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Yingxun Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to Yingxun Zhang.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The influence of $δ$ meson on the isospin splitting of in-medium $NN\to NΔ$ cross sections

The isospin splitting of the in-medium $NN\rightarrow NΔ$ cross sections in asymmetric nuclear medium are investigated in the framework of the one-boson exchange model by including $δ$ and $ρ$ mesons. Our results show that the medium correction factors $R=σ_{ NN\rightarrow NΔ}^*/σ_{NN\rightarrow NΔ}^{\text{free}}$ have $R_{pp \to nΔ^{++}} < R_{nn \to pΔ^{-}}$ and $R_{NN \to NΔ^{+}} R_{nn \to pΔ^{-}}$ and $R_{NN \to NΔ^{+}} >R_{NN \to NΔ^{0}}$.

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Influence of the treatment of initialization and mean-field potential on the neutron to proton yield ratios

In this work, we firstly investigate how to reproduce and how well one can reproduce the Woods-Saxon density distribution of initial nuclei in the framework of the improved quantum molecular dynamics model. Then, we propose a new treatment for the initialization of nuclei which is correlated with the nucleonic mean-field potential by using the same potential energy density functional. In the mean field potential, the three-body force term is accurately calculated. Based on the new version of the model, the influences of precise calculations of the three-body force term, the slope of symmetry energy, the neutron-proton effective mass splitting, and the width of the wave packet on heavy ion collision observables, such as the neutron to proton yield ratios for emitted free nucleons [$R(n/p)$] and for coalescence invariant nucleons [$R_{ci}(n/p)$] for $^{124}$Sn+$^{112}$Sn at the beam energy of 200 MeV per nucleon, are discussed. Our calculations show that the spectra of neutron to proton yield ratios [$R(n/p)$] can be used to probe the slope of symmetry energy ($L$) and the neutron-proton effective mass splitting. In detail, the $R(n/p)$ in the low kinetic energy region can be used to probe the slope of symmetry energy ($L$). With a given $L$, the inclination of $R(n/p)$ to kinetic energy ($E_k$) can be used to probe the effective mass splitting. In the case where the neutron-proton effective mass splitting is fixed, $R(n/p)$ at high kinetic energy can also be used to learn the symmetry energy at suprasaturation density.

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In-medium pion dispersion relation and medium correction of $Nπ\leftrightarrow Δ$ near the threshold energy of pion production

Transport models cannot simultaneously explain very recent data on pion multiplicities and pion charged ratios of Sn+Sn in the reaction at 0.27 A GeV. This stimulates further investigations on the pion dispersion relation, in-medium $Nπ\to Δ$ cross sections and $Δ\to N π$ decay widths near the threshold energy or at subthreshold energy of pion production in isospin asymmetric nuclear matter. In this study, the pion dispersion relation, in-medium $Nπ\to Δ$ cross section and $Δ\to N π$ decay width near the threshold energy are investigated in isospin asymmetric nuclear matter by using the one-boson-exchange model. With the consideration of the energy conservation effect, the in-medium $Nπ\toΔ$ cross sections are enhanced at $s^{1/2}<1.11$ GeV in nuclear medium. The prediction of pion multiplicity and $π^-/π^+$ ratios near the threshold energy can be modified if this effect is considered in transport model simulations.

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Effects of Pauli blocking and in-medium nucleon-nucleon cross sections on the stopping power at low-intermediate energy heavy ion collisions

Three typical algorithms of Pauli blocking in the quantum molecular dynamics type models are investigated in the nuclear matter, the nucleus and the heavy ion collisions. The calculations in nuclear matter show that the blocking ratios obtained with the three algorithms are underestimated 13-25\% compared to the analytical values of blocking ratios. For the finite nucleus, the spurious collisions occur around the surface of the nucleus owing to the defects of Pauli blocking algorithms. In the simulations of heavy ion collisions, the uncertainty of stopping power from different Pauli blocking algorithms is less than 5\%. Furthermore, the in-medium effects of nucleon-nucleon ($NN$) cross sections on the nuclear stopping power are discussed. Our results show that the transport models calculations with free $NN$ cross sections result in the stopping power decreasing with the beam energy at the beam energy less than 300 MeV/u. To increase or decrease the values of stopping power, an enhanced or suppressed model dependent in-medium $NN$ cross section is required.

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Insights on pion production mechanism and symmetry energy at high density

The $NΔ\to NN$ cross sections, which take into account the $Δ$-mass dependence of M-matrix and momentum $p_{NΔ}$, are applied on the calculation of pion production within the framework of the UrQMD model. Our study shows that UrQMD calculations with the $Δ$-mass dependent $NΔ\to NN$ cross sections enhance the pion multiplicities and decrease the $π^-/π^+$ ratios. By analyzing the time evolution of the pion production rate and the density in the overlapped region for Au+Au at the beam energy of 0.4A GeV, we find that the pion multiplicity probes the symmetry energy in the region of 1-2 times normal density. The process of pion production in the reaction is tracked including the loops of $NN\leftrightarrow NΔ$ and $Δ\leftrightarrow Nπ$, our calculations show that the sensitivity of $π^-/π^+$ to symmetry energy is weakened after 4-5 N-$Δ$-$π$ loops in the pion production path, while the $π^{-}/π^{+}$ ratio in reactions at near threshold energies remains its sensitivity to the symmetry energy. By comparing the calculations to the FOPI data, we obtain a model dependent conclusion on the symmetry energy and the symmetry energy at two times normal density is $S(2ρ_0)$=38-73 MeV within $1σ$ uncertainties. Under the constraints of tidal deformability and maximum mass of neutron star, the symmetry energy at two times normal density is reduced to $48-58$ MeV and slope of symmetry energy $L=54-81$ MeV, and it is consistent with the constraints from ASY-EOS flow data.

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Progress of Quantum Molecular Dynamics model and its applications in Heavy Ion Collisions

In this review article, we first briefly introduce the transport theory and quantum molecular dynamics model applied in the study of the heavy ion collisions from low to intermediate energies. The developments of improved quantum molecular dynamics model (ImQMD) and ultra-relativistic quantum molecular dynamics model (UrQMD), are reviewed. The reaction mechanism and phenomena related to the fusion, multinucleon transfer, fragmentation, collective flow and particle production are reviewed and discussed within the framework of the two models. The constraints on the isospin asymmetric nuclear equation of state and in-medium nucleon-nucleon cross sections by comparing the heavy ion collision data with transport models calculations in last decades are also discussed, and the uncertainties of these constraints are analyzed as well. Finally, we discuss the future direction of the development of the transport models for improving the understanding of the reaction mechanism, the descriptions of various observables, the constraint on the nuclear equation of state, as well as for the constraint on in-medium nucleon-nucleon cross sections.

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Constraints on the symmetry energy and its associated parameters from nuclei to neutron stars

The symmetry energy obtained with the effective Skyrme energy density functional is related to the values of isoscalar effective mass and isovector effective mass, which is also indirectly related to the incompressibility of symmetric nuclear matter. In this work, we analyze the values of symmetry energy and its related nuclear matter parameters in five-dimensional parameter space by describing the heavy ion collision data, such as isospin diffusion data at 35 MeV/u and 50 MeV/u, neutron skin of $^{208}$Pb, and tidal deformability and maximum mass of neutron star. We obtain the parameter sets which can describe the isospin diffusion, neutron skin, tidal deformability and maximum mass of neutron star, and give the incompressibility $K_0$=250.23$\pm$20.16 MeV, symmetry energy coefficient $S_0$=31.35$\pm$2.08 MeV, the slope of symmetry energy $L$=59.57$\pm$10.06 MeV, isoscalar effective mass $m_s^*/m$=0.75$\pm$0.05 and quantity related to effective mass splitting $f_I$=0.005$\pm$0.170. At two times normal density, the symmetry energy we obtained is in 35-55 MeV. To reduce the large uncertainties of $f_I$, more critical works in heavy ion collisions at different beam energies are needed.

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Extracting Skyrme energy density functional parameters with Heavy-Ion Collision Data

The effective Skyrme energy density functionals are widely used in the study of nuclear structure, nuclear reaction and neutron star, but they are less established from the heavy ion collision data. In this work, we find 22 effective Skyrme parameter sets, when incorporated in use the transport model, ImQMD, to describe the heavy ion collision data, such as isospin diffusion data at 35 MeV/u and 50 MeV/u. We use these sets to calculate the neutron skin of $^{208}$Pb based on the restricted density variation method, and obtain the neutron skin of $^{208}$Pb in the range of $δR_{np}=0.18\pm0.04$ fm.

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$Δ$-mass dependence of the M-matrix in the calculation of $\mbox{N}Δ\to \mbox{NN}$ cross sections

Within the one boson exchange model, $Δ$-mass dependent M-matrix and its influence on the calculation of $NΔ\to NN$ cross sections are investigated. Our calculations show that the $m_Δ$ dependence of $|\textbf{p}_{NΔ}|$ and $|\mathcal{M}|^2$ has effects on the calculations of $σ_{NΔ\to NN}$, especially around the threshold energy. We finally provide a table of accurate $σ_{NΔ\to NN}$ which can be used in the transport models.

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In-medium $\mbox{NN}\to \mbox{N}Δ$ cross section and its dependence on effective Lagrange parameters in isospin-asymmetric nuclear matter

The in-medium $NN\rightarrow NΔ$ cross section and its differential cross section in isospin asymmetric nuclear medium are investigated in the framework of the one-boson exchange model by including the isovector mesons, i.e., $δ$ and $ρ$ mesons. Our results show that the in-medium $NN\rightarrow NΔ$ cross sections are suppressed with density increasing, and the differential cross sections become isotropic with the density increasing at the beam energy around the $Δ$ threshold energy. The isospin splitting on the medium correction factor, $R=σ_{ NN\rightarrow NΔ}^*/σ_{NN\rightarrow NΔ}^{\text{free}}$ is observed for different channels of $NN\to NΔ$, especially around the threshold energy for all the effective Lagrangian parameters. By analyzing the selected effective Lagrangian parameters, our results show that the larger effective mass is, the weaker medium correction $R$ is.

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Effect of energy conservation on in-medium $\mbox{NN}\to \mbox{N}Δ$ cross section in isospin-asymmetric nuclear matter

In this paper, the in-medium $NN\rightarrow NΔ$ cross section is calculated in the framework of the one-boson exchange model by including the isovector mesons, i.e. $δ$ and $ρ$ mesons. Due to the isospin exchange in the $NN\rightarrow NΔ$ process, the vector self-energies of the outgoing particles are modified relative to the incoming particles in isospin asymmetric nuclear matter, and it leads to the effective energies of the incoming $NN$ pair being different from the outgoing $NΔ$ pair. This effect is investigated in the calculation of the in-medium $NN\rightarrow NΔ$ cross section. With the corrected energy conservation, the cross sections of the $Δ^{++}$ and $Δ^+$ channels are suppressed, and the cross sections of the $Δ^0$ and $Δ^-$ channels are enhanced relative to the results obtained without properly considering the potential energy changes. Our results further confirm the dependence of medium correction factor, $R=σ_{ NN\rightarrow NΔ}^*/σ_{NN\rightarrow NΔ}^{\text{free}}$, on the charge state of $NN\rightarrow NΔ$ especially around the threshold energy, but the isospin splitting of medium correction factor $R$ becomes weak at high beam energies.

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Impact parameter smearing effects on isospin sensitive observables in heavy ion collisions

The validity of impact parameter estimation from the multiplicity of charged particles at low-intermediate energies is checked within the framework of ImQMD model. The simulations show that the multiplicity of charged particles cannot estimate the impact parameter of heavy ion collisions very well, especially for central collisions at the beam energies lower than $\sim$70 MeV/u due to the large fluctuations of the multiplicity of charged particles. The simulation results for the central collisions defined by the charged particle multiplicity are compared to those by using impact parameter b=2 fm and it shows that the charge distribution for $^{112}$Sn +$^{112}$Sn at 50 MeV/u is different evidently for two cases; and the chosen isospin sensitive observable, the coalescence invariant single neutron to proton yield ratio, reduces less than 15\% for neutron-rich systems $^{124,132}$Sn +$^{124}$Sn at $E_{beam}$=50 MeV/u, while the coalescence invariant double neutron to proton yield ratio does not have obvious difference. The sensitivity of the chosen isospin sensitive observables to effective mass splitting is studied for central collisions defined by the multiplicity of charged particles. Our results show that the sensitivity is enhanced for $^{132}$Sn+$^{124}$Sn relative to that for $^{124}$Sn+$^{124}$Sn, and this reaction system should be measured in future experiments to study the effective mass splitting by heavy ion collisions.

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The production of unknown neutron-rich isotopes in $^{238}$U+$^{238}$U collisions at near-barrier energy

The production cross sections for primary and residual fragments with charge number from $Z$=70 to 120 produced in the collision of $^{238}$U+$^{238}$U at 7.0 MeV/nucleon are calculated by the improved quantum molecular dynamics (ImQMD) model incorporated with the statistical evaporation model (HIVAP code). The calculation results predict that about sixty unknown neutron-rich isotopes from element Ra ($Z$=88) to Db ($Z$=105) can be produced with the production cross sections above the lower bound of $10^{-8}$ mb in this reaction. And almost all of unknown neutron-rich isotopes are emitted at the laboratory angles $θ_{lab}\leq$ 60$^\circ$. Two cases, i.e. the production of the unknown uranium isotopes with $A\geq$ 244 and that of rutherfordium with $A\geq$ 269 are investigated for understanding the production mechanism of unknown neutron-rich isotopes. It is found that for the former case the collision time between two uranium nuclei is shorter and the primary fragments producing the residues have smaller excitation energies of $\leq$ 30 MeV and the outgoing angles of those residues cover a range of 30$^\circ$-60$^\circ$. For the later case, the longer collision time is needed for a large number of nucleons being transferred and thus it results in the higher excitation energies and smaller outgoing angles of primary fragments, and eventually results in a very small production cross section for the residues of Rf with $A\geq$ 269 which have a small interval of outgoing angles of $θ_{lab}$=40$^\circ$-50$^\circ$.

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Correlations between the fragmentation modes and light charged particles emission in heavy ion collisions

The correlations between the shape of rapidity distribution of the yield of light charged particles and the fragmentation modes in semi-peripheral collisions for $^{70}$Zn+$^{70}$Zn, $^{64}$Zn+$^{64}$Zn and $^{64}$Ni+$^{64}$Ni at the beam energy of 35MeV/nucleon are investigated based on ImQMD05 code. Our studies show there is an interplay between the binary, ternary and multi-fragmentation break-up modes. The binary and ternary break-up modes more prefer to emit light charged particles at middle rapidity and give larger values of $R_{yield}^{mid}$ compared with the multi-fragmentation break-up mode does. The reduced rapidity distribution for the normalized yields of p, d, t, $^3$He, $^4$He and $^6$He and the corresponding values of $R_{yield}^{mid}$ can be used to estimate the probability of multi-fragmentation break-up modes. By comparing to experimental data, our results illustrate that $\ge$40\% of the collisions events belong to the multi-fragmentation break-up mode for the reactions we studied.

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Properties of nuclear matter from macroscopic-microscopic mass formulas

Based on the standard Skyrme energy density functionals together with the extended Thomas-Fermi approach, the properties of symmetric and asymmetric nuclear matter represented in two macroscopic-microscopic mass formulas: Lublin-Strasbourg nuclear drop energy (LSD) formula and Weizsäcker-Skyrme (WS*) formula, are extracted through matching the energy per particle of finite nuclei. For LSD and WS*, the obtained incompressibility coefficients of symmetric nuclear matter are $K_\infty=230 \pm 11$ MeV and $235\pm 11$ MeV, respectively. The slope parameter of symmetry energy at saturation density is $L=41.6\pm 7.6$ MeV for LSD and $51.5\pm 9.6$ MeV for WS*, respectively, which is compatible with the liquid-drop analysis of Lattimer and Lim [ApJ. \textbf{771}, 51 (2013)]. The density dependence of the mean-field isoscalar and isovector effective mass, and the neutron-proton effective masses splitting for neutron matter are simultaneously investigated. The results are generally consistent with those from the Skyrme Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations and nucleon optical potentials, and the standard deviations are large and increase rapidly with density. A better constraint for the effective mass is helpful to reduce uncertainties of the depth of the mean-field potential.

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Covariance Analysis of Symmetry Energy Observables from Heavy Ion Collision

Using covariance analysis, we quantify the correlations between the interaction parameters in a transport model and the observables commonly used to extract information of the Equation of State of Asymmetric Nuclear Matter in experiments. By simulating $^{124}$Sn+$^{124}$Sn, $^{124}$Sn+$^{112}$Sn and $^{112}$Sn+$^{112}$Sn reactions at beam energies of 50 and 120 MeV per nucleon, we have identified that the nucleon effective mass splitting are most strongly correlated to the neutrons and protons yield ratios with high kinetic energy from central collisions especially at high incident energy. The best observable to determine the slope of the symmetry energy, L, at saturation density is the isospin diffusion observable even though the correlation is not very strong ($\sim$0.7). Similar magnitude of correlation but opposite in sign exists for isospin diffusion and nucleon isoscalar effective mass. At 120 MeV/u, the effective mass splitting and the isoscalar effective mass also have opposite correlation for the double n/p and isoscaling p/p yield ratios. By combining data and simulations at different beam energies, it should be possible to place constraints on the slope of symmetry energy (L) and effective mass splitting with reasonable uncertainties.

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Competition between Coulomb and Symmetry Potential in Semi-peripheral Heavy-ion Collisions

The anisotropy of angular distributions of emitted nucleons and light charged particles for the asymmetric reaction system, $^{40}$Ar+$^{197}$Au, at b=6fm and $E_{beam}$=35, 50 and 100MeV/u, are investigated by using the Improved Quantum Molecular Dynamics model. The competition between the symmetry potential and Coulomb potential shows large impacts on the nucleons and light charged particles emission in projectile and target region. As a result of this competition, the angular distribution anisotropy of coalescence invariant Y(n)/Y(p) ratio at forward regions shows sensitivity to the stiffness of symmetry energy as well as the value of Y(n)/Y(p). This observable can be further checked against experimental data to understand the reaction mechanism and to extract information about the symmetry energy at subsaturation densities.

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Microscopic dynamics simulations of heavy-ion fusion reactions induced by neutron-rich nuclei

The heavy-ion fusion reactions induced by neutron-rich nuclei are investigated with the improved quantum molecular dynamics (ImQMD) model. With a subtle consideration of the neutron skin thickness of nuclei and the symmetry potential, the stability of nuclei and the fusion excitation functions of heavy-ion fusion reactions $^{16}$O+$^{76}$Ge, $^{16}$O+$^{154}$Sm, $^{40}$Ca+$^{96}$Zr and $^{132}$Sn+$^{40}$Ca are systematically studied. The fusion cross sections of these reactions at energies around the Coulomb barrier can be well reproduced by using the ImQMD model. The corresponding slope parameter of the symmetry energy adopted in the calculations is $L \approx 78$ MeV and the surface energy coefficient is $g_{\rm sur}=18\pm 1.5$ MeVfm$^2$. In addition, it is found that the surface-symmetry term significantly influences the fusion cross sections of neutron-rich fusion systems. For sub-barrier fusion, the dynamical fluctuations in the densities of the reaction partners and the enhanced surface diffuseness at neck side result in the lowering of the fusion barrier.

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