arXiv subjects

W. Zuo

Publications and source records attributed to W. Zuo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Continuum Variability in AGN: Evidence for Systematically Suppressed Fluctuations in the BAL Population

We aim to compare the flux variability of Broad Absorption Line quasars (BAL) to non-BAL quasars, controlling for black hole parameters to inform models concerning the generation of the BAL phenomenon. Using SDSS DR16 and ZTF $g$- and $r$-band light curves, we select quasars with $1.57 \leq z \leq 2.00$ and $18.5 \leq rmag \leq 19.8$. This redshift range ensures that the $g$-band covers the C IV emission line (and trough in BALs) while the $r$-band probes continuum variability, and allows black hole mass (MBH) estimates via Mg II. We quantify variability using excess variance and damped random walk (DRW) parameters ($\sigma_{\mathrm{DRW}}$, $\tau_{\mathrm{DRW}}$). We also compared the DRW metrics in bins of MBH and Eddington ratio (REdd) to isolate the influence of the BAL phenomenon in objects with the same physical properties. Excess variance and $\sigma_{\mathrm{DRW}}$ are consistently smaller for BALs, confirming lower long-term variability, while the $g$-band exhibits higher variability than the $r$-band across both populations. These differences persist in fixed bins of MBH and REdd, indicating that the suppressed variability in BALs is not simply driven by differences in these properties between BAL and non-BAL samples. These results show that BAL quasars are systematically less variable than non-BAL quasars in both bands, confirming that this suppression is an intrinsic feature of the continuum rather than an effect of emission or absorption line contamination. The samples could be made to agree if BAL MBH values were systematically overestimated by a factor $\gtrsim 4$, implying a significantly higher REdd. Alternatively, the lower variability in BALs can be related to their lower X-ray luminosities, or to significant nuclear obscuration, if the inner part of the accretion disc were more obscured in BALs and more variable than the rest of the disc.

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arXiv2026

How Threshold Effects in Spectroscopic Factors Influence Heavy-Ion Knockout Reactions

A two-decade-old puzzle in heavy-ion one-nucleon knockout reactions is the strong correlation between the reduction factor $R_s=\sigma_{\rm exp}/\sigma_{\rm th}$ and the Fermi surface asymmetry $\Delta S$. Theoretical cross sections typically rely on spectroscopic factors (SFs) from shell model (SM) calculations, which neglect continuum coupling effects. Here, we employ the Gamow shell model (GSM), which explicitly incorporates continuum coupling, to compute SFs for $p$-shell nuclei and predict corresponding theoretical cross sections. Systematic calculations demonstrate that using GSM-derived SFs substantially reduces discrepancies between theoretical and experimental results. This improvement is particularly significant for deeply bound nucleon knockout in nuclei near the dripline, where traditional SM-based calculations fall short. As a result, using GSM SFs, the ratio $R_s$ exhibits no pronounced dependence on $\Delta S$. Furthermore, both the ratio of GSM SFs to SM SFs and their corresponding reaction cross sections ratios exhibit a strong $\Delta S$ dependence. We have also compared GSM SFs and cross sections with those from the no-core shell model calculations, giving a similar pronounced sensitivity to $\Delta S$. Detailed analysis attributes these correlations to threshold effects for SFs in weakly bound systems. Overall, incorporating continuum coupling via GSM enhances the reliability of SF predictions for exotic, weakly bound nuclei and provides key insights toward resolving the enduring puzzle in heavy-ion knockout reactions from a nuclear structure perspective.

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arXiv2025

Double-magicity of proton drip-line nucleus $^{22}$Si with \textit{ab initio} calculation

New magic numbers have been discovered in the neutron-rich region of the nuclear chart. However, there has been a lack of research on proton-rich nuclei. $^{22}$O, the mirror nucleus of $^{22}$Si, is a double-magic nucleus bearing a high $E(2_1^+)$. Whether $^{22}$Si exhibits double-magic characters is an intriguing topic. To investigate this matter, we utilized \textit{ab initio} valence space in-medium similarity renormalization group for $^{22}$Si/$^{22}$O, and their nearby nuclei. Our \textit{ab initio} calculations provide good descriptions for the double magicity of $^{22}$O, as well as the shell evolution of $N=14$ and $Z=14$ through $E(2_1^+)$. The computed $E(2_1^+)$ indicate that the closure of $Z=14$ sub-shell in proton-rich nuclei is weaker than the $N=14$ sub-shell closure in their mirror nuclei. Particularly, the calculated $E(2_1^+)$ of $^{22}$Si is 800 keV lower than the one of $^{22}$O. To further explore the magicity of $^{22}$Si, the mirror energy difference (MED) of $^{26}$Si/$^{26}$Mg, $^{24}$Si/$^{24}$Ne, as well as $^{22}$Si/$^{22}$O are calculated. The results demonstrate that the calculated MEDs agree well with available experimental data, and the $E(2_1^+)$ values of $^{22,24,26}$Si are all lower than their respective mirror nuclei due to the Thomas-Ehrman shift with large $s_{1/2}$ occupation. Moreover, our calculation provides that the many-body configurations of the low-lying state of $^{22}$Si/$^{22}$O are nearly identical despite the fact that the states bearing large MED. In conclusion, our \textit{ab initio} results suggest that $^{22}$Si is a double magic nucleus, similar to its mirror nucleus $^{22}$O, albeit with a lower $E(2_1^+)$.

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arXiv2025

The role of the overlap function in describing angular distributions of single-nucleon transfer reactions

Single-nucleon transfer reactions offer a valuable way to probe nuclear structure. We explore the effect of directly introducing overlap functions computed using the Gamow shell model (GSM) into reaction calculations, taking the $\left< ^7\mathrm{Li} \mid \protect{^6\mathrm{He}} + p \right>$ single proton overlap as a case study. By incorporating both inter-nucleon correlations and continuum coupling, the GSM provides accurate overlap functions in both interior and asymptotic regions, together with the corresponding spectroscopic factors (SFs). These theoretical SFs and overlap functions were included in a coupled channels Born approximation analysis of the $^{6}{\rm He}(d,n)^7{\rm Li}$ transfer reaction. Overlap functions derived from \textit{ab initio} no-core shell model (NCSM) calculations as well as standard single-particle (s.p.) wave functions were also considered for comparison. Our results reveal significant differences between the calculated angular distributions when employing theoretical SFs with standard s.p.\ wave functions compared to the full theoretical overlap functions. Discrepancies were also observed between angular distributions calculated with GSM and NCSM overlap functions, highlighting the importance of internal structure and correct asymptotic behavior in reliable reaction calculations. The GSM overlap functions also provided a good description of the $^{208}$Pb($^7$Li,$^6$He)$^{209}$Bi reaction when included in a coupled reaction channels calculation.

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arXiv2025

Gamow shell model study of the 17Ne(p, p) reaction and of isospin symmetry breaking in 18Na

The unbound nucleus 18Na, acting as an intermediate nucleus in the sequential decay of 19Mg, is situated beyond the proton drip line. We employ the coupled-channel Gamow shell model (GSM-CC) to investigate the properties of 18Na, as well as the 17Ne(p, p) cross section. GSM-CC treats the nucleus as an open quantum system and provides a unified framework for studying both nuclear structure and reaction cross sections. Our calculations reproduce the energies and partial decay widths of low-lying states in 18Na, as well as the 17Ne(p, p) cross section. Additionally, the mirror nucleus 18N is also described. The isospin symmetry breaking induced by the Coulomb interaction and continuum coupling is clearly obtained in our description of 18Na and 18N properties, arising from the extended s1/2 partial wave. The isospin symmetry breaking in the 18Na/18N pair is compared to that occurring in the mirror pair 16F/16N, whereby similarities and differences are analyzed.

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arXiv2025

Gamow shell model calculations for the Thomas-Ehrman shift in new isotopes 21Al

Proton-rich nuclei beyond the proton drip line exhibit unique phenomena, such as the Thomas-Ehrman shift (TES), providing valuable insights into nuclear stability and isospin symmetry breaking. The discovery of the lightest new isotope, 21Al, situated beyond the proton drip line, was recently reported in the experiment. In this study, we employ the Gamow shell model (GSM) to explore the TES in mirror pairs 21Al/21O, focusing on how this phenomenon affects the energy levels of these nuclei. Our calculations describe the ground state energies and reveal significant TES with large mirror energy differences in the excited mirror 1/2+ states in 21Al/21O. The large mirror energy difference is primarily due to the significant occupation of weakly bound or unbound s1/2 orbitals, resulting in the extended radial density distributions, and variations in Coulomb energy and nuclear interaction contributions between the mirror states. Additionally, the low-lying states of 21Al are also calculated with the GSM in coupled-channel (GSM-CC) representation, Furthermore, we also predict the cross-section of 20Mg(p, p) scattering, which serves as another candidate approach to study the unbound structure of 21Al in the experiment, offering a theoretical framework for studying the structure and reaction dynamics of 21Al in future experiments.

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arXiv2024

Spectroscopic factor calculations in the \textit{ab initio} no-core shell model

The convergence properties of spectroscopic factors in the \textit{ab initio} no-core shell model are hereby investigated. For this, we consider nuclear energies and spectroscopic factors in $A = 6$ and 7 isotopes, using the chiral forces NNLO$_{\rm opt}$ and N$^3$LO. While low-lying spectrum energy demonstrates remarkable convergence with the increase of model space within the no-core shell model, the spectroscopic factor exhibits no definitive convergence trend and seems independent of the employed nuclear interaction. The use of spectroscopic factors issued from the no-core shell model to calculate cross-sections of knockout reaction might then be questionable. The results are compared with that of the standard shell model and \textit{ab initio} Monte Carlo calculations.

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arXiv2024

Ab initio study of Z(N) = 6 magicity

The existence of magic numbers of protons and neutrons in nuclei is essential for understanding nuclear structure and fundamental nuclear forces. Over decades, researchers have conducted theoretical and experimental studies on the new magic number Z(N) = 6, focusing on observables such as radii, binding energy, electromagnetic transition, and nucleon separation energies. We perform the ab initio no-core shell model calculations for the occupation numbers of the lowest single particle states in the ground states of Z(N) = 6 and Z(N) = 8 isotopes (isotones). Our calculations do not support Z(N) = 6 as a magic number over a span of atomic numbers. However, 14C and 14O exhibit the characteristics of double-magic nuclei.

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arXiv2024

Mechanisms of mirror energy difference for states exhibiting Thomas-Ehrman shift: Gamow shell model case studies of $^{18}$Ne/$^{18}$O and $^{19}$Na/$^{19}$O

The mirror energy difference (MED) of the mirror state, especially for states bearing the Thomas-Erhman shift, serves as a sensitive probe of isospin symmetry breaking. We employ the Gamow shell model, which includes the inter-nucleon correlation and continuum coupling, to investigate the MED for $sd$-shell nuclei by taking the $^{18}$Ne/$^{18}$O and $^{19}$Na/$^{19}$O as examples. Our GSM provides good descriptions for the excitation energies and MEDs for the $^{18}$Ne/$^{18}$O and $^{19}$Na/$^{19}$O. Moreover, our calculations also reveal that the large MED of the mirror states is caused by the significant occupation of the weakly bound or unbound $s_{1/2}$ waves, giving the radial density distribution of the state in the proton-rich nucleus more extended than that of mirror states in deeply-bound neutron-rich nuclei. Furthermore, our GSM calculation shows that the contribution of Coulomb is different for the low-lying states in proton-rich nuclei, which significantly contributes to MEDs of mirror states. Moreover, the contributions of the nucleon-nucleon interaction are different for the mirror state, especially for the state of proton-rich nuclei bearing the Thomas-Erhman shift, which also contributes to the significant isospin symmetry breaking with large MED.

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arXiv2024

Ab initio calculations with a new local chiral N3LO nucleon-nucleon force

Ab initio calculations have achieved remarkable success in nuclear structure studies. Numerous works highlight the pivotal role of three-body forces in nuclear ab initio calculations. Concurrently, efforts have been made to replicate these calculations using only realistic nucleon-nucleon (NN) interactions. A novel local chiral next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N3LO) NN interaction, distinct due to its weaker tensor force, has recently been established. This paper applies this local NN interaction in ab initio frameworks to calculate the low-lying spectra of p-shell light nuclei, particularly 10B, ground-state energies and shell evolution in oxygen isotopes. Results are compared with calculations utilizing nonlocal chiral N3LO NN and chiral NN +3N interactions. The ab initio calculations with the local N N potential accurately describe the spectra of p-shell nuclei, notably the 10B. Additionally, the neutron drip line for oxygen isotopes, with 24O as the drip line nucleus, is accurately reproduced in ab initio calculations with the local NN interaction. Calculations with the local NN interaction also reproduce the subshell closure at N = 14 and 16, albeit with a stronger shell gap compared to experimental data. However, the calculated charge radii based on the local NN interaction are underestimated compared with experimental data, which is similar to results from the nonlocal NN interaction. Consequently, the present ab initio calculations further indicate significant spin-orbit splitting effects with the new local NN potential, suggesting that 3N forces remain an important consideration.

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arXiv2024

Unveiling potential neutron halos in intermediate-mass nuclei: an \textit{ab initio} study

Halos epitomize the fascinating interplay between weak binding, shell evolution, and deformation effects, especially in nuclei near the drip line. In this Letter, we apply the state-of-the-art \textit{ab initio} valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group approach to predict potential candidates for one- and two-neutron halo in the intermediate-mass region. Notably, we use spectroscopic factors (SF) and two-nucleon amplitudes (TNA) as criteria for suggesting one- and two-neutron halo candidates, respectively. This approach is not only theoretically sound but also amenable to experimental validation. Our research focuses on Mg, Al, Si, P, and S neutron-drip-line nuclei, offering systematic predictions of neutron halo candidates in terms of separation energies, SF (TNA), and average occupation. The calculation suggests the ground states of $^{40,42,44,46}$Al, $^{41,43,45,47}$Si, $^{46,48}$P, and $^{47,49}$S are promising candidates for one-neutron halos, while $^{40,42,44,46}$Mg, $^{45,47}$Al, $^{46,48}$Si, $^{49}$P, and $^{50}$S may harbor two-neutron halos. In addition, the relative mean-square neutron radius between halo nuclei and \textit{inner core} is calculated for suggested potential neutron halos. Finally, the relations of halo formations and shell evolution are discussed.

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arXiv2024

Ab initio valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group calculations for neutron-rich P, Cl, and K isotopes

Neutron-rich P, Cl, and K isotopes, particularly those with neutron numbers around $N=28$, have attracted extensive experimental and theoretical interest. We utilize the \textit{ab initio} valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group approach, based on chiral nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon forces, to investigate the exotic properties of these isotopes. Systematic calculations of the low-lying spectra are performed. A key finding is the level inversion between $3/2_1^+$ and $1/2_1^+$ states in odd-$A$ isotopes, attributed to the inversion of $\pi 0d_{3/2}$ and $\pi 1s_{1/2}$ single-particle states.\textit{Ab initio} calculations, which incorporate the three-nucleon forces, correlate closely with existing experimental data. Further calculations of effective proton single-particle energies provide deeper insights into the shell evolution for $Z=14$ and $16$ sub-shells. Our results indicate that the three-body force plays important roles in the shell evolution for $Z=14$ and $16$ sub-shells with neutron numbers ranging from 20 to 28. Additionally, systematic \textit{ab initio} calculations are conducted for the low-lying spectra of odd-odd nuclei. The results align with experimental data and provide new insights for future research into these isotopes, up to and beyond the drip line.

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arXiv2024

Spectroscopic factors of resonance states with the Gamow shell model

We provide an investigation of the spectroscopic factor of resonance states in $A =5-8$ nuclei, utilizing the Gamow shell model (GSM). Within the GSM, the configuration mixing is taken into account exactly with the shell model framework, and the continuum coupling is addressed via the complex-energy Berggren ensemble, which treats bound, resonance, and non-resonant continuum single-particle states on an equal footing. As a result, both the configuration mixing and continuum coupling are meticulously considered in the GSM. We first calculate the low-lying states of helium isotopes and isotones with the GSM, and the results are compared with that of \textit{ab initio} no-core shell model (NCSM) calculations. The results indicate that GSM can reproduce the low-lying resonance states more accurately than the no-core shell model. Following this, we delve into the spectroscopic factors of the resonance states as computed through both GSM and NCSM, concurrently conducting systematic calculations of overlap functions pertinent to these resonance states. Finally, the calculated overlap function and spectroscopic factor of $^6$He$(0_1^+)$ $\otimes \nu p_{3/2} \to $ $^7$He$(3/2_1^-)$ with GSM are compared with the results from \textit{ab initio} NCSM, variational Monte Carlo, and Green's function Monte Carlo calculations, as well as avaliable experimental data. The results assert that wave function asymptotes can only be reproduced in GSM, where resonance and continuum coupling are precisely addressed.

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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

Pairing properties of semilocal coordinate&momentum-space regularized chiral interactions

We investigate the pairing properties of state-of-the-art semilocal coordinate-space and semilocal momentum-space regularized chiral interactions. Specifically, we calculate the pairing gaps in $^3SD_1$ channel of symmetric nuclear matter and in $^1S_0$ and $^3PF_2$ channels of pure neutron matter within the BCS approximation using these chiral interactions. We address the regulator and chiral order dependence of the pairing gaps and compare the pairing properties of the chiral interactions with those of the Argonne v18 (Av18) potential. The effects of the tensor force on the pairing gaps in the $^3SD_1$ and $^3PF_2$ channels are illustrated for both the chiral interactions and the Av18 potential. We evaluate the truncation errors of chiral expansions of the pairing gaps with a Bayesian approach. We find that the pairing gaps converge very well at the higher-order chiral expansions in the $^3SD_1$ and $^1S_0$ channels.

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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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