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A method to describe spectra starting from nuclear density functionals is explored. The idea is based on postulating an effective Hamiltonian that reproduces the stiffness associated with collective modes. The method defines a simple form of such an effective Hamiltonian and a mapping to go from a density functional to the corresponding Hamiltonian. In order to test the method, the Hamiltonian is constrained using a Skyrme functional and solved with the generator-coordinate method to describe low-lying levels and electromagnetic transitions in $^{48,49,50,52}$Cr and $^{24}$Mg., 16 pages, 14 figures and one table

The so-called super-short fission mode, in which a nucleus divides nearly symmetrically into two unusually energetic fragments, competes favorably with the standard asymmetric fission mode for spontaneous fission of a limited number of nuclei near 264Fm but it quickly fades away at finite excitations. We investigate the energy-dependent competition between those two fission modes for even fermium isotopes from 254Fm to 268Fm, using the Metropolis method to simulate the strongly damped fission dynamics being driven by shape- and energy-dependent level densities. The origin of the super-short mode is discussed and its effects on the fragment mass distribution, the total fragment kinetic energy, and the neutron multiplicity are calculated. Generally good agreement with the available data is obtained.

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 elements, namely ^{282}Cn. Spectroscopy of ^{288}Fl decay chains fixed Q_{α}=10.06(1) MeV. In one case, a Q_{α}=9.46(1)-MeV decay from ^{284}Cn into ^{280}Ds was observed, with ^{280}Ds fissioning after only 518 μs. The impact of these findings, aggregated with existing data on decay chains of ^{286,288}Fl, on the size of an anticipated shell gap at proton number Z=114 is discussed in light of predictions from two beyond-mean-field calculations, which take into account triaxial deformation.

We calculate neutron multiplicities from fission fragments with specified mass numbers for events having a specified total fragment kinetic energy. The shape evolution from the initial compound nucleus to the scission configurations is obtained with the Metropolis walk method on the five-dimensional potential-energy landscape, calculated with the macroscopic-microscopic method for the three-quadratic-surface shape family. Shape-dependent microscopic level densities are used to guide the random walk, to partition the intrinsic excitation energy between the two proto-fragments at scission, and to determine the spectrum of the neutrons evaporated from the fragments. The contributions to the total excitation energy of the resulting fragments from statistical excitation and shape distortion at scission is studied. Good agreement is obtained with available experimental data on neutron multiplicities in correlation with fission fragments from $^{235}$U(n$_{\rm th}$,f). At higher neutron energies a superlong fission mode appears which affects the dependence of the observables on the total fragment kinetic energy., Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures

High-spin states in Xe-123 were populated in the Se-80(Ca-48, 5n) Xe-123 reaction at a beam energy of 207 MeV. gamma-ray coincidence events were recorded with the Gammasphere spectrometer. Four new high-spin bands have been discovered in this nucleus. The bands are compared with those calculated within the framework of cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky and cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky-Bogoliubov models. It is concluded that the configurations of the bands involve two-proton excitations across the Z = 50 as well as excitation of neutrons across the N = 82 shell gaps resulting in a large deformation, epsilon(2) approximate to 0.30 and gamma approximate to 5 degrees.

In this letter we present a new expression for the overlaps of wavefunctions in Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov based theories. Starting from the Pfaffian formula by Bertsch et al (Phys. Rev. Lett. 108,042505 (2012)), an exact and computationally stable formula for overlaps is derived. We illustrate the convenience of this new formulation with a numerical application in the context of the particle-number projection method. This new formula allows for substantially increased precision and versatility in chemical, atomic, and nuclear physics applications, particularly for methods dealing with superfluidity, symmetry restoration and uses of non-orthogonal many-body basis states., Accepted for publication in Phys Rev Lett

The transformation of an atomic nucleus into two excited fission fragments is modeled as a strongly damped evolution of the nuclear shape. As in previous studies, it is assumed that the division of mass and charge is frozen in at a critical neck radius of c0=2.5fm. In order to also determine the energetics, we follow the system further until scission occurs at a smaller neck radius, at which point the shapes of the proto-fragments are extracted. The statistical energy available at scission is then divided on the basis of the respective microscopic level densities. This approach takes account of important (and energy-dependent) finite-size effects. After the fragments have been fully accelerated and their shapes have relaxed to their equilibrium forms, they undergo sequential neutron evaporation. The dependence of the resulting mean neutron multiplicity on the fragment mass, ν¯(A), including the dependence on the initial excitation energy of the fissioning compound nucleus, agrees reasonably well with observations, as demonstrated here for $^{235}$U(n,f), and the sawtooth appearance of ν¯(A) can be understood from shell-structure effects in the level densities.

The macroscopic-microscopic finite-range droplet model is combined with a particle-rotor coupling model in order to systematically describe low-energy spectra of odd-odd nuclei. The odd proton and neutron are allowed to interact through effective nuclear forces representing the residual neutron-proton interaction. In particular, ground-state spins and parities are calculated and compared to data, where all 268 axially symmetric nuclei which have reliable spin and parity assignments in the Nubase 2016 database are considered. Using a residual neutron-proton interaction composed of both central and tensor terms the agreement with experimental ground-state spins and parities reaches 41% for spherical nuclei and 31% for deformed nuclei. The model is applied to study possible α-decay chains in superdeformed odd-odd nuclei, and Qα values are calculated considering favored decay-paths as compared to ground-state paths.

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 calculations. We have computed the NC cross sections for (anti)neutrino energies up to 100 MeV and estimated the nuclear responses to supernova (anti)neutrinos by folding the obtained cross sections by suitably parametrized Fermi-Dirac distributions of energies of the incoming (anti)neutrinos. We compare our results with results of earlier studies in the case of Pb208, which is the only lead isotope where earlier calculations are available. (Less)

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 channel 289115 due to the fact that these recoil-α-α-fission events were observed only at low excitation energies. Contrary to this interpretation, we suggest that some of these recoil-α-α-fission decay chains, as well as some of the recoil-α-α-fission and recoil-α-fission decay chains reported from Berkeley and in this article, start from the 3n-evaporation channel 288115.

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.

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 nuclear structure are drawn from the experimental data, aided by Geant4 simulations and a discussion on theoretical calculations. (Less)

At low excitation energies seniority-zero states dominate the level density of K = 0 bands in deformed even even nuclei, while they play no role at higher excitation energies. We describe the level densities in a Fermi-gas model as well as in a combinatorial level-density model and compare to detailed experimental data for some rare-earth nuclei. An explanation is provided for recent observations of an odd even staggering in the spin-distribution function as an effect of r-symmetry of wave functions for deformed nuclei. The structure of 0(+) states in deformed nuclei is discussed in the model and compared to data, stressing the role of the seniority quantum number. The Fermi-gas model is utilized to obtain an overview of the odd even staggering phenomenon in other mass regions. Odd even staggering in spherical nuclei, appearing in open-shell nuclei, is briefly discussed as caused by fermion exchange symmetry. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (Less)

© 2017 American Physical Society. By combining microscopically calculated level densities with the Metropolis walk method, we develop a consistent framework for treating the energy and angular-momentum dependence of the nuclear shape evolution in the fission process. For each nucleus under consideration, the level density is calculated microscopically for each of more than five million shapes with a recently developed combinatorial method. The method employs the same single-particle levels as those used for the extraction of the pairing and shell contributions to the macroscopic-microscopic potential-energy surface. Containing no new parameters, the treatment is suitable for elucidating the energy dependence of the dynamics of warm nuclei on pairing and shell effects. It is illustrated for the fission fragment mass distribution for several uranium and plutonium isotopes of particular interest.

A pair of rotational bands associated with the pi h(9/2) circle times nu i(13/2)(-1) configuration at lower spins and with the pi h(9/2) circle times nu i(13/2)(-3) configuration at higher spins is found in Tl-194. The two 4-quasiparticle bands show exceptionally close near-degeneracy in the excitation energies. Furthermore close similarity is also found in their alignments and B(M1)/B(E2) reduced transition probability ratios. Such close near-degeneracy probably indicates chiral geometry in the angular momentum space. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

More than a decade ago we published a calculation of nuclear ground-state masses and deformations in Atomic Data and Nuclear Data Tables [P. Moller, J.R. Nix, W.D. Myers, W.J. Swiatecki, At. Data Nucl. Data Tables 59 (1995) 185]. In this study, triaxial nuclear shapes were not considered. We have now enhanced our model and studied the influence of triaxial shape degrees of freedom on the nuclear ground-state potential-energy (mass) and ground-state shape. It turns out that a few hundred nuclei are affected to a varying degree with the largest effect, about 0.7 MeV, occurring near Ru-108. We provide here a table of the calculated effects of triaxial shape degrees of freedom. Although axial-asymmetry effects were not considered in the 1995 mass calculation, it did study the effects of reflection-asymmetric shape degrees of freedom (epsilon(3)) on nuclear masses. However, the magnitude of the effect was not tabulated. Here, we provide such a table. In addition we calculate the effect in a much improved fashion: we search a four-dimensional deformation space (epsilon(2), epsilon(3), epsilon(4), and epsilon(6)). This is now possible because the computational resources available to us today are more than 100,000 times better than at the time we calculated the mass table published in 1995. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Less)

A largely extended experimental knowledge of the Cu-61(29)32 nucleus has been obtained from three experiments. Excited states in Cu-61 were produced via the fusion-evaporation reaction Si-28(Ar-36, 3p)Cu-61. In addition to the Ge array GAMMASPHERE, neutron and charged-particle detectors placed around the target position were used for high-performance particle spectroscopy. The constructed level scheme includes more than 160 energy levels and 320 gamma-ray transitions belonging to both normally deformed as well as superdeformed rotational structures. The multipolarities have been determined for the gamma-ray transitions and as a result spin-parity assignments are given for nearly all energy levels. Experimental results in the normally deformed region are compared with predictions from large-scale shell model calculations. The collective structures are compared with results from cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations. The results reveal the need to modify the standard Nilsson parameters in the mass A similar to 60 region. (Less)

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 distribution of the electron (anti)neutrino energies. The computed cross sections are compared with earlier calculations and the analyses are extended to take into account the effects coming from the neutrino oscillations.

Background: For nuclei heavier than Pb-208 alpha decay is a dominating decay mode. alpha decay of odd nuclei can give spectroscopic information because different states in the daughter nucleus can be populated in the decay. Purpose: To explore and test microscopic descriptions of alpha decay of odd nuclei based on self-consistent models with effective nuclear interactions. To predict the hindrance of a decay of odd-A superheavy nuclei. Methods: We apply the method of our previous work [D. E. Ward, B. G. Carlsson, and S. Aberg, Phys. Rev. C 88, 064316 (2013)] to the case of odd-A near-spherical nuclei. The Skyrme effective interaction SLy4 is used. Starting from the obtained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov vacuum and quasiparticle excitations, the alpha-particle formation amplitude is calculated giving the decay rates and hindrance of different alpha-decay channels. Result: The calculated relative decay rates show good agreement with available data. The hindrance of decay channels where the odd nucleon changes orbital is reasonably described by the microscopic calculation. Several hindered ground-state decays of superheavy nuclei are predicted, implying possible alpha-gamma coincidences. Conclusions: The approach offers a practical method of making quantitative predictions for the relative hindrance of different alpha-decay channels. (Less)

Mean field methods to calculate the nuclear mass are extended into the high spin regime to calculate the nuclear binding energy as a function of proton number, neutron number and angular momentum. Comparing the trend as a function of mass number for a selection of high-spin states, a similar agreement between theory and experiment is obtained as for ground state masses.

[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 well-deformed nuclei around Z = 110 ,N = 168 strongly depends on the strength of the spin-orbit coupling; hence, it provides an excellent constraint on theoretical models of superheavy nuclei. To clarify competing theoretical scenarios, an experimental search for E 1 transitions in odd- A systems 275 , 277 Mt, 275 Hs, and 277 Ds is strongly recommended. peerReviewed

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.

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-antineutrino energies.

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 remain. We conclude that the main source of disagreement is still in the underlying mean fields, and not in including or neglecting the PVC corrections., 5 pages, 5 figures, extended supplemental material

$\alpha$ decay is treated microscopically, where the unstable mother nucleus and residual daughter nucleus are described using HFB wave functions, obtained with the Skyrme effective interaction. From these wave functions the amplitude for forming $\alpha$ particles in the mother nucleus is computed. Two different Skyrme parametrizations with different pairing properties are compared, and we find good agreement with experiment for relative decay rates in both cases. The absolute values of the decay rates are under-estimated., Comment: Conference proceeding, Kazimierz 2013

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.

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) models. Numerical calculations are performed for the mean-field ground-state properties of deformed odd nuclei and then compared to the polarization corrections determined using the approach that conserves spherical symmetry. Results: We have identified and numerically evaluated self-interaction (SI) energies that are at the origin of different results obtained within the mean-field and polarization-correction approaches. Conclusions: Mean-field energies of odd nuclei are polluted by the SI energies, and this makes them different from those obtained using polarization-correction methods. A comparison of both approaches allows for the identification and determination of the SI terms, which then can be calculated and removed from the mean-field results, giving the self-interaction-free energies. The simplest deformed mean-field approach that does not break parity symmetry is unable to reproduce full PVC effects. (Less)

A high-resolution , X-ray and gamma-ray coincidence spectroscopy experiment was conducted at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung. Thirty correlated alpha-decay chains were detected following the fusion-evaporation reaction 48Ca + 243Am. The observations are consistent with previous assignments of similar decay chains to originate from element Z = 115. For the first time, precise spectroscopy allows the derivation of excitation schemes of isotopes along the decay chains starting with elements Z > 112. Comprehensive Monte-Carlo simulations accompany the data analysis. Nuclear structure models provide a first level interpretation.

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 second order many-body perturbation theory (MBPT2). Result: Contributions to the correlation energies are evaluated for several isotopic chains and an attempt is made to disentangle which parts give rise to fluctuations that may be difficult to incorporate on the HFB level. The dependence of the results on the cut-off is also investigated. Conclusions: The improved interaction allows explicit summations of perturbation series which is useful for the description of some nuclear observables. However, refits of the interaction parameters are needed to obtain more quantitative results.

An iterative method we previously proposed to compute nuclear strength functions [Toivanen et al., Phys. Rev. C 81, 034312 (2010)] is developed to allow it to accurately calculate properties of individual nuclear states. The approach is based on the quasiparticle 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 separable Gaussian pairing force. (Less)

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 difference between centroids of Giant Monopole Resonances measured in lead and tin (about 1 MeV) always turns out to be overestimated by about 100%. We also found that the volume incompressibility, obtained by adjusting the liquid-drop expression to microscopic results, is significantly larger than the infinite-matter incompressibility. Conclusions: The zero-range and separable pairing forces cannot induce modifications of monopole strength functions in tin to match experimental data., Comment: 11 RevTeX pages, 16 figures, 1 table, extended version

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 invariance of the functional under gauge transformations. Methods: Derive conditions for the validity of the continuity equation in the framework of time-dependent density functional theory. The conditions apply separately to the four spin-isospin channels of the one-body density matrix. Results: We obtained four sets of constraints on the coupling constants of the N3LO energy density functional that guarantee the validity of the continuity equation in all spin-isospin channels. In particular, for the scalar-isoscalar channel, the constraints are the same as those resulting from imposing the standard U(1) local-gauge-invariance conditions. Conclusions: Validity of the continuity equation in the four spin-isospin channels is equivalent to the local-gauge invariance of the energy density functional. For vector and isovector channels, such validity requires the invariance of the functional under local rotations in the spin and isospin spaces., Comment: 12 Latex pages, submitted to Physical Review C

A spectroscopic investigation of the gamma decays from excited states in Er-159 has been performed to study the changing structural properties exhibited as ultrahigh spins (I > 60 (h) over bar) are approached. The nucleus of Er-159 was populated by the reaction Cd-116(Ca-48, 5n gamma) at a beam energy of 215 MeV, and the resulting gamma decays were studied using the Gammasphere spectrometer. New rotational bands and extensions to existing sequences were observed, which are discussed in terms of the cranked shell model, revealing a diverse range of quasiparticle configurations. At spins around 50 (h) over bar, there is evidence for a change from dominant prolate collective motion at the yrast line to oblate non-collective structures via the mechanism of band termination. A possible strongly deformed triaxial band occurs at these high spins, which indicates collectivity beyond 50 (h) over bar. The high-spin data are interpreted within the framework of cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations. (Less)

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 spherical, space-inversion, and time-reversal symmetries., Comment: 18 LaTeX pages, 2 EPS Figures, 27 Tables, and 18 files of the supplemental material (LaTeX, Mathematica, and Fortran), introduction rewritten, table XXVII and figure 2 corrected, in press in Physical Review C

Four previously known rotational bands in 76Rb have been extended to moderate spins using the Gammasphere and Microball gamma ray and charged particle detector arrays and the 40Ca(40Ca,3pn) reaction at a beam energy of 165 MeV. The properties of two of the negative-parity bands can only readily be interpreted in terms of the highly successful Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky model calculations if they have the same configuration in terms of the number of g9/2 particles, but they result from different nuclear shapes (one near-oblate and the other near-prolate). These data appear to constitute a unique example of shape co-existing structures at medium spins., Comment: Accepted for publication in Physics Letters B

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 constants of the Skyrme functional or Skyrme force that correspond to the finite-range Gogny central force. The resulting self-consistent solutions reproduce the Gogny-force binding energies and radii within the precision of 1-2%., 23 pages, 5 eps figures, submitted to Journal of Physics G

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., Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures

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., 9 RevTeX pages, 11 figures, submitted to Physical Review C

Data from three experiments using the heavy-ion fusion evaporation-reaction Ar-36+Si-28 have been combined to study high-spin states in the residual nucleus Ni-60, which is populated via the evaporation of four protons from the compound nucleus Ge-64. The GAMMASPHERE array was used for all the experiments in conjunction with a 4 pi charged-particle detector arrays (MICROBALL, LUWUSIA) and neutron detectors (NEUTRON SHELL) to allow for the detection of. rays in coincidence with the evaporated particles. An extended Ni-60 level scheme is presented, comprising more than 270 gamma-ray transitions and 110 excited states. Their spins and parities have been assigned via directional correlations of gamma rays emitted from oriented states. Spherical shell-model calculations in the fp-shell characterize some of the low-spin states, while the experimental results of the rotational bands are analyzed with configuration-dependent cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations. (Less)

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.

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 symmetries contain 100 and 42 terms, respectively. For functionals additionally restricted by the spherical, space-inversion, and time-reversal symmetries, the corresponding numbers of terms are equal to 100, 60, and 22, respectively., 25 RevTeX pages, 1 figure, 23 tables, Physical Review C in press, misprints in Appendix C corrected

The experimental knowledge of the Cu-61(29)32 and Zn-61(30)31 nuclei has been largely extended via the joint results from three experiments. The fusion-evaporation reaction used a Ar-36 beam and a Si-28 target foil to produce the two nuclei via the evaporation of either three protons (Cu-61) or two protons and a neutron (Zn-61). The experimental set-ups comprised the Ge-array GAMMASPHERE as well as neutron and charged-particle detectors placed around the target position. The resulting level schemes include around ten rotational superdeformed structures in each isotope. Most of them are linked to normally deformed states and in many cases spins and parities of the low-lying states in each structure have been determined. The collective structures are compared with results from configuration dependent Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations. The different structures are in general well understood from the calculation but the results do also suggest modifications of the standard Nilsson parameters in the mass A similar to 60 region. (Less)

For a level scheme investigation of ^{142}Gd an experiment with the $\gamma$-spectrometer EUROBALLIII has been carried out and lifetimes have been measured with EUROBALL IV using the Doppler-shift attenuation method. The high-spin states have been populated in these experiments by means of the ^{99}Ru(^{48}Ti, 2p3n) reaction at a beam energy of 240MeV and the ^{114}Sn(^{32}S, 2p2n) reaction at 160MeV, respectively. Reduced E2 transition probabilities B(E2) were determined for 15 members of four quadrupole bands. For the interpretation of the positive-parity even-spin quadrupole bands, calculations in the cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky as well as interacting boson models have been performed. From the former calculations it was concluded that the high-spin states of the (+ , 0)_{1} band in ^{142}Gd represent a triaxial nucleus rotating around the longest principal axis.

Lifetimes of high‐spin states have been measured for 142Gd and 134Nd with EU‐ROBALL IV and AFRODITE, respectively, using DSAM. From calculations in the cranked Nilsson‐Strutinsky model it was concluded that at the high‐spin states of the (+,0)1 band, 142Gd represents a triaxial nucleus rotating around the longest principal axis.

The high-spin parts of shears bands observed in Pb-198,Pb-199 are described by coupling several valence particles to a deformed rotor core. To give the model enough freedom so that both the proton and the neutron spin vectors can find their preferred direction, the use of five to six valence particles and holes is found to be necessary. Effective parameters characterizing the rotor are deduced from the cranking model. The method is described and results are presented concerning transition probabilities and energies in the high-spin regime for several rotational bands in Pb-199. The possible termination of the rotational bands is also discussed.

Macroscopic-microscopic methods are applied in the high-spin regime to calculate the nuclear binding energy ("mass") as a function of proton number, neutron number, and angular momentum. Masses at high spin are calculated using the cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky model together with two different liquid drop models, the Lublin-Strasbourg drop model and the finite range liquid drop model. When comparisons are made with experimental data, a similar agreement between theory and experiment is obtained as for ground-state masses.