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Yi Hua Lam

Publications and source records attributed to Yi Hua Lam.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Nuclear Mass Models with Deformation Optimized and Diagnosed by Bayesian Analysis with Markov Chain Monte Carlo

We employ a full Bayesian analysis with adaptive Metropolis-Hastings Markov chain Monte Carlo (BA-MCMC) sampling to systematically study the posterior probability distributions of the strengths of energy terms in optimized nuclear mass models of Bethe-Weizsäcker variants. Strong correlations of some energy terms for some mass models are revealed through the parameter degeneracy diagnosis. We analyze selected refined models to determine parameter degeneracies while proposing a new macroscopic-microscopic mass model, BWL, which considers quadrupole and high-multipole deformation and shell corrections. All mass models in this work are analyzed and optimized through the BA-MCMC method. Compared with 2242 precise experimental binding energies of AME2020, BWL produces a root-mean-square deviation of 759 keV, particularly improving the description of masses in the light-nuclei and actinide regions. BA-MCMC offers robust inference on parameter degeneracy while providing an optimization method for future nuclear mass models.

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Shape evolution of krypton isotopes calculated with axially deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov approach

We perform a systematic study of the structure and properties of the krypton isotopic chain including both even-even and odd-$A$ nuclei based on the axially deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov approach. Five effective interactions of three families of covariant density functionals, i.e., PC-L3R, DD-PCX, DD-PC1, DD-MEX, and DD-ME2, are employed to calculate potential energy surfaces of krypton isotopes. $^{74,75}$Kr and $^{90,91,92}$Kr are determined as typical candidates of shape coexistence. The potential surfaces originating from the PC-L3R, DD-PCX, and DD-MEX interactions exhibit an abrupt shape transition from oblate to prolate for $^{73\text{-}74}$Kr, whereas DD-PC1 and DD-ME2 preserve an oblate ground-state shape. Such discrepancies are attributed to the occupations of single-particle levels at the vicinity of the Fermi surface described by these functionals. Moreover, the comparison between spherical and deformed calculations verifies the indispensability of deformation degrees of freedom in this region. The consideration of deformation effects improves the description of two-neutron separation energies, of which its evolution clearly demonstrates the $N=50$ and $82$ shell closures. Interestingly, PC-L3R predicts a more extended two-neutron drip line up to $^{132}$Kr, in agreement with the NL3* and PC-PK1 nonlinear effective interactions, whereas other functionals estimate a rather short isotopic chain up to $^{119}$Kr. This anomalous extension implies a significant softening or even collapse of the traditional $N=82$ shell closure near the neutron-rich drip line, highlighting the need for future studies based on triaxial deformation and beyond-mean-field correlations in this nuclear region.

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Nuclear shell evolution near N = 6, 14, 20 and 28: insights from nuclear charge radii of short-lived nuclei derived from binding energies

A deep understanding of the evolution of nuclear shell structure correlating with the nucleon number is crucial for unraveling the fundamental properties of the nuclear structure and for exploring new nuclear physics phenomena far from the $β$-stability line. Although significant progress has been made in probing nuclear shell evolution via the measurements of nuclear root-mean-square charge radii, $R_{\text{ch}}$, the scarcity of new data for short-lived and exotic nuclei due to the increasing difficulty of measurements presents a formidable challenge in obtaining deeper and more universal insights into the nature of shell evolution. To mitigate this issue, we develop an improved method, accounting for the exchange term, charge-symmetry breaking effect, and odd-even staggering effect in the Coulomb energy formulation compared with that proposed by Liu et al. [Phys. Lett. B 872, 140046 (2026)], to determine unmeasured $R_{\text{ch}}$ values. Using the improved method, the $R_{\text{ch}}$ values of 59 nuclei are determined from their measured binding energies ($B$) and the respective $B$ and $R_{\text{ch}}$ of their mirror partners. We then systematically study the shell evolution near $N=6$, 14, 20 and 28 (sub)shells by placing the newly obtained $R_{\text{ch}}$ values into the corresponding isotopic chains. More comprehensive insights into the properties of nuclear shell evolution, particularly for the neutron-deficient sectors of the studied shell regions, e.g., $p$, $sd$ and $pf$ shells, are acquired, advancing our understanding of nuclear shell evolution in the light and intermediate mass region.

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The Regulated GeAs Cycles with the New $^{63}$Ga(p,$γ$)$^{64}$Ge and $^{64}$Ge(p,$γ$)$^{65}$As Reaction Rates and Their Impact on the GS 1826$-$24 Clocked Bursts and SAX J1808.4$-$3658 Photospheric Radius Expansion Bursts

The $^{63}$Ga(p,$γ$)$^{64}$Ge and $^{64}$Ge(p,$γ$)$^{65}$As thermonuclear reactions connect the ZnGa and GeAs cycles by diverting the flow of the rapid proton capture process from $^{63}$Ga to $^{65}$As. Changes in these two reaction rates regulate the ZnGa and GeAs cycles and may affect the modeled properties matching with the observed counterparts of a type I X-ray burster. We implement the latest $^{63}$Ga(p,$γ$)$^{64}$Ge and $^{64}$Ge(p,$γ$)$^{65}$As reaction rates to the state-of-the-art self-consistent one-dimensional multi-zone thermo-hydrodynamic code, KEPLER, to study the influence of these new reaction rates on the models of the GS 1826$-$24 clocked burster and SAX J1808.4$-$3658 photospheric radius expansion burster. Both new reaction rates obtained by Lu et al. [Phys. Rev. C 110, 065804 (2024)] are determined from complementing the experimental input with the nuclear spectroscopic information deduced from the full pf-shell space configuration-interaction shell-model calculations. By constraining the models on reproducing the observed burst peak, light-curve profile, fluence, and recurrence time, we find that the impact of the newly measured proton thresholds and respective proton-capture reactions on the burst light-curve profile of the GS 1826$-$24 clocked burster is, in fact, not as significant as claimed by Zhou et al. [Nat. Phys. 19, 1091 (2023)]. With or without the inclusion of the newly determined reaction rate of the highly influential $^{22}$Mg($α$,p)$^{25}$Al reaction, the impact of the new $^{63}$Ga(p,$γ$)$^{64}$Ge and $^{64}$Ge(p,$γ$)$^{65}$As reaction rates on SAX J1808.4$-$3658 photospheric radius expansion bursts is evident. Our finding indicates that the models reproducing the 2002 October epoch of SAX J1808.4$-$3658 photospheric radius expansion burster is more sensitive to the uncertainties of thermonuclear reaction rates.

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New $^{63}$Ga(p,$γ$)$^{64}$Ge and $^{64}$Ge(p,$γ$)$^{65}$As reaction rates corresponding to the temperature regime of thermonuclear X-ray bursts

We compute the $^{63}$Ga(p,$γ$)$^{64}$Ge and $^{64}$Ge(p,$γ$)$^{65}$As thermonuclear reaction rates using the latest experimental input supplemented with theoretical nuclear spectroscopic information. The experimental input consists of the latest proton thresholds of $^{64}$Ge and $^{65}$As, and the nuclear spectroscopic information of $^{65}$As, whereas the theoretical nuclear spectroscopic information for $^{64}$Ge and $^{65}$As are deduced from the full pf-shell space configuration-interaction shell-model calculations with the GXPF1A Hamiltonian. Both thermonuclear reaction rates are determined with known uncertainties at the energies that correspond to the Gamow windows of the temperature regime relevant to Type I X-ray bursts, covering the typical temperature range of the thermonuclear runaway of the GS 1826$-$24 periodic bursts and SAX J1808.4$-$3658 photospheric radius expansion bursts.

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Nuclear ground-state properties probed by the relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov approach

Using the relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov framework with separable pairing force coupled with the latest covariant density functionals, i.e., PC-L3R, PC-X, DD-PCX, and DD-MEX, we systematically explore the ground-state properties of all isotopes of Z=8-110. These properties consist of the binding energies, one- and two-neutron separation energies ($S_\mathrm{n}$ and $S_\mathrm{2n}$), root-mean-square radius of matter, of neutron, of proton, and of charge distributions, Fermi surfaces, ground-state spins and parities. We then predict the edges of nuclear landscape and bound nuclei for the isotopic chains from oxygen (Z=8) to darmstadtium (Z=110) based on these latest covariant density functionals. The number of bound nuclei predicted by PC-L3R, PC-X, DD-PCX, and DD-MEX, are 9004, 9162, 6799, and 7112, respectively. The root-mean-square deviations of $S_\mathrm{n}$ ($S_\mathrm{2n}$) yielded from PC-L3R, PCX, DD-PCX, and DD-MEX are 0.962 (1.300) MeV, 0.920 (1.483) MeV, 0.993 (1.753) MeV, and 1.010 (1.544) MeV, respectively. The root-mean-square deviations of charge radius distributions of comparing the available experimental values with the theoretical counterparts resulted from PC-L3R, PC-X, DD-PCX, and DD-MEX are 0.035 fm, 0.037 fm, 0.035 fm, and 0.034 fm, respectively. We notice pronounced differences between the empirical and theoretical root-mean-square radii of neutron at nuclei near the neutron drip line of the Mg, Ca, and Kr isotopic chains, suggesting the possible existence of the halo or giant halo phenomena.

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The optimized point-coupling interaction for the relativistic energy density functional of Hartree-Bogoliubov approach quantifying the nuclear bulk properties

We propose a newly optimized nonlinear point-coupling parameterized interaction, PC-L3R, for the relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov framework with a further optimized separable pairing force by fitting to observables, i.e., the binding energies of 91 spherical nuclei, charge radii of 63 nuclei, and 12 sets of mean pairing gaps consisting of 54 nuclei in total. The separable pairing force strengths of proton and neutron are optimized together with the point-coupling constants, and are justified in satisfactory reproducing the empirical pairing gaps. The comparison of experimental binding energies compiled in AME2020 for 91 nuclei with the ones generated from the present and other commonly used point-coupling interactions indicates that the implementation of PC-L3R in relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov yields the lowest root-mean-square deviation. The charge radii satisfactory agree with experiment. Meanwhile, PC-L3R is capable of estimating the saturation properties of the symmetric nuclear matter and of appropriately predicting the isospin and mass dependence of binding energy. The experimental odd-even staggering of single nucleon separation energies is well reproduced. The comparison of the estimated binding energies for 7,373 nuclei based on the PC-L3R and other point-coupling interactions is also presented.

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The Regulated NiCu Cycles with the new $^{57}$Cu(p,$γ$)$^{58}$Zn reaction rate and the Influence on Type-I X-Ray Bursts: GS 1826$-$24 Clocked Burster

During the X-ray bursts of GS 1826$-$24, "clocked burster", the nuclear reaction flow that surges through the rapid-proton capture process path has to pass through the NiCu cycles before reaching the ZnGa cycles that moderate the further extent of hydrogen burning in the region above germanium and selenium isotopes. The $^{57}$Cu(p,$γ$)$^{58}$Zn reaction located in the NiCu cycles plays an important role in influencing the burst light curves as found by Cyburt et al. (2016). We deduce the $^{57}$Cu(p,$γ$)$^{58}$Zn reaction rate based on the experimentally determined important nuclear structure information, isobaric-multiplet-mass equation, and large-scale shell model calculations. Based on the isobaric-multiplet-mass equation, we propose a possible order of $1^+_1$ and $2^+_3$ dominant resonance states and constrain the resonance energy of the $1^+_2$ state. The latter reduces the contribution of the $1^+_2$ dominant resonance state. The new reaction rate is up to a factor of four lower than the Forstner et al. (2001) rate recommended by JINA REACLIB v2.2 at the temperature regime sensitive to clocked bursts of GS 1826$-$24. Using the simulation from the one-dimensional implicit hydrodynamic code, KEPLER, to model the thermonuclear X-ray bursts of GS 1826$-$24 clocked burster, we find that the new $^{57}$Cu(p,$γ$)$^{58}$Zn coupled with the latest $^{56}$Ni(p,$γ$)$^{57}$Cu and $^{55}$Ni(p,$γ$)$^{56}$Cu reaction rates redistributes the reaction flow in the NiCu cycles and strongly influences the burst ash composition, whereas the $^{59}$Cu(p,$α$)$^{56}$Ni and $^{59}$Cu(p,$γ$)$^{60}$Zn reactions suppress the influence of the $^{57}$Cu(p,$γ$)$^{58}$Zn reaction and diminish the impact of nuclear reaction flow that by-passes the important $^{56}$Ni waiting point induced by the $^{55}$Ni(p,$γ$)$^{56}$Cu reaction on burst light curve.

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The Impact of the New $^{65\!}$As(p,$γ$)$^{66\!}$Se Reaction Rate on the Two-Proton Sequential Capture of $^{64}\!$Ge, Weak GeAs Cycles, and Type-I X-Ray Bursts such as the Clocked Burster GS 1826$-$24

We re-assess $^{65}$As(p,$γ$)$^{66}$Se reaction rates based on a set of proton thresholds of $^{66}$Se, $S_\mathrm{p}$($^{66}$Se), estimated from the experimental mirror nuclear masses, theoretical mirror displacement energies, and full $pf$-model space shell-model calculation. The self-consistent relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory is employed to obtain the mirror displacement energies with much reduced uncertainty, and thus reducing the proton-threshold uncertainty up to 161 keV compared to the AME2020 evaluation. Using the simulation instantiated by the one-dimensional multi-zone hydrodynamic code, KEPLER, that closely reproduces the observed GS 1826$-$24 clocked bursts, the present forward and reverse $^{65}$As(p,$γ$)$^{66}$Se reaction rates based on a selected $S_\mathrm{p}$($^{66}$Se) = 2.469$\pm$0.054 MeV, and the latest $^{22}$Mg($α$,p)$^{25}$Al, $^{56}$Ni(p,$γ$)$^{57}$Cu(p,$γ$)$^{58}$Zn, $^{55}$Ni(p,$γ$)$^{56}$Cu, and $^{64}$Ge(p,$γ$)$^{65}$As reaction rates, we find that though the GeAs cycles is weakly established in the rapid-proton capture process path, the $^{65}$As(p,$γ$)$^{66}$Se reaction still strongly characterizes the burst tail end due to the two-proton sequential capture on $^{64}$Ge, not found by Cyburt et al. (2016) sensitivity study. The $^{65}$As(p,$γ$)$^{66}$Se reaction influences the abundances of nuclei $A$ = 64, 68, 72, 76, and 80 up to a factor of 1.4. The new $S_\mathrm{p}$($^{66}$Se) and the inclusion of the updated $^{22}$Mg($α$,p)$^{25}$Al reaction rate increases the production of $^{12}$C up to a factor of $4.5$ that is not observable and could be the main fuel for superburst. The waiting point status of and two-proton sequential capture on $^{64}$Ge, weak-cycle feature of GeAs at region heavier than $^{64}$Ge, and impact of other possible $S_\mathrm{p}$($^{66}$Se) are also discussed.

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Isobaric Multiplet Mass Equation for $A \le 71$ Revisited

Accurate mass determination of short-lived nuclides by Penning-trap spectrometers and progress in the spectroscopy of proton-rich nuclei have triggered renewed interest in the isobaric multiplet mass equation (IMME). The energy levels of the members of $T=1/2, 1, 3/2,$ and 2 multiplets and the coefficients of the IMME are tabulated for $A\le 71$. The new compilation is based on the most recent mass evaluation (AME2011) and it includes the experimental results on energies of the states evaluated up to end of 2011. Taking into account the error bars, a significant deviation from the quadratic form of the IMME for the $A=9, 35$ quartets and the $A=32$ quintet is observed.

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Isospin Non-Conservation in $sd$-Shell Nuclei

The question of isospin-symmetry breaking in nuclei of the $sd$ shell is addressed. We propose a new global parameterization of the isospin-nonconserving (INC) shell-model Hamiltonian which accurately describes experimentally known isobaric mass splittings. The isospin-symmetry violating part of the Hamiltonian consists of the Coulomb interaction and effective charge-dependent forces of nuclear origin. Particular attention has been paid to the effect of the short-range correlations. The behavior of $b$ and $c$ coefficients of the isobaric-mass-multiplet equation (IMME) is explored in detail. In particular, a high-precision numerical description of the staggering effect is proposed and contribution of the charge-dependent forces to the nuclear pairing is discussed. The Hamiltonian is applied to the study of the IMME beyond a quadratic form in the A=32 quintet, as well as to calculation of nuclear structure corrections to superallowed $0^+ \to 0^+$ Fermi $β$ decay, and to amplitudes of Fermi transitions to non-analogue states in sd-shell nuclei.

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Advanced burning stages and fate of 8-10 Mo stars

The stellar mass range 8<M/Mo<12 corresponds to the most massive AGB stars and the most numerous massive stars. It is host to a variety of supernova progenitors and is therefore very important for galactic chemical evolution and stellar population studies. In this paper, we study the transition from super-AGB star to massive star and find that a propagating neon-oxygen burning shell is common to both the most massive electron capture supernova (EC-SN) progenitors and the lowest mass iron-core collapse supernova (FeCCSN) progenitors. Of the models that ignite neon burning off-center, the 9.5Mo model would evolve to an FeCCSN after the neon-burning shell propagates to the center, as in previous studies. The neon-burning shell in the 8.8Mo model, however, fails to reach the center as the URCA process and an extended (0.6 Mo) region of low Ye (0.48) in the outer part of the core begin to dominate the late evolution; the model evolves to an EC-SN. This is the first study to follow the most massive EC-SN progenitors to collapse, representing an evolutionary path to EC-SN in addition to that from SAGB stars undergoing thermal pulses. We also present models of an 8.75Mo super-AGB star through its entire thermal pulse phase until electron captures on 20Ne begin at its center and of a 12Mo star up to the iron core collapse. We discuss key uncertainties and how the different pathways to collapse affect the pre-supernova structure. Finally, we compare our results to the observed neutron star mass distribution.

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