Evidence for a doubly magic O

The decay energy spectrum for neutron unbound states in ²⁴O (Z=8$Z=8$, N=16$N=16$) has been observed for the first time. The resonance energy of the lowest lying state, interpreted as the ²⁺$2^{+}$ level, has been observed at a decay energy above 600 keV. The resulting excitation energy of the ²⁺$2^{+}$ level above 4.7 MeV, supplies strong evidence that ²⁴O is a doubly magic nucleus. The data is also consistent with the presence of a second excited state around 5.33 MeV which can be interpreted as the ¹⁺$1^{+}$ level.     

Two-quasiparticle K-isomers and pairing strengths in the neutron-rich isotopes Er and Er

Isomeric two-quasiparticle states have been identified in the neutron-rich isotopes ¹⁷²Er and ¹⁷⁴Er using multi-nucleon transfer reactions with ¹³⁶Xe beams incident on various targets, and γ  -ray spectroscopy with Gammasphere. A candidate for the Kπ=⁶⁺$K^{\pi }=6^{+}$ two-quasineutron state in ¹⁷²Er is found at 1500 keV. In ¹⁷⁴Er, a nuclide whose level scheme was previously unknown, a long-lived isomer is identified at 1112 keV decaying via an inhibited E1 transition and revealing the yrast sequence of ¹⁷⁴Er. This isomer is proposed to be a Kπ=⁸⁻$K^{\pi }=8^{-}$ two-quasineutron state, defining a sequence in the N=106$N=106$ isotones extending from the well-deformed neutron-rich isotope ¹⁷⁴Er to the neutron-deficient isotope ¹⁸⁸Pb, where the presence of the isomer signifies a prolate minimum in an otherwise spherical well. Configuration-constrained potential-energy surface calculations are used to predict the excitation energies of the 6⁺ and 8⁻ intrinsic states and as a basis for extracting the pairing force strength, Gn$G_n$, in the N=104$N=104$ and N=106$N=106$ isotones.     

Direct evidence for the onset of intruder configurations in neutron-rich Ne isotopes

We report on direct experimental evidence of the population of the 3/²⁻$3/2^{-}$ intruder state in ²⁷Ne in the knockout of a single neutron from the ground state of ²⁸Ne. This low-lying negative parity state is consistent with a narrower shell gap for exotic nuclei with Z?N$Z?N$ and N≈20$N\approx 20$. Monte Carlo shell-model calculations with the modern SDPF-M interaction successfully describe neutron-rich nuclei in the vicinity of N=20$N=20$ where normal and intruder configurations coexist at low excitation energy. This observation demonstrates the importance of direct reactions for the study of exotic nuclei and the predictive power of these large-scale shell-model calculations.     

On the decrease in charge radii of multi-quasi particle isomers

We report changes in mean-square charge radii, δ〈r²〉$\delta 〈r^2〉$, magnetic moments and quadrupole moments for three multi-quasi particle isomers; ^97m2Y, ^176mYb and ^178m1Hf. All the isomers are observed to display a decrease in 〈r²〉$〈r^2〉$ compared to the lower-lying nuclear state on which the isomer is built. The decreases in 〈r²〉$〈r^2〉$ occur despite the isomers showing increases in quadrupole moment. Possible mechanisms for the effect, which is now seen for six multi-quasi particle isomers, are discussed.     

Weak mirror symmetry of complex symplectic Lie algebras

A complex symplectic structure on a Lie algebra h$\mathfrak{h}$ is an integrable complex structure J$J$ with a closed non-degenerate (2,0)$(2,0)$-form. It is determined by J$J$ and the real part Ω$\Omega$ of the (2,0)$(2,0)$-form. Suppose that h$\mathfrak{h}$ is a semi-direct product g?V$\mathfrak{g}?V$, and both g$\mathfrak{g}$ and V$V$ are Lagrangian with respect to Ω$\Omega$ and totally real with respect to J$J$. This note shows that g?V$\mathfrak{g}?V$ is its own weak mirror image in the sense that the associated differential Gerstenhaber algebras controlling the extended deformations of Ω$\Omega$ and J$J$ are isomorphic.     

Chaotic inflation,radiative corrections and precision cosmology

We employ chaotic (?²${?}^2$ and ?⁴${?}^4$) inflation to illustrate the important role radiative corrections can play during the inflationary phase. Yukawa interactions of ?  , in particular, lead to corrections of the form −κ?⁴ln(?/μ)$-\kappa {?}^4\ln (?/\mu )$, where κ>0$\kappa >0$ and μ   is a renormalization scale. For instance, ?⁴${?}^4$ chaotic inflation with radiative corrections looks compatible with the most recent WMAP (5 year) analysis, in sharp contrast to the tree level case. We obtain the 95% confidence limits 2.4×¹⁰⁻¹⁴?κ?5.7×¹⁰⁻¹⁴$2.4\times {10}^{\mathrm{-14}}?\kappa ?5.7\times {10}^{\mathrm{-14}}$, 0.931?ns?0.958$0.931?n_s?0.958$ and 0.038?r?0.205$0.038?r?0.205$, where ns$n_s$ and r   respectively denote the scalar spectral index and scalar to tensor ratio. The limits for ?²${?}^2$ inflation are κ?7.7×¹⁰⁻¹⁵$\kappa ?7.7\times {10}^{\mathrm{-15}}$, 0.929?ns?0.966$0.929?n_s?0.966$ and 0.023?r?0.135$0.023?r?0.135$. The next round of precision experiments should provide a more stringent test of realistic chaotic ?²${?}^2$ and ?⁴${?}^4$ inflation.     

First-order density matrices in one dimension for independent fermions and impenetrable bosons in harmonic traps

To complement existing knowledge of the density matrix γF(x,y)${\gamma }_{\mathrm{F}}(x,y)$ of independent fermions for N   particles in one dimension under harmonic confinement, the corresponding matrix γIB(x,y)${\gamma }_{\mathrm{IB}}(x,y)$ for impenetrable bosons is given for N=2$N=2$ and 3 (with the N=4$N=4$ form available also). For fermions the momentum density is then obtained and illustrated numerically for N=10$N=10$. The boson momentum density is studied analytically at high momentum p  , the coefficients of the p⁻⁴$p^{\mathrm{-4}}$ and p⁻⁶$p^{\mathrm{-6}}$ terms being tabulated for N=2–5$N=2\text{–}5$ inclusive. Their dependence on powers of N   is exhibited numerically. Finally, the functional relationship between γIB(x,y)${\gamma }_{\mathrm{IB}}(x,y)$ and γF(x,y)${\gamma }_{\mathrm{F}}(x,y)$ is formally set out and illustrated.     

Vortices and Jacobian varieties

We investigate the geometry of the moduli space of N$N$ vortices on line bundles over a closed Riemann surface Σ$\Sigma$ of genus g>1$g>1$, in the little explored situation where 1≤N<g$1\le N<g$. In the regime where the area of the surface is just large enough to accommodate N$N$ vortices (which we call the dissolving limit), we describe the relation between the geometry of the moduli space and the complex geometry of the Jacobian variety of Σ$\Sigma$. For N=1$N=1$, we show that the metric on the moduli space converges to a natural Bergman metric on Σ$\Sigma$. When N>1$N>1$, the vortex metric typically degenerates as the dissolving limit is approached, the degeneration occurring precisely on the critical locus of the Abel–Jacobi map of Σ$\Sigma$ at degree N$N$. We describe consequences of this phenomenon from the point of view of multivortex dynamics.     

Cross sections for (d–t) neutron interaction with germanium isotopes

The cross sections for (n,x)$(n,x)$ reactions with Ge isotopes were measured at (d–t) neutron energies around 14 MeV with the activation technique using metal discs of natural composition. Calculations of detector efficiency, incident neutron spectrum and correction factors were performed with the Monte Carlo technique (MCNP4C code). Cross sections data are presented for ⁷⁰Ge(n,2n$n,2n$)⁶⁹Ge, ⁷⁴Ge(n,α$n,\alpha$)^71mZn, ⁷⁶Ge(n,2n$n,2n$)^75(m + g)Ge, ⁷⁰Ge(n,p$n,p$)⁷⁰Ga and ⁷²Ge(n,2n$n,2n$)^71gGe reactions. The cross section results for ⁷²Ge(n,2n$n,2n$)^71gGe reaction were reported for the first time. Some other cross sections were obtained with higher precision, including the ⁷⁰Ge(n,p$n,p$)⁷⁰Ga reaction. Theoretical calculations of excitation functions were performed with the TALYS-1.0 code and compared with the experimental cross section values. Data were included in the EXFOR database.     

Entanglement entropy and variational methods: Interacting scalar fields

We develop a variational approximation to the entanglement entropy for scalar ?⁴${?}^4$ theory in 1+1$1+1$, 2+1$2+1$, and 3+1$3+1$ dimensions, and then examine the entanglement entropy as a function of the coupling. We find that in 1+1$1+1$ and 2+1$2+1$ dimensions, the entanglement entropy of ?⁴${?}^4$ theory as a function of coupling is monotonically decreasing and convex. While ?⁴${?}^4$ theory with positive bare coupling in 3+1$3+1$ dimensions is thought to lead to a trivial free theory, we analyze a version of ?⁴${?}^4$ with infinitesimal negative bare coupling, an asymptotically free theory known as precarious  ?⁴${?}^4$ theory, and explore the monotonicity and convexity of its entanglement entropy as a function of coupling. Within the variational approximation, the stability of precarious ?⁴${?}^4$ theory is related to the sign of the first and second derivatives of the entanglement entropy with respect to the coupling.     

Bertrand curves in the three-dimensional sphere

A curve α$\alpha$ immersed in the three-dimensional sphere S³${\mathbb{S}}^3$ is said to be a Bertrand curve if there exists another curve β$\beta$ and a one-to-one correspondence between α$\alpha$ and β$\beta$ such that both curves have common principal normal geodesics at corresponding points. The curves α$\alpha$ and β$\beta$ are said to be a pair of Bertrand curves in S³${\mathbb{S}}^3$. One of our main results is a sort of theorem for Bertrand curves in S³${\mathbb{S}}^3$ which formally agrees with the classical one: “Bertrand curves in S³${\mathbb{S}}^3$ correspond to curves for which there exist two constants λ≠0$\lambda \ne 0$ and μ$\mu$ such that λκ+μτ=1$\lambda \kappa +\mu \tau =1$”, where κ$\kappa$ and τ$\tau$ stand for the curvature and torsion of the curve; in particular, general helices in the 3-sphere introduced by M. Barros are Bertrand curves. As an easy application of the main theorem, we characterize helices in S³${\mathbb{S}}^3$ as the only twisted curves in S³${\mathbb{S}}^3$ having infinite Bertrand conjugate curves. We also find several relationships between Bertrand curves in S³${\mathbb{S}}^3$ and (1,3)-Bertrand curves in R⁴${\mathbb{R}}^4$.     

Evidence for particle–hole excitations in the triaxial strongly-deformed well of Tm

Two interacting, strongly-deformed triaxial (TSD) bands have been identified in the Z=69$Z=69$ nucleus ¹⁶³Tm. This is the first time that interacting TSD bands have been observed in an element other than the Z=71$Z=71$ Lu nuclei, where wobbling bands have been previously identified. The observed TSD bands in ¹⁶³Tm appear to be associated with particle–hole excitations, rather than wobbling. Tilted-axis cranking (TAC) calculations reproduce all experimental observables of these bands reasonably well and also provide an explanation for the presence of wobbling bands in the Lu nuclei, and their absence in the Tm isotopes.     

Zero finite-temperature charge stiffness within the half-filled 1D Hubbard model

Even though the one-dimensional (1D) Hubbard model is solvable by the Bethe ansatz, at half-filling its finite-temperature T>0$T>0$ transport properties remain poorly understood. In this paper we combine that solution with symmetry to show that within that prominent T=0$T=0$ 1D insulator the charge stiffness D(T)$D\left(T\right)$ vanishes for T>0$T>0$ and finite values of the on-site repulsion U$U$ in the thermodynamic limit. This result is exact and clarifies a long-standing open problem. It rules out that at half-filling the model is an ideal conductor in the thermodynamic limit. Whether at finite T$T$ and U>0$U>0$ it is an ideal insulator or a normal resistor remains an open question. That at half-filling the charge stiffness is finite at U=0$U=0$ and vanishes for U>0$U>0$ is found to result from a general transition from a conductor to an insulator or resistor occurring at U=U_c=0$U=U_c=0$ for all finite temperatures T>0$T>0$. (At T=0$T=0$ such a transition is the quantum metal to Mott-Hubbard-insulator transition.) The interplay of the η$\eta$-spin SU(2)$SU\left(2\right)$ symmetry with the hidden U(1)$U\left(1\right)$ symmetry beyond SO(4)$SO\left(4\right)$ is found to play a central role in the unusual finite-temperature charge transport properties of the 1D half-filled Hubbard model.     

The first Chevalley–Eilenberg Cohomology group of the Lie algebra on the transverse bundle of a decreasing family of foliations

In [L. Lebtahi, Lie algebra on the transverse bundle of a decreasing family of foliations, J. Geom. Phys. 60 (2010), 122–133], we defined the transverse bundle V^k$V^k$ to a decreasing family of k$k$ foliations _Fi$F_i$ on a manifold M$M$. We have shown that there exists a (1,1)$(1,1)$ tensor J$J$ of V^k$V^k$ such that J^k≠0$J^k\ne 0$, J^k+1=0$J^{k+1}=0$ and we defined by _LJ(V^k)$L_J\left(V^k\right)$ the Lie Algebra of vector fields X$X$ on V^k$V^k$ such that, for each vector field Y$Y$ on V^k$V^k$, [X,JY]=J[X,Y]$[X,JY]=J[X,Y]$.     

Superconducting cosmic strings and one dimensional extended supersymmetric algebras

In this article we study in detail the supersymmetric structures that underlie the system of fermionic zero modes around a superconducting cosmic string. Particularly, we extend the analysis existing in the literature on the one dimensional N=2$N=2$ supersymmetry and we find multiple N=2$N=2$, d=1$d=1$ supersymmetries. In addition, compact perturbations of the Witten index of the system are performed and we find to which physical situations these perturbations correspond. More importantly, we demonstrate that there exists a much more rich supersymmetric structure underlying the system of fermions with N_f$N_f$ flavors and these are N$N$-extended supersymmetric structures with non-trivial topological charges, with “N$N$” depending on the fermion flavors.     

Three PT-symmetric Hamiltonians with completely different spectra

We discuss three Hamiltonians, each with a central-field part H₀$H_0$ and a PT-symmetric perturbation igz$igz$. When H₀$H_0$ is the isotropic Harmonic oscillator the spectrum is real for all g$g$ because H$H$ is isospectral to H₀+g²/2$H_0+g^2/2$. When H₀$H_0$ is the Hydrogen atom then infinitely many eigenvalues are complex for all g$g$. If the potential in H₀$H_0$ is linear in the radial variable r$r$ then the spectrum of H$H$ exhibits real eigenvalues for 0<g<g_c$0<g<g_c$ and a PT phase transition at g_c$g_c$.     

A separation property for magnetic Schrödinger operators on Riemannian manifolds

We consider a Schrödinger differential expression L=_ΔA+q$L={\Delta }_A+q$ on a complete Riemannian manifold (M,g)$(M,g)$ with metric g$g$, where _ΔA${\Delta }_A$ is the magnetic Laplacian on M$M$ and q≥0$q\ge 0$ is a locally square integrable function on M$M$. In the terminology of W.N. Everitt and M. Giertz, the differential expression L$L$ is said to be separated in L²(M)$L^2\left(M\right)$ if for all u∈L²(M)$u\in L^2\left(M\right)$ such that Lu∈L²(M)$Lu\in L^2\left(M\right)$, we have qu∈L²(M)$qu\in L^2\left(M\right)$. We give sufficient conditions for L$L$ to be separated in L²(M)$L^2\left(M\right)$.     

Is space-time symmetry a suitable generalization of parity-time symmetry?

We discuss space-time symmetric Hamiltonian operators of the form H=H₀+igH^′$H=H_0+ig{H}^{\prime }$, where H₀$H_0$ is Hermitian and g$g$ real. H₀$H_0$ is invariant under the unitary operations of a point group G$G$ while H^′$H^{\prime }$ is invariant under transformation by elements of a subgroup G^′$G^{\prime }$ of G$G$. If G$G$ exhibits irreducible representations of dimension greater than unity, then it is possible that H$H$ has complex eigenvalues for sufficiently small nonzero values of g$g$. In the particular case that H$H$ is parity-time symmetric then it appears to exhibit real eigenvalues for all 0<g<g_c$0<g<g_c$, where g_c$g_c$ is the exceptional point closest to the origin. Point-group symmetry and perturbation theory enable one to predict whether H$H$ may exhibit real or complex eigenvalues for g>0$g>0$. We illustrate the main theoretical results and conclusions of this paper by means of two- and three-dimensional Hamiltonians exhibiting a variety of different point-group symmetries.     

Rational r-matrices,higher rank Lie algebras and integrable proton–neutron BCS models

We study integrable cases of pairing BCS hamiltonians containing several types of fermions. We prove that there exist three classes of such integrable models associated with classical rational r  -matrices and Lie algebras gl(2m)$\mathit{gl}(2m)$, sp(2m)$\mathit{sp}(2m)$ and so(2m)$\mathit{so}(2m)$ correspondingly. We diagonalize the constructed hamiltonians by means of the algebraic Bethe ansatz. In the partial case of two types of fermions (m=2$m=2$) the obtained models may be interpreted as N=Z$N=Z$ proton–neutron integrable models. In particular, in the case of sp(4)$\mathit{sp}(4)$ we recover the famous integrable proton–neutron model of Richardson.