0000000000097440
AUTHOR
B. G. Carlsson
Spectroscopy along flerovium decay chains. II : Fine structure in odd-A289Fl
Fifteen correlated α-decay chains starting from the odd-A superheavy nucleus 289Fl were observed following the fusion-evaporation reaction 48Ca+244Pu. The results call for at least two parallel α-decay sequences starting from at least two different states of 289Fl. This implies that close-lying levels in nuclei along these chains have quite different spin-parity assignments. Further, observed α-electron and α-photon coincidences, as well as the α-decay fine structure along the decay chains, suggest a change in the ground-state spin assignment between 285Cn and 281Ds. Our experimental results, on the excited level structure of the heaviest odd-N nuclei to date, provide a direct testing groun…
Effective pseudopotential for energy density functionals with higher-order derivatives
We derive a zero-range pseudopotential that includes all possible terms up to sixth order in derivatives. Within the Hartree-Fock approximation, it gives the average energy that corresponds to a quasi-local nuclear Energy Density Functional (EDF) built of derivatives of the one-body density matrix up to sixth order. The direct reference of the EDF to the pseudopotential acts as a constraint that divides the number of independent coupling constants of the EDF by two. This allows, e.g., for expressing the isovector part of the functional in terms of the isoscalar part, or vice versa. We also derive the analogous set of constraints for the coupling constants of the EDF that is restricted by sp…
Spectroscopic Properties of Nuclear Skyrme Energy Density Functionals
We address the question of how to improve the agreement between theoretical nuclear single-particle energies (SPEs) and experiment. Empirically, in doubly magic nuclei, the SPEs can be deduced from spectroscopic properties of odd nuclei that have one more, or one less neutron or proton. Theoretically, bare SPEs, before being confronted with experiment, must be corrected for the effects of the particle-vibration-coupling (PVC). In the present work, we determine the PVC corrections in a fully self-consistent way. Then, we adjust the SPEs, with PVC corrections included, to empirical data. In this way, the agreement with experiment, on average, improves; nevertheless, large discrepancies still …
Alpha-Photon Coincidence Spectroscopy Along Element 115 Decay Chains
Produced in the reaction 48Ca+243Am, thirty correlated α-decay chains were observed in an experiment conducted at the GSI Helmholzzentrum fur Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany. The decay chains are basically consistent with previous findings and are considered to originate from isotopes of element 115 with mass numbers 287, 288, and 289. A set-up aiming specifically for high-resolution charged particle and photon coincidence spectroscopy was placed behind the gas-filled separator TASCA. For the first time, γ rays as well as X-ray candidates were observed in prompt coincidence with the α-decay chains of element 115.
Theoretical estimates of supernova-neutrino cross sections for the stable even-even lead isotopes: Charged-current reactions
A detailed study of the charged-current supernova electron neutrino and electron antineutrino scattering off the stable even-mass lead isotopes $A=204$, 206, and 208 is reported in this work. The proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation (pnQRPA) is adopted to construct the nuclear final and initial states. Three different Skyrme interactions are tested for their isospin and spin-isospin properties and then applied to produce (anti)neutrino-nucleus scattering cross sections for (anti)neutrino energies below 80 MeV. Realistic estimates of the nuclear responses to supernova (anti)neutrinos are computed by folding the computed cross sections with a two-parameter Fermi-Dirac distr…
Recoil-α-fission and recoil-α–α-fission events observed in the reaction 48Ca + 243Am
Products of the fusion-evaporation reaction 48Ca + 243Am were studied with the TASISpec set-up at the gas-filled separator TASCA at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany. Amongst the detected thirty correlated α-decay chains associated with the production of element Z=115, two recoil-α-fission and five recoil-α-α-fission events were observed. The latter five chains are similar to four such events reported from experiments performed at the Dubna gas-filled separator, and three such events reported from an experiment at the Berkeley gas-filled separator. The four chains observed at the Dubna gas-filled separator were assigned to start from the 2n-evaporation ch…
Charged-current neutrino and antineutrino scattering off 116Cd described by Skyrme forces
We perform calculations of the cross sections for charged-current neutrino and antineutrino scattering off 116Cd using ten different Skyrme interactions, at energies typical of supernova neutrinos. We use the quasiparticle random-phase approximation in its charged-changing mode (pnQRPA) to construct the required nuclear wave functions for the participant initial and final states. We compare the results of these calculations with the results of calculations based on the Bonn one-boson-exchange potential. The response of 116Cd to supernova neutrinos is calculated by folding the obtained cross sections with suitably parametrized Fermi-Dirac distributions of the electron-neutrino and electron-a…
Convergence of density-matrix expansions for nuclear interactions
We extend density-matrix expansions in nuclei to higher orders in derivatives of densities and test their convergence properties. The expansions allow for converting the interaction energies characteristic to finite- and short-range nuclear effective forces into quasi-local density functionals. We also propose a new type of expansion that has excellent convergence properties when benchmarked against the binding energies obtained for the Gogny interaction.
Neutral-current supernova-neutrino cross sections for 204,206,208Pb calculated by Skyrme quasiparticle random-phase approximation
The present work constitutes a detailed study of neutral-current (NC) supernova-neutrino scattering off the stable even-even lead isotopes 204,206,208Pb. This is a continuation of our previous work [Almosly et al., Phys. Rev. C. 94, 044614 (2016)] where we investigated charged-current processes on the same nuclei. As in the previous work, we have adopted the quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) as the theory framework and use three different Skyrme interactions to build the involved nuclear wave functions. We test the Skyrme forces by computing the location of the lowest-order isovector spin-multipole giant resonances and comparing with earlier calculations. We have computed the …
Low-lying states in Ra219 and Rn215 : Sampling microsecond α -decaying nuclei
Short-lived α-decaying nuclei "northeast" of 208Pb in the chart of nuclides were studied using the reaction 48Ca+243Am with the decay station TASISpec at TASCA, GSI Darmstadt. Decay energies and times from pile-up events were extracted with a tailor-made pulse-shape analysis routine and specific α-decay chains were identified in a correlation analysis. Decay chains starting with the even-even 220Ra and its odd-A neighbors, 219Fr, and 219,221Ra, with a focus on the 219Ra→215Rn decay, were studied by means of α-γ spectroscopy. A revised α-decay scheme of 219Ra is proposed, including a new decay branch from a previously not considered isomeric state at 17 keV excitation energy. Conclusions on …
The Negele-Vautherin density matrix expansion applied to the Gogny force
We use the Negele-Vautherin density matrix expansion to derive a quasi-local density functional for the description of systems of fermions interacting with short-ranged interactions composed of arbitrary finite-range central, spin-orbit, and tensor components. Terms that are absent in the original Negele-Vautherin approach owing to the angle averaging of the density matrix are fixed by employing a gauge invariance condition. We obtain the Kohn-Sham interaction energies in all spin-isospin channels, including the exchange terms, expressed as functions of the local densities and their derivatives up to second (next to leading) order. We illustrate the method by determining the coupling consta…
Charged-current neutrino and antineutrino scattering offCd116described by Skyrme forces
We perform calculations of the cross sections for charged-current neutrino and antineutrino scattering off Cd-116 using ten different Skyrme interactions, at energies typical of supernova neutrinos. We use the quasiparticle random-phase approximation in its charged-changing mode (pnQRPA) to construct the required nuclear wave functions for the participant initial and final states. We compare the results of these calculations with the results of calculations based on the Bonn one-boson-exchange potential. The response of Cd-116 to supernova neutrinos is calculated by folding the obtained cross sections with suitably parametrized Fermi-Dirac distributions of the electron-neutrino and electron…
Triaxial shape with rotation around the longest principal axis inGd142
The cranking model is used to describe rotational bands. We investigate the approach of using diabatic configurations and minimizing the particle-number projected energy in a mesh of both lambda, Delta and deformation parameters. We use the method to interpret recent experimental data in Gd-142 and conclude that for the highest spin states observed (I approximate to 30), the nucleus is triaxial and builds spin by rotating around the classically unfavored longest axis.
Collective vibrational states with fast iterative QRPA method
An iterative method we previously proposed to compute nuclear strength functions is developed to allow it to accurately calculate properties of individual nuclear states. The approach is based on the quasi-particle-random-phase approximation (QRPA) and uses an iterative non-hermitian Arnoldi diagonalization method where the QRPA matrix does not have to be explicitly calculated and stored. The method gives substantial advantages over conventional QRPA calculations with regards to the computational cost. The method is used to calculate excitation energies and decay rates of the lowest lying 2+ and 3- states in Pb, Sn, Ni and Ca isotopes using three different Skyrme interactions and a separabl…
Study of medium-spin states of neutron-rich 87, 89, 91Rb isotopes
International audience; Excited states of the rubidium isotopes$_{37}^{87, 89, 91}$Rb have been studied at the INFN Legnaro National Laboratory. Measurements of the $\gamma$ -ray decay of fragments produced in binary grazing reactions resulting from the interaction of a beam of 530 MeV$^{96}$Zr ions with a$^{124}$Sn target have been complemented by studies of the $\gamma$ -ray decay of fission fragments produced in the interaction of a beam of 230 MeV$^{36}$S ions with a thick$^{176}$Yb target. The structure of the yrast states of$_{37}^{87, 89, 91}$Rb has been discussed within the context of spherical shell-model and cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations.
Linear response strength functions with iterative Arnoldi diagonalization
We report on an implementation of a new method to calculate RPA strength functions with iterative non-hermitian Arnoldi diagonalization method, which does not explicitly calculate and store the RPA matrix. We discuss the treatment of spurious modes, numerical stability, and how the method scales as the used model space is enlarged. We perform the particle-hole RPA benchmark calculations for double magic nucleus 132Sn and compare the resulting electromagnetic strength functions against those obtained within the standard RPA.
Local nuclear energy density functional at next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order
We construct nuclear energy density functionals in terms of derivatives of densities up to sixth, next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N3LO). A phenomenological functional built in this way conforms to the ideas of the density matrix expansion and is rooted in the expansions characteristic to effective theories. It builds on the standard functionals related to the contact and Skyrme forces, which constitute the zero-order (LO) and second-order (NLO) expansions, respectively. At N3LO, the full functional with density-independent coupling constants, and with the isospin degree of freedom taken into account, contains 376 terms, while the functionals restricted by the Galilean and gauge symme…
Giant Monopole Resonances and nuclear incompressibilities studied for the zero-range and separable pairing interactions
Background: Following the 2007 precise measurements of monopole strengths in tin isotopes, there has been a continuous theoretical effort to obtain a precise description of the experimental results. Up to now, there is no satisfactory explanation of why the tin nuclei appear to be significantly softer than 208Pb. Purpose: We determine the influence of finite-range and separable pairing interactions on monopole strength functions in semi-magic nuclei. Methods: We employ self-consistently the Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation on top of spherical Hartree-Fock-Bogolyubov solutions. We use the Arnoldi method to solve the linear-response problem with pairing. Results: We found that the dif…
Polarization corrections to single-particle energies studied within the energy-density-functional and quasiparticle random-phase approximation approaches
Background: Models based on using perturbative polarization corrections and mean-field blocking approxima- tion give conflicting results for masses of odd nuclei. Purpose: We systematically investigate the polarization and mean-field models, implemented within self- consistent approaches that use identical interactions and model spaces, to find reasons for the conflicts between them. Methods: For density-dependent interactions and with pairing correlations included, we derive and study links between the mean-field and polarization results obtained for energies of odd nuclei. We also identify and discuss differences between the polarization-correction and full particle-vibration-coupling (PV…
Spectroscopy along flerovium decay chains. III : Details on experiment, analysis, 282Cn, and spontaneous fission branches
Flerovium isotopes (element Z=114) were produced in the fusion-evaporation reactions 48Ca+242,244Pu and studied with an upgraded TASISpec decay station placed in the focal plane of the gas-filled separator TASCA at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt, Germany. Twenty-nine flerovium decay chains were identified by means of correlated implantation, α decay, and spontaneous fission events. Data analysis aspects and statistical assessments, primarily based on measured rates of various events, which laid the foundation for the comprehensive spectroscopic information on the flerovium decay chains, are presented in detail. Various decay scenarios of an excited state obse…
Low-lying states in near-magic odd-odd nuclei and the effective interaction
The iterative quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) method we previously developed [Phys. Rev. C 81, 034312 (2010); 86, 024303 (2012); 86, 014307 (2012)] to accurately calculate properties of individual nuclear states is extended so that it can be applied for nuclei with odd numbers of neutrons and protons. The approach is based on the proton-neutron QRPA (pnQRPA) and uses an iterative non-Hermitian Arnoldi diagonalization method where the QRPA matrix does not have to be explicitly calculated and stored. The method is used to calculate excitation energies of proton-neutron multiplets for several nuclei. The influence of a pairing interaction in the T = 0 channel is studied.
Continuity equation and local gauge invariance for the N3LO nuclear energy density functionals
Background: The next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N3LO) nuclear energy density functional extends the standard Skyrme functional with new terms depending on higher-order derivatives of densities, introduced to gain better precision in the nuclear many-body calculations. A thorough study of the transformation properties of the functional with respect to different symmetries is required, as a step preliminary to the adjustment of the coupling constants. Purpose: Determine to which extent the presence of higher-order derivatives in the functional can be compatible with the continuity equation. In particular, to study the relations between the validity of the continuity equation and invari…
Polarization corrections to single-particle energies studied within the energy-density-functional and quasiparticle random-phase approximation approaches
Background: Models based on using perturbative polarization corrections and mean-field blocking approximation give conflicting results for masses of odd nuclei. Purpose: We systematically investigate the polarization and mean-field models, implemented within self-consistent approaches that use identical interactions and model spaces, to find reasons for the conflicts between them. Methods: For density-dependent interactions and with pairing correlations included, we derive and study links between the mean-field and polarization results obtained for energies of odd nuclei. We also identify and discuss differences between the polarization-correction and full particle-vibration-coupling (PVC) …
Polarization corrections to single-particle energies studied within the energy-density-functional and QRPA approaches
Background: Models based on using perturbative polarization corrections and mean-field blocking approximation give conflicting results for masses of odd nuclei. Purpose: Systematically investigate the polarization and mean-field models, implemented within self-consistent approaches that use identical interactions and model spaces, so as to find reasons for the conflicts between them. Methods: For density-dependent interactions and with pairing correlations included, we derive and study links between the mean-field and polarization results obtained for energies of odd nuclei. We also identify and discuss differences between the polarization-correction and full particle-vibration-coupling (PV…
Fluctuating parts of nuclear ground state correlation energies
Background: Heavy atomic nuclei are often described using the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) method. In principle, this approach takes into account Pauli effects and pairing correlations while other correlation effects are mimicked through the use of effective density-dependent interactions. Purpose: Investigate the influence of higher order correlation effects on nuclear binding energies using Skyrme's effective interaction. Methods: A cut-off in relative momenta is introduced in order to remove ultraviolet divergences caused by the zero-range character of the interaction. Corrections to binding energies are then calculated using the quasiparticle-random-phase approximation (QRPA) and secon…
Structure of superheavy nuclei along decay chains of element 115
[Introduction] A recent high-resolution α , X -ray, and γ -ray coincidence-spectroscopy experiment offered the first glimpse of excitation schemes of isotopes along α -decay chains of Z = 115. To understand these observations and to make predictions about shell structure of superheavy nuclei below 288 115, we employ two complementary mean-field models: the self-consistent Skyrme energy density functional approach and the macroscopic-microscopic Nilsson model. We discuss the spectroscopic information carried by the new data. In particular, candidates for the experimentally observed E 1 transitions in 276 Mt are proposed. We find that the presence and nature of low-energy E 1 transitions in w…
Neutral-current supernova-neutrino cross sections for Pb204,206,208 calculated by Skyrme quasiparticle random-phase approximation
The present work constitutes a detailed study of neutral-current (NC) supernova-neutrino scattering off the stable even-even lead isotopes Pb204,206,208. This is a continuation of our previous work [Almosly et al., Phys. Rev. C. 94, 044614 (2016)10.1103/PhysRevC.94.044614] where we investigated charged-current processes on the same nuclei. As in the previous work, we have adopted the quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) as the theory framework and use three different Skyrme interactions to build the involved nuclear wave functions. We test the Skyrme forces by computing the location of the lowest-order isovector spin-multipole giant resonances and comparing with earlier calculati…
Theoretical estimates of supernova-neutrino cross sections for the stable even-even lead isotopes: Charged-current reactions
A detailed study of the charged-current supernova electron neutrino and electron antineutrino scattering off the stable even-mass lead isotopes A = 204, 206, and 208 is reported in this work. The proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation (pnQRPA) is adopted to construct the nuclear final and initial states. Three different Skyrme interactions are tested for their isospin and spin-isospin properties and then applied to produce (anti)neutrino-nucleus scattering cross sections for (anti)neutrino energies below 80 MeV. Realistic estimates of the nuclear responses to supernova (anti)neutrinos are computed by folding the computed cross sections with a two-parameter Fermi-Dirac distr…
Spectroscopy along Flerovium Decay Chains: Discovery ofDs280and an Excited State inCn282
A nuclear spectroscopy experiment was conducted to study α-decay chains stemming from isotopes of flerovium (element Z=114). An upgraded TASISpec decay station was placed behind the gas-filled separator TASCA at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum fur Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt, Germany. The fusion-evaporation reactions ^{48}Ca+^{242}Pu and ^{48}Ca+^{244}Pu provided a total of 32 flerovium-candidate decay chains, of which two and eleven were firmly assigned to ^{286}Fl and ^{288}Fl, respectively. A prompt coincidence between a 9.60(1)-MeV α particle event and a 0.36(1)-MeV conversion electron marked the first observation of an excited state in an even-even isotope of the heaviest man-made eleme…