Proton-Rich Light Nuclei

A basic question for a given element of how few or how many neutrons can be contained in its nucleus and still result in a “bound” system, and the resulting consequences on our present concept of nuclear structure, have been the focus of much recent research on highly unstable nuclei. It is only during the last several years that the limit of nuclear stability has been reached in a few areas of the nuclear chart. Except among the lightest elements, knowledge of the limit on the neutron-excess side is still beyond our experimental capability. For the heavier elements, the gap between the most neutron-rich isotope known and the isotope which is predicted to define the neutron drip-line more o…