Empirical formula for β~--decay half-lives of r-process nuclei

Experimental data ofβ--decay half-lives of nuclei with atomic number between 20 and 190 are investigated.A systematic formula has been proposed to calculateβ~--decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclei,with a particular consideration on shell and pair effects,the decay energy Q as well as the nucleon numbers(Z,N).Although the formula has relatively few parameters,it reproduces the experimentalβ~--decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclei very well.The predicted half-lives for the r-process relevant nuclei obtained with the current formula serve as reliable input in the r-process model calculations.     

Exploring the uncertainties in theoretical predictions of nuclear β-decay half-lives

Nuclear β-decay half-lives are predicted based on an empirical formula and the mass predictions from various nuclear models.It is found that the empirical formula can reproduce the nuclearβ-decay half-lives well,especially for short-lived nuclei with T_1/2<1s.The theoretical half-life uncertainties fromβ-decay energies and the parameters of the empirical formula are further investigated.It is found that the uncertainties of the half-lives are relatively large for heavy nuclei and nuclei near the neutron-drip line.For nuclei on the r-process path,the uncertainties for those with N=126 are about one order of magnitude,which are much larger than the uncertainties for those with N=50 and 82.However,theoretical uncertainties from the parameters of the empirical formula are relatively small for the nuclei on the r-process path,which indicates that the empirical formula is very suitable for predicting theβ-decay half-lives in r-process simulations.     

Skyrme张量相互作用对可能的等待点原子核β衰变半衰期的影响(英文)

使用基于Skyrme相互作用的HFB+QRPA模型研究N~82和126的同中子异位素链的β-衰变的半衰期。在计算中所使用的张量相互作用和同位旋标量（IS）对相互作用都是很好地被约束了的。比较了张量相互作用和IS对相互作用对半衰期的影响。IS对相互作用的强度与相应的同位旋矢量（IV）对相互作用的强度相当时,对N~82和126的同中子异位素链中有大的中子过剩的原子核的半衰期影响很微弱。而张量相互作用采用最近约束的强度时对半衰期的影响非常显著。The β-decay half-lives of N ~ 80 and 126 isotonic chains are calculated with HFB+QRPA models based on Skyrme force. In the calculations, the well constrained Skyrme tensor interaction and isoscalar spin-triplet (IS) pairing interaction are included so that to study their effects on the half-lives. The effects of tensor interaction and IS pairing interaction on the half-lives are compared. The IS pairing interaction with strength similar to that of isovector (IV) one produces only a trivial effect in N ~82 nuclei, and N ~126 nuclei with big neutron excess. While the tensor interaction with presently constrained strengths produces an obvious effect.     

基于两势方法系统研究壳结构对原子核α衰变的影响

基于两势方法（two-potential-approach,TPA）系统研究了偶-偶核、奇-A核和奇-奇核α衰变半衰期。为了考虑原子核的壳结构的影响而导致的实验半衰期与计算结果之间的偏差,引入了与α结团形成概率相关的禁戒因子和预形成因子。结合前期相关工作[X.D.Sun et al.,Phys.Rev.C 93,034316（2016）;X.D.Sun et al.,Phys.Rev.C 95,014319（2017）;X.D.Sun et al.,Phys.Rev.C 95,044303（2017）],考虑到壳效应对α粒子预形成的影响,通过分析α衰变半衰期的实验数据,拟合得到了α粒子预形成因子/禁戒因子修正公式的参数,得到了α衰变预形成因子/禁戒因子的计算结果,证实了壳效应及质子-中子相互作用在α结团形成过程中起着重要的作用,离壳越近预形成概率越小离壳越远预形成概率越大。In the present work, the α decay half-lives are systematically studied within the two-potentialapproach for even-even nuclei, odd-A nuclei and odd-odd nuclei. To describe the deviations between experimental half-lives and calculated results due to the nuclear shell structure, α preformation factor and hindrance factor related with α cluster preformation probability are introduced. It is consistent with our previous works[X. D. Sun et al., Phys. Rev. C 93, 034316 (2016); X. D. Sun et al., Phys. Rev. C 95, 014319 (2017); X. D. Sun et al., Phys. Rev. C 95, 044303 (2017)]. Considering the shell effect on the preformation of α and by analyzing the experimental data of the α decay half-lives, the parameters of the α preformation factor/hindrance factor correction formula are obtained. we confirm that the shell effect and the proton-neutron correlation play key roles in the α preformation where the preformation probability near the shell is less than the preformation probability far from the shell.     

β~--Decay Half-Lives for Waiting Point Nuclei Around N=126

We have systematically analyzed the experimental β--decay half-lives of waiting point heavy nuclei around neutron number N = 126. A new set of parameters for the exponential formula of β~--decay half-lives is proposed. The forbidden transition effects are included in the new set of parameters self-consistently. Theoretical β~--decay half-lives of nuclei around N = 126 are compared with recent theoretical results and experimental data. It is found that the new theoretical results are in better agreement with experimental data. The unknown β~--decay half-lives of some nuclei in this region are predicted for studies on nuclear structure far from stability and the nucleosynthesis in stars.     

Competition between α-decay and β-decay for heavy and superheavy nuclei

In this work, the β-stable region for Z 90 is proposed based on a successful binding energy formula.The calculated β-stable nuclei in the β-stable region are in good agreement with the ones obtained by Mo¨ller et al. The half-lives of the nuclei close to the β-stable region are calculated and the competition between α-decay andβ-decay is systematically investigated. The calculated half-lives and the suggested decay modes are well in line with the experimental results. The decay modes are mostly β--decay above the β-stable region. Especially for Z 111,all the decay modes are β--decay. Regarding the nuclei above the β-stable region, α-decay and β--decay(α+β-)can occur simultaneously when Z 112. This is a very interesting phenomenon. The competition between α-decay and β-decay is very complex and drastic below the β-stable region. The predictions for half-lives and decay modes of the nuclei with Z =107–110 are presented in detail.     

Investigation of proton radioactivity with the effective liquid drop model

Proton radioactivity has been investigated using the effective liquid drop model with varying mass asymmetry shapes and effective inertial coefficients. An effective nuclear radius constant formula replaces the old empirical one in the calculations. The theoretical half-lives are in good agreement with the available experimental data. All the deviations between the calculated logarithmic half-lives and the experimental values are less than 0.8.The root-mean-square(rms) deviation is 0.523. Predictions for the half-lives of proton radioactivity are made for elements across the periodic table. From the theoretical results, there are 11 candidate nuclei for proton radioactivity in the region Z <51. In the region Z >83, no nuclei are suggested as probable candidate nuclei for proton radioactivity within the selected range of half-lives studied.     

理论预测超重核274-291Cn和266-287Ds的衰变模式

自发裂变和α衰变是影响超重核稳定性的两个主要因素。为了探索270Ds附近的长寿命的超重核,系统地计算了电荷数在104 ≤ Z ≤ 112范围内的α衰变与自发裂变之间的竞争。采用推广的液滴模型和唯象的解析公式计算了α衰变半衰期。基于包括壳效应和同位旋效应的WKB近似方法估算了相同超重核的自发裂变半衰期,进而预测了未知超重核274-276,279Cn与267-269Ds的衰变模式。The stability of superheavy nuclei (SHN) is controlled mainly by spontaneous fission and α decay processes. To investigate whether long lived SHN could really exist around 270Ds, the competition between α decay and spontaneous fission in the region 104 ≤ Z ≤ 112 are studied systematically. The α decay half-lives are investigated by employing a generalized liquid drop model (GLDM) and phenomenological analytical formula. Calculations of spontaneous fission half-lives for the same SHN are carried out based on the Wenzel-Kramers-Brillouin(WKB) approximation with both the shell effect and the isospin effect included. Decay modes are predicted for the unknown nuclei 274-276,279Cn and 267-269Ds.     

Systematical law of β+-decay half-lives of nuclei far from β-stable line

Experimental data of nuclear β⁺-decay half-lives are systematically analyzed and investigated. We present an exponential law between the half-life of β⁺-decay with the same forbiddenness and the nucleon number (Z,N) of parent nucleus far from the β-stable line. A formula with four parameters is proposed to describe the β⁺-decay half-lives of nuclei far from stability. Experimental β⁺-decay half-lives of the first and second forbidden transitions are well reproduced by this simple formula. The physics of the exponential law is related to the statistical properties of β⁺-decay far from β-stable line.     

在线同位素分离器和丰中子核β衰变

简要介绍了在线同位素分离器的原理以及在奇异核β衰变核谱学中的应用。着重介绍了芬兰Jyv（ae）skyl（ae）大学的离子制导型在线同位素分离器,并对在该装置上开展的丰中子Ag同位素的β^-衰变研究进行了综述。Isotope Separator on Line is briefly introduced with emphasis on the basic concept and features related to the production of exotic nuclei and β decay spectroscopy. The Ion Guide Isotope Separator on Line （IGISOL）at the University of Jyv（ae）skyl（ae）, Finland is presented in detail with experimental results on the decay of neutron-rich silver isotopes produced in proton induced symmetric fission.     

β-衰变中容许跃迁和禁戒跃迁的衰变规律

在考虑容许跃迁和禁戒跃迁的基础上, 对远离β稳定线附近原子核的β^-衰变寿命进行了系统的研究, 发现对于远离β稳定线的原子核的β^-衰变寿命, 其容许跃迁和禁戒跃迁寿命(T_1/2)与母核的质子数和中子数之间存在指数规律. 利用这个规律, 计算了β^-衰变中的容许跃迁和禁戒跃迁(包括一级禁戒跃迁和二级禁戒跃迁)的衰变寿命, 理论计算结果与实验值符合得很好. 在此基础上, 对于一些核素的β^-衰变寿命进行预言, 这对于核物理和天体物理中β^-衰变研究具有重要意义.     

Empirical formula for <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis><Superscript>−</Superscript>-decay half-lives of r-process nuclei

Experimental data of β ^?-decay half-lives of nuclei with atomic number between 20 and 190 are investigated. A systematic formula has been proposed to calculate β ^?-decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclei, with a particular consideration on shell and pair effects, the decay energy Q as well as the nucleon numbers (Z, N). Although the formula has relatively few parameters, it reproduces the experimental —decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclei very well. The predicted half-lives for the r-process relevant nuclei obtained with the current formula serve as reliable input in the r-process model calculations.     

等待点N=82附近核素β~-衰变寿命的研究

利用提出的远离稳定线附近的原子核β-衰变寿命的指数规律理论计算公式,对N=82附近快中子过程中等待点核素的β-衰变寿命进行了理论计算,比较了所获得的计算结果与最新的理论结果和实验结果并加以讨论.研究表明,相对于理论复杂和计算时间长的微观理论计算而言,利用考虑壳效应的远离稳定线的原子核β-衰变寿命指数规律理论计算公式能较快且准确地得出快中子俘获过程(R过程)等待点核素的β-衰变寿命.这能为R过程核素合成网络计算研究提供有效可靠的重要物理输入,并对今后天体中核素的合成研究具有重要意义.     

Simple Formula of β+-Decay Half-Lives of Nuclei Far From β-Stable Line

We generalize the formula of β⁺-decay half-lives [Phys. Rev. C 73 (2006) 014305] to include all available data of nuclei far from the β-stable line. Good agreement with experimental data is obtained by taking into account the even-odd (e-o) effect. It is shown that the e-o effect on β⁺-decay half-life is apparent for the allowed β⁺-transition, whereas it is not apparent for the first and second forbidden transitions. This demonstrates that the allowed β⁺-transition is more sensitive to the nuclear even-odd effect than the forbidden β⁺-transition. The underlying physics is discussed. This formula can be used to predict the β⁺-decay half-lives of the nuclei far from β-stability. It is useful to experimental physicists for analyzing the data of β⁺-decay.     

Beta decay rates for nuclei with 115<A<140 for r-process nucleosynthesis

For r-process nucleosynthesis the β-decay rates for a number of neutron-rich intermediate heavy nuclei are calculated. The model for the β-strength function is able to reproduce the observed half-lives quite well.     

The r-process of stellar nucleosynthesis: Astrophysics and nuclear physics achievements and mysteries

The r-process, or the rapid neutron-capture process, of stellar nucleosynthesis is called for to explain the production of the stable (and some long-lived radioactive) neutron-rich nuclides heavier than iron that are observed in stars of various metallicities, as well as in the solar system.

A very large amount of nuclear information is necessary in order to model the r-process. This concerns the static characteristics of a large variety of light to heavy nuclei between the valley of stability and the vicinity of the neutron-drip line, as well as their beta-decay branches or their reactivity. Fission probabilities of very neutron-rich actinides have also to be known in order to determine the most massive nuclei that have a chance to be involved in the r-process. Even the properties of asymmetric nuclear matter may enter the problem. The enormously challenging experimental and theoretical task imposed by all these requirements is reviewed, and the state-of-the-art development in the field is presented.

Nuclear-physics-based and astrophysics-free r-process models of different levels of sophistication have been constructed over the years. We review their merits and their shortcomings. The ultimate goal of r-process studies is clearly to identify realistic sites for the development of the r-process. Here too, the challenge is enormous, and the solution still eludes us. For long, the core collapse supernova of massive stars has been envisioned as the privileged r-process location. We present a brief summary of the one- or multidimensional spherical or non-spherical explosion simulations available to-date. Their predictions are confronted with the requirements imposed to obtain an r-process. The possibility of r-nuclide synthesis during the decompression of the matter of neutron stars following their merging is also discussed.

Given the uncertainties remaining on the astrophysical r-process site and on the involved nuclear physics, any confrontation between predicted r-process yields and observed abundances is clearly risky. A comparison dealing with observed r-nuclide abundances in very metal-poor stars and in the solar system is attempted on grounds of r-process models based on parametrised astrophysics conditions. The virtues of the r-process product actinides for dating old stars or the solar system are also critically reviewed.     

Neutron-rich isotopes around the r-process “waiting-point” nuclei 29 79 Cu50 and 30 80 Zn50

Beta-decay half-lives (T_1/2) and delayed-neutron emission probabilities (P_n) of very neutron-rich Cu to As nuclei have been measured, among them the new isotopes⁷⁷Cu₄₈,⁷⁹Cu₅₀,⁸¹Zn₅₁ and⁸⁴Ga₅₃. With the T_1/2 and P_n-values of now four N ～-50 ”waiting-point” nuclei known, our hypothesis that the r-process has attained a local β-flow equilibrium araound A～-80 is further strengthened.     

Beta-decay properties of strongly neutron-rich nuclei

Experimental β-strength functions for about 50 neutron-rich mass-separated fission products with half-lives between 0.8 s and 30 s have been obtained at the OSIRIS facility. The β-strength to excited states depopulating by delayed-neutron emission is evaluated separately. The β^? strength functions are found to increase strongly with excitation energy, which is in contrast to the approximately energy-independent β-strength found for EC decay. By using semiempirical values for the level density, the average transition rate per energy level was evaluated under the assumption that only allowed transitions contribute to the decay. This alternative way of analyzing the data gives a more uniform picture of the β-decay to highly excited states since the transition rates are found to be roughly independent of excitation energy (above the pairing energy). A model of constant transition rate to each final level is introduced and its systematic behaviour is studied. Its use for estimating half-lives of unmeasured nuclides is of value for calculations on nucleosynthesis by the “r-process”. (A listing of β-feed and β-strength functions is available on request.)