Experimental evidence of core modification in the near drip-line nucleus 23O

The longitudinal momentum (P(axially)) distributions of one- and two-neutron removal fragments ((21,22)O) of 23O from the reaction with a C target at 72 A MeV have been measured for the first time using a new direct time-of-flight method with nearly full acceptance for the breakup fragments. The unexpectedly narrow width of 21O ( 115 +/- 34 MeV/c in FWHM) is consistent with two neutrons occupying the 2s(1/2) orbital in 23O. This indicates modification of core (22O) structure for neutron halo-like sd shell nuclei near the drip line. This also suggests the lowering of the s orbital providing a justification for the N = 16 magic number.     

Alpha Decay,Shell Structure,and New Elements

We systematically analyze the experimental data of alpha decay in even-even heavy nuclei far from stability and find that the Geiger-Nuttall law brea~s for an isotopic chain when its neutron number is across a marc number or there is a deformed subshell. This break can be used to identify new magic numbers of superheavy nuclei. It is also discovered that there is a new linear relation between the logarithm of half-life and the reciprocal of the square root of decay energy for N = 126 and N = 152 isotones. It could be a new law of alpha decay for nuclei with magic neutron numbers but the physics behind it is to be explored. The significance of these researches for the search of new elements is discussed.     

Alpha Decay, Shell Structure, and New Elements

We systematically analyze the experimental data of alpha decay in even-even heavy nuclei far from stabilityand find that the Geiger-Nuttall law breaks for an isotopic chain when its neutron number is across a magic numberor there is a deformed subshell. This break can be used to identify new magic numbers of superheavy nuclei. It is alsodiscovered that there is a new linear relation between the logarithm of half-life and the reciprocal of the square root ofdecay energy for N = 126 and N = 152 isotones. It could be a new law of alpha decay for nuclei with magic neutronnumbers but the physics behind it is to be explored. The significance of these researches for the search of new elementsis discussed.     

Rearrangements in neutron shell closures far from stability

A survey of experimental results obtained at GANIL (Caen, Prance) on the study of the properties of very neutron-rich nuclei (Z = 6–20, A = 20–60) near the neutron drip line and resulting in an appearance of further evidence for the new magic number N = 16 is presented. Very recent data on mass measurements of neutron-rich nuclei at GANIL and some characteristics of binding energies in this region are discussed. Nuclear binding energies are very sensitive to the existence of nuclear shells and together with the measurements of instability of doubly magic nuclei ¹⁰He and ²⁸0 they provide information on changes in neutron shell closures of very neutron-rich isotopes. The behaviour of the two-neutron separation energies S_2n derived from mass measurements gives a very clear evidence for the existence of the new shell closure N = 16 for Z = 9 and 10 appearing between 2s_1/2 and ld_3/2 orbitals. This fact, strongly supported by the instability of C, N and O isotopes with N > 16, confirms the magic character of N = 16 for the region from carbon up to neon while the shell closure at N = 20 tends to disappear for Z ≤ 13. Decay studies of these hardly accessible short-lived neutron-rich nuclei from oxygen to silicon using the in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy are also reported.     

轻核区双中子滴线核的研究

运用形变相对论平均场（RMF）理论系统地研究了轻核区的元素O, Ne, Mg, Si, S, Ar和 Ca及Ni。 计算了这8个元素的偶 偶核基态的一些性质, 如结合能、 四极形变、 平均每核子结合能以及双中子分离能等。 计算中采用了NL3参数组, 并用BCS方法处理对关联。 限于篇幅, 文中只给出O和Mg元素的计算结果。 RMF理论计算的结果和实验值基本一致。 从双中子分离能的分析可知, RMF理论计算的各元素的双中子滴线核分别为 30O, 38Ne, 42Mg, 52Si, 54S, 60Ar, 80Ca和98Ni。 最后简单讨论了Ca和Ni同位素中的中子幻数情况。 The ground state properties of even even O, Ne, Mg, Si, S, Ar, Ca and Ni isotopes were studied with the self consistent deformed relativistic mean field theory with NL3 parameter set. The calculated results of O and Mg isotopes were presented in detail. The calculated binding energies and the two neutron separation energies were in good agreement with experimental values. By examining the two neutron separation energies, it was suggested that 30O, 38Ne, 42Mg, 52Si, 54S, 60Ar, 80Ca and 98Ni are the two neutron drip line nuclei. We also briefly discussed the possible changes of neutron magic numbers in Ca and Ni isotopes. Key words: relativistic mean field; drip line nucleus; two neutron separation energy     

中能重离子碰撞中的中子(质子)发射的同位旋效应

利用同位旋相关的量子分子动力学,对中能重离子碰撞过程中的中子和质子发射的同位旋效应进行了分析.计算结果表明在有动量相关作用条件下,在很宽的能量和碰撞参数范围内,缺中子碰撞系统的中子(质子)发射数强烈地依赖于同位旋相关的核子–核子碰撞截面,而较弱地依赖于对称势.在对丰中子碰撞系统的研究中,上述规律减弱.这样就可以通过实验上对缺中子碰撞系统的中子(质子)发射数的探测,来提取介质中同位旋相关核子–核子碰撞截面的知识.     

On the extension of the periodic system into the sectors of superheavy elements,strangeness and antimatter

After a brief review of the standard extension of the periodic system into the islands of superheavy elements and out to the proton and neutron drip lines, we shall discuss its continuation into the sectors of antimatter and strangeness. A tremendously rich scenario of new nuclear structure emerges, with new magic numbers in the strangeness domain and new forms of nuclear clusters combined of p, n, Λ, Σ, Ξ, etc. The production mechanisms for these objects and for antinuclei rest in high energetic heavy ion collisions. Various possibilities are discussed, some of them quantitatively.     

Light nuclei near neutron and proton drip lines in relativistic mean-field theory

We have made a detailed study of the ground-state properties of nuclei in the light-mass region with atomic numbers Z = 10–22 in the framework of the relativistic mean-field (RMF) theory. The nonlinear σω model with scalar self-interaction has been employed. The RMF calculations have been performed in an axially deformed configuration using the force NL-SH. We have considered nuclei about the stability line as well as those close to proton and neutron drip lines. It is shown that the RMF results provide good agreement with the available empirical data. The RMF predictions also show reasonably good agreement with those of the mass models. It is observed that nuclei in this mass region are found to possess strong deformations and exhibit shape changes all along the isotopic chains. The phenomenon of shape coexistence is found to persist near the stability line as well as near the drip lines. It is shown that the magic number N = 28 is quenched strongly, thus enabling the corresponding nuclei to assume strong deformations. Nuclei near the neutron and proton drip lines in this region are also shown to be strongly deformed.     

N = 14 shell closure in 22O viewed through a neutron sensitive probe

To investigate the behavior of the N = 14 neutron gap far from stability with a neutron-sensitive probe, proton elastic and 2(1)+ inelastic scattering angular distributions for the neutron-rich nucleus 22O were measured using the MUr à STrip detector array at the Grand Accélérateur National d'Ions Lourds facility. A deformation parameter beta(p,p') = 0.26 +/- 0.04 is obtained for the 2(1)+ state, much lower than in 20O, showing a weak neutron contribution to this state. A microscopic analysis was performed using matter and transition densities generated by continuum Skyrme-Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov and quasiparticle random phase approximation calculations, respectively. The ratio of neutron to proton contributions to the 2(1)+ state is found close to the N/Z ratio, demonstrating a strong N = 14 shell closure in the vicinity of the neutron drip line.     

Single-particle neutron characteristics of Cd isotopes with N of 50 to 82

Experimental data on single-particle neutron energies of Cd isotopes are analyzed within a dispersive optical model. Parameters of the potential are extrapolated to the region of unstable isotopes with a neutron excess. The evolution of calculated single-particle spectra and occupation probabilities of single-particle orbits corresponds to formation of magic features in Cd isotopes with N = 50, 82. The results from calculations agree with the concept that the ¹⁷⁴Cd isotope with N = 126 forms the end of the peninsula at the neutron drip line.     

传统中子幻数稳定性的研究

在考虑了BCS理论的相对论平均场模型框架内,通过系统研究N=8,20,28,50,82和126六条同中子素链中每个元素费米面附近的单粒子能级间隔、粒子数占有概率比以及原子核体系的粒子数偏离随质子数的变化规律,讨论了传统中子幻数的壳结构在从中子滴线区到质子滴线区整个核谱上的稳定性,预言只有在轻核的丰中子区域,传统的中子幻数效应才可能消失,并把计算结果和最近的文献报道作了比较. 关键词： 相对论平均场模型 能级间隔 占有概率 粒子数偏离     

Measurement of the interaction cross-section and related topics

Recent experimental results concerning interaction cross-sections ( σ_I) are reviewed. The σ_I values were measured by a transmission method using the fragment separator at GSI. The σ_I values for B, C, N, O and F isotopes and the recently measured σ_I for Ar are presented. As related topics, an analysis by the recently developed Glauber model for a few-body system is introduced. By using this analysis, the effective density distributions for light neutron-rich nuclei can be deduced. The recently shown magic number N = 16 near to the neutron drip line is also discussed. Received: 1 May 2001 / Accepted: 4 December 2001     

The surface diffuseness and the spin-orbital splitting in relativistic continuum Hartree-Bogoliubov theory

The relativistic continuum Hartree-Bogoliubov (RCHB) theory, which is the extension of the relativistic mean field and the Bogoliubov transformation in the coordinate representation, has been used to study tin isotopes. The pairing correlation is taken into account by a density-dependent force of zero range. The RCHB theory is used to describe the even-even tin isotopes all the way from the proton drip line to the neutron drip line. The contribution of the continuum which is important for nuclei near the drip-line has been taken into account. The theoretical S_2n as well as the neutron, proton, and matter rms radii are presented and compared with the experimental values where they exist. The change of the potential surface with the neutron number has been investigated. The diffuseness of the potentials in tin isotopes is analyzed through the spin-orbital splitting in order to provide new way to understand the halo phenomena in exotic nuclei. The systematic of the isospin and energy dependence of these results are extracted and analyzed.     

Proton magic even-even isotopes and giant halos of Ca isotopes with relativistic continuum Hartree-Bogoliubov theory

We study the proton magic O, Ca, Ni, Zr, Sn, and Pb isotope chains from the proton drip line to the neutron drip line with the relativistic continuum Hartree-Bogoliubov (RCHB) theory. Particulary, we study in detail the properties of even-even Ca isotopes due to the appearance of giant halos in neutron rich Ca nuclei near the neutron drip line. The RCHB theory is able to reproduce the experimental binding energiesE _b and two neutron separation energiesS _2n very well. The predicted neutron drip line nuclei are²⁸O,⁷²Ca,⁹⁸Ni,¹³⁶Zr,¹⁷⁶Sn, and²⁶⁶Pb. Halo and giant halo properties predicted in Ca isotopes withA>60 are investigated in detail through analysis of two neutron separation energies, nucleon density distributions, single particle energy levels, and the occupation probabilities of energy levels including continuum states. The spin-orbit splitting and the diffuseness of nuclear potential in these Ca isotopes, as well as the neighboring lighter isotopes in the drip line Ca region and find certain possibilities of giant halo nuclei in the Ne−Na−Mg drip line nuclei are also studied.     

Peninsulas of the neutron stability of nuclei in the vicinity of neutron magic numbers

On the basis of the Hartree-Fock method as implemented with Skyrme forces (Ska, SkM*, Sly4, and SkI2) and with allowance for an axial deformation and nucleon pairing in the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer approximation, the properties of extremely neutron-rich even-even nuclei were calculated beyond the neutron drip line known earlier from theoretical calculations. It was shown that the chains of isotopes beyond the neutron drip line that contain N = 32, 58, 82, 126, and 184 neutrons form peninsulas of nuclei stable against the emission of one neutron and, in some cases, peninsulas of nuclei stable against the emission of two neutrons. The neutron- and proton-density distributions in nuclei forming stability peninsulas were found to be spherically symmetric. A mechanism via which the stability of nuclei might be restored beyond the neutron drip line was discussed. A comparison with the results of calculations by the Hartree-Fock-Bogolyubov method was performed for long chains of sulfur and gadolinium isotopes up to the neutron drip line.     

超重核的壳结构

在相对论连续谱Hartree Bogoliubov(RCHB)理论框架下,在质子数Z=100—140和中子数N=Z+30—2Z+32等偶偶核中进行了超重球形双幻核的探索.采用的有效相互作用为NL1,NL3,NLSH,TM1,TW 99,DD ME1,PK1和PK1R.基于对双核子分离能(S2p和S2n)、双核子能隙(δ2p和δ2n)、壳修正能量(Epshell)、对能(Eppair和Enpair)和有效对能隙(Δp和Δn)等物理量和能shell和En级结构的分析,预言了可能的质子幻数和中子幻数,并观察到在超重核区壳的弱化现象. The magic proton and neutron numbers are searched in the superheavy region with proton number Z=100 —140 and neutron number N=(Z+30) — (2Z+32) by the relativistic continuum Hartree-Bogoliubov (RCHB) theory with interactions NL1, NL3, NLSH, TM1, TW99, DD-ME1, PK1, and PK1R. Based on the two-nucleon separation energies S_(2p )and S_(2n) , the two-nucleon gaps δ_(2p) and δ_(2n), the shell correction energies E~p_(shell) and E~n_(shell), the pairing energies E~p_(pair) and E~n_(pair), and...     

Collisional dark matter and the origin of massive black holes

If the cosmological dark matter is primarily in the form of an elementary particle which has mass m(p) and cross section for self-interaction sigma, then seed black holes (formed in stellar collapse) will grow in a Hubble time t(H) due to accretion of the dark matter to a mass, M(H) = sqrt[IC(9)(A)t(H)(sigma/G(3)m(p)c(2))] = 7.1x10(6)(sigma/m(p))(1/2)V(9/2)(c)t(1/2)(H,15) solar masses. Here I is a numerical factor, C(A) the galactic velocity dispersion, and V(c) its rotation velocity. For the same values of ( sigma/m(p)) that are attractive with respect to other cosmological desiderata, this produces massive black holes in the (10(6)-10(9))M( middle dot in circle) range observed, with the same dependence on a V(c) seen, and with a time dependence consistent with observations. Other astrophysical consequences of collisional dark matter and tests of the idea are noted.     

Halo and skin nuclei

The changes in nuclear structure far from the stability line are reviewed for light nuclei. The basic concepts of neutron and proton skins and neutron halos are presented with several experimental data. Signatures of new mode of collective excitation as consequences of such exotic structures are also shown. These changes of structure point to the need for the detailed study of single-particle orbitals for unstable nuclei. Such recent studies, in particular, the spectroscopic information of halo states, are reviewed. Changes of neutron orbital ordering away from the stability line are observed from such studies. Its most profound implication has emerged in the change of magic numbers. An over view of magic number variation is presented. To cite this article: I. Tanihata, R. Kanungo, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

Neutron single-particle structure of molybdenum isotopes within the dispersive optical model

The evolution of neutron single-particle spectra in molybdenum isotopes was calculated on the basis of the dispersive optical model over the region extending from stable isotopes to the neutron drip line. The question of how the dependence of surface absorption on the neutron–proton asymmetry and the weakening of spin–orbit interaction affect the single-particle spectra in question is studied. The results agree with the concept according to which the shell effect becomes weaker near the neutron drip line.