantly lighter, and thus more bound than previously determined. This can be attributed to the deformed shell closure at $N=Z=40$ and the large Wigner energy. Our statistical Bayesian model mixing analysis employing several global nuclear mass models demonstrates difficulties with reproducing the observed mass anomaly using current theory.

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arXiv2021

Nucleon-nucleon correlations in the extreme oxygen isotopes

There has been an upsurge of interest in two-nucleon decays thanks to the studies of nucleon-nucleon correlations. In our previous work, based on a novel time-dependent three-body approach, we demonstrated that the energy and angular correlations of the emitted nucleons can shed light on the structure of nucleonic pairs formed inside the nucleus. In this work, we apply the new framework to study the decay dynamics and properties of some extreme proton-rich and neutron-rich oxygen isotopes, including two-proton ($2p$) decays of $^{11,12}$O and two-neutron ($2n$) decay of $^{26}$O. Here we show that the low-$\ell$ components of $^{11,12}$O wave functions, which are affected by continuum and configuration-interaction effects, strongly impact decay dynamics and asymptotic correlations. In the calculated wave functions of $^{11,12}$O, diproton and cigarlike structures merge together during the tunneling process and the resulting energy- and angular correlations are very consistent with the experimental data. The asymptotic correlations of the $2n$ decay of $^{26}$O dramatically change as the two-neutron decay energy approaches the zero-energy threshold. The small reported value of $Q_{2n}$ suggests that the $2n$ decay of this nucleus can be understood in terms of the universal phase-space limit.

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arXiv2021

Get on the BAND Wagon: A Bayesian Framework for Quantifying Model Uncertainties in Nuclear Dynamics

We describe the Bayesian Analysis of Nuclear Dynamics (BAND) framework, a cyberinfrastructure that we are developing which will unify the treatment of nuclear models, experimental data, and associated uncertainties. We overview the statistical principles and nuclear-physics contexts underlying the BAND toolset, with an emphasis on Bayesian methodology's ability to leverage insight from multiple models. In order to facilitate understanding of these tools we provide a simple and accessible example of the BAND framework's application. Four case studies are presented to highlight how elements of the framework will enable progress on complex, far-ranging problems in nuclear physics. By collecting notation and terminology, providing illustrative examples, and giving an overview of the associated techniques, this paper aims to open paths through which the nuclear physics and statistics communities can contribute to and build upon the BAND framework.

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arXiv2021

Fermion Pair Dynamics in Open Quantum Systems

Three-body decay is a rare decay mode observed in a handful of unbound rare isotopes. The angular and energy correlations between emitted nucleons are of particular interest, as they provide invaluable information on the interplay between structure and reaction aspects of the nuclear open quantum system. To study the mechanism of two-nucleon emission, we developed a time-dependent approach that allows us to probe emitted nucleons at long times and large distances. We successfully benchmarked the new method against the Green's function approach and applied it to low-energy two-proton and two-neutron decays. In particular, we studied the interplay between initial-state nucleon-nucleon correlations and final-state interaction. We demonstrated that the time evolution of the two-nucleon wave function is strongly impacted by the diproton/dineutron dynamics and that the correlations between emitted nucleons provide invaluable information on the dinucleon structure in the initial-state.

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arXiv2020

Charge radii of exotic potassium isotopes challenge nuclear theory and the magic character of $N = 32$

Nuclear charge radii are sensitive probes of different aspects of the nucleon-nucleon interaction and the bulk properties of nuclear matter; thus, they provide a stringent test and challenge for nuclear theory. The calcium region has been of particular interest, as experimental evidence has suggested a new magic number at $N = 32$ [1-3], while the unexpectedly large increases in the charge radii [4,5] open new questions about the evolution of nuclear size in neutron-rich systems. By combining the collinear resonance ionization spectroscopy method with $β$-decay detection, we were able to extend the charge radii measurement of potassium ($Z =19$) isotopes up to the exotic $^{52}$K ($t_{1/2}$ = 110 ms), produced in minute quantities. Our work provides the first charge radii measurement beyond $N = 32$ in the region, revealing no signature of the magic character at this neutron number. The results are interpreted with two state-of-the-art nuclear theories. For the first time, a long sequence of isotopes could be calculated with coupled-cluster calculations based on newly developed nuclear interactions. The strong increase in the charge radii beyond $N = 28$ is not well captured by these calculations, but is well reproduced by Fayans nuclear density functional theory, which, however, overestimates the odd-even staggering effect. These findings highlight our limited understanding on the nuclear size of neutron-rich systems, and expose pressing problems that are present in some of the best current models of nuclear theory.

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