Shape coexistence and triaxiality in the superheavy nuclei

Superheavy nuclei represent the limit of nuclear mass and charge; they inhabit the remote corner of the nuclear landscape, whose extent is unknown. The discovery of new elements with atomic numbers Z > or = 110 has brought much excitement to the atomic and nuclear physics communities. The existence of such heavy nuclei hangs on a subtle balance between the attractive nuclear force and the disruptive Coulomb repulsion between protons that favours fission. Here we model the interplay between these forces using self-consistent energy density functional theory; our approach accounts for spontaneous breaking of spherical symmetry through the nuclear Jahn-Teller effect. We predict that the long-lived superheavy elements can exist in a variety of shapes, including spherical, axial and triaxial configurations. In some cases, we anticipate the existence of metastable states and shape isomers that can affect decay properties and hence nuclear half-lives.     

超重新核素合成研究进展

随着重离子加速器和放射性核束装置的发展,人们对于核物理的研究不再仅仅局限于稳定核,更是将研究对象扩展到一些极限条件,比如探索原子核高温高密极限、自旋极限、同位旋极限,以及电荷和质量极限等．对于探索电荷和质量极限而言,如何合成长寿命超重核、是否存在“超重稳定岛”以及如何研究超重原子核的性质,成为当前核物理学研究的前沿领域．本文回顾了超重核的产生机制、定义和衰变模式,详细介绍了国内外关于超重核合成的现状和研究进展．其中包括理论上和实验上合成超重核素最新研究进展,重点针对重离子熔合反应和多核子转移反应研究情况展开讨论,并简介了国际上核科学大装置未来开展超重核研究的计划．同时,对北京师范大学参与93号超铀新核素223,224Np的合成情况进行了评述,并针对近年来合成Z=119和120超重核素的最新研究进行了总结展望．      

超重核Z=117同位素链的α衰变性质

运用推广液滴模型结合WKB方法对新合成超重核293117和294117及其α衰变链中各核素的半衰期进行系统性分析,论计算到超重核半衰期与实验值符合非好.说明推广液滴模型可以成功研究超重核半衰期.本文还预测了Z=117同位素链未合成超重核α衰变半衰期.计算结果表明在Z=117同位素链中存在比已合成293117和294117更稳定、寿命更超重核.     

Towards the drip lines of the nuclide landscape

In the paper we review the recent progress of studies in unstable nuclei,mainly affiliated with the facilities of radioactive ion beams in China,including both experimental and theoretical aspects of researches.Many experiments for reactions,decays and structures have been performed targeting better understandings of properties of unstable nuclei.Special experimental measurements related to nuclear astrophysics have been done to seek insights into the processes of syntheses of elements in the universe.Theoretical calculations have provided many useful predictions on the behaviors of unstable nuclei,with model developments.Studies covered many mass regions from light to superheavy nuclei,giving plenty of information about the structures of unstable nuclei,towards the limits of existence of atomic nuclei.     

超重新核素的研究进展

超重核素合成是当前核物理研究的热点。本文简要回顾和介绍了合成超重核素的实验进展、超重核素的理论研究和当前的一些理论研究近况,主要包括各种相对论平均场模型和宏观-微观模型的计算结果,并分析和比较了各种理论模型在描述超重核性质方面的差异。对超重核素的性质做了总结,在此基础上预言了一些超重核素的性质,对比较容易合成的超重核素的实验提出了建议。     

Evidence for a spin-aligned neutron-proton paired phase from the level structure of (92)Pd

Shell structure and magic numbers in atomic nuclei were generally explained by pioneering work that introduced a strong spin-orbit interaction to the nuclear shell model potential. However, knowledge of nuclear forces and the mechanisms governing the structure of nuclei, in particular far from stability, is still incomplete. In nuclei with equal neutron and proton numbers (N = Z), enhanced correlations arise between neutrons and protons (two distinct types of fermions) that occupy orbitals with the same quantum numbers. Such correlations have been predicted to favour an unusual type of nuclear superfluidity, termed isoscalar neutron-proton pairing, in addition to normal isovector pairing. Despite many experimental efforts, these predictions have not been confirmed. Here we report the experimental observation of excited states in the N = Z = 46 nucleus (92)Pd. Gamma rays emitted following the (58)Ni((36)Ar,2n)(92)Pd fusion-evaporation reaction were identified using a combination of state-of-the-art high-resolution γ-ray, charged-particle and neutron detector systems. Our results reveal evidence for a spin-aligned, isoscalar neutron-proton coupling scheme, different from the previous prediction. We suggest that this coupling scheme replaces normal superfluidity (characterized by seniority coupling) in the ground and low-lying excited states of the heaviest N = Z nuclei. Such strong, isoscalar neutron-proton correlations would have a considerable impact on the nuclear level structure and possibly influence the dynamics of rapid proton capture in stellar nucleosynthesis.     

超重原子核区的壳效应研究

 采用Nilsson势的宏观-微观模型，对Z=114同位素链上原子核基态的结合能、衰变能和四极形变进行了系统的计算，并将理论计算结果与实验数据和其他理论模型的结果进行了详细的比较.研究发现，理论计算结果和实验数据符合，也与其他模型的计算结果符合，表明宏观-微观模型对超重核性质的研究是可靠和有效的.对形变和壳效应的分析表明在宏观-微观模型里Z=114和N=184是一个闭壳.     

新幻数Z=14，16可靠性的讨论

Z=14和Z=16是否是新的幻数,是目前核研究中讨论得较多的热点问题,但各种理论模型得到的结果并不一致,故在相对论平均场框架内,从粒子数偏离、占有概率、四极形变和单粒子能级多个方面检验了这两个同位素的幻数可靠性问题,结果发现,Z=14是一个可能的幻数,而Z=16并不显示有幻数迹象,这个结论,和目前大多数文献报道的并不完全一致.     

新核素263Hs,260Bh及其α衰变链上核素的半衰期

运用推广的液滴模型(GLDM)并结合量子力学中的WKB方法计算了新核素263Hs,260Bh及其α衰变链上各核素的势垒贯穿概率,对该链上各原子核的α衰变半衰期进行了研究.计算结果表明:利用推广的液滴模型结合WKB方法计算出的α衰变半衰期可以很好地符合在超重核区的实验值,验证了推广的液滴模型在超重核区的适用性,能够很好地描述超重核的α衰变.同时,计算表明新核素260Bh和263Hs的合成及其半衰期的测量是可靠的.     

以Fe作为弹核研究合成超重核的黏连截面

超重元素的研究是目前核物理和核化学领域的前沿课题之一,随着实验设备的不断完善和各种理论模型的不断发展,人们在合成超重核的研究上取得了非常大的进展。Fe作为弹核探讨形成超重核的黏连截面,主要采用两步模型来研究超重核的形成过程。主要核反应过程具体分为2步:第1步是指弹靶的黏连阶段,第2步是指弹靶形成复合核阶段。这2个阶段的动力学过程都可以用带随机力的朗之万方程来描述,并且这2个阶段是各自独立的,即可以分别来讨论这2个阶段。主要讨论黏连阶段,根据给出的58Fe+248Cm与58Fe+208Pb激发能与黏连截面的实验值,重新拟合出以Fe作为弹核与锕系中系列核形成超重核的黏连截面的最佳C与ΔB值,及C与ΔB值对拟合出的E*-σ曲线的影响、角动量和激发能等因素对黏连截面的影响。     

复合核裂变与微观裂变理论进展

核裂变过程是一个复杂的大幅度的量子多体动力学过程,对其理论描述一直是一个挑战.为了描述实验上的裂变可观测量,理论上发展了一些半唯象与近似的模型,但这些模型依赖唯象的参数.从有效核力出发发展微观的裂变理论,原则上无需自由参数,但要达到定量计算的阶段还很困难.本文介绍了复合核裂变的理论进展,特别讨论了微观计算复合核存活概率在超重核合成研究中的关键影响.此外比较了绝热和非绝热的微观裂变动力学模型.其中绝热裂变模型对低激发裂变的实验可观测量能较好描述,而非绝热动力学模型对深入研究裂变机制非常有用.本文分析了核裂变理论的问题和挑战,意识到裂变过程极其复杂,并展望了裂变理论的发展方向.     

Description of rotational properties of the superheavy nucleus 256,258,260Rf by projected shell model

Band structure of the Z = 104 nucleus ²⁵⁶Rf has been a recent research focus in nuclear physics. We performed projected shell model calculations for this and some other neighboring Rf isotopes. Specifically, we studied rotational properties of these nuclei and showed that variations in dynamic moment of inertia were sensitive to single-particle structures, which may be useful information for locating the anticipated island of stability. Electromagnetic transition properties were also calculated, and measurable quantities were predicted for further experimental test.     

Discovery of 40Mg and 42Al suggests neutron drip-line slant towards heavier isotopes

A fundamental question in nuclear physics is what combinations of neutrons and protons can make up a nucleus. Many hundreds of exotic neutron-rich isotopes have never been observed; the limit of how many neutrons a given number of protons can bind is unknown for all but the lightest elements, owing to the delicate interplay between single particle and collective quantum effects in the nucleus. This limit, known as the neutron drip line, provides a benchmark for models of the atomic nucleus. Here we report a significant advance in the determination of this limit: the discovery of two new neutron-rich isotopes--40Mg and 42Al--that are predicted to be drip-line nuclei. In the past, several attempts to observe 40Mg were unsuccessful; moreover, the observation of 42Al provides an experimental indication that the neutron drip line may be located further towards heavier isotopes in this mass region than is currently believed. In stable nuclei, attractive pairing forces enhance the stability of isotopes with even numbers of protons and neutrons. In contrast, the present work shows that nuclei at the drip line gain stability from an unpaired proton, which narrows the shell gaps and provides the opportunity to bind many more neutrons.     

超重核素94～102同位素链上的位能曲面研究

采用宏观-微观模型对原子核系数在94～102之间偶偶核素同位链上原子核的位能曲面进行了系统的研究,给出了这些同位素链上原子核的位能曲面图。在此基础上讨论了超重核素的形变随核子数之间的变化规律,研究了该区域可能存在的形状共存现象和超重核素的稳定性。最后对超重核区域原子核的同质异能态进行了讨论。     

Z<38稳定核素的分布特点

核素分类是核素体系基本性质规律的统一.当以氘氚结团数分析天然有丰度核素分布时,在正方形核素图中得到支持核素体系新规律是1,2,4,8,16,8,4,2,1存在的证据.具体说明了Z<38核素的三类1,2,4特点:偶S18～6连续核素列的1,2,4分布;Z20～8偶偶核素的1,2,4分布;坐标轴S≤16下界的偶4,奇4,2,1分布.偶Z36～24区域,其上、下界及中心区各有七核素,各以Z30核素703020Zn4010,673026Zn344,673023Zn377为中点对称分布.     

rp过程核基态性质的理论研究

采用形变的相对论平均场模型对rp(快质子俘获)过程核的基态性质进行了系统研究,计算了质量数A=60～100,N=Z的偶偶核的平均结合能,均方根半径,单中子和单质子分离能.并与已知的实验数据进行比较,发现二者能够较好地符合,肯定了相对论平均场理论对rp过程核研究的可靠性.我们的计算结果可为未来rp过程的实验研究提供一些理...     

Unexpected inhibition of fusion in nucleus-nucleus collisions

Unstable heavy atomic nuclei not found in nature can be created by fusing two stable nuclei, in a process analogous to colliding charged droplets of liquid. Recently, the formation of a handful of super-heavy nuclei with atomic numbers 114 (ref. 1) and 116 (ref. 2) has been achieved by fusion of heavy nuclei. The electrostatic energy of such systems is very large (which is the reason super-heavy nuclei are unstable), so although the two nuclei may initially be captured by the nuclear potential, rather than fusing, they almost always separate after transfer of mass to the lighter nucleus. This process, called quasi-fission, can inhibit fusion by many orders of magnitude. Understanding this inhibition may hold the key to forming more super-heavy elements. Theoretically, inhibition is predicted (ref. 5 and references therein) when the product Z1Z2 of the charges of the projectile and target nuclei is larger than about 1,600. Here we report measurements of three fusion reactions with Z1Z2 around half this value, each forming 216 88Ra. We find convincing model-independent evidence both of inhibition of fusion, and of the presence of quasi-fission. These results defy interpretation within the standard picture of nuclear fusion and fission.     

How atomic nuclei cluster

Nucleonic matter displays a quantum-liquid structure, but in some cases finite nuclei behave like molecules composed of clusters of protons and neutrons. Clustering is a recurrent feature in light nuclei, from beryllium to nickel. Cluster structures are typically observed as excited states close to the corresponding decay threshold; the origin of this phenomenon lies in the effective nuclear interaction, but the detailed mechanism of clustering in nuclei has not yet been fully understood. Here we use the theoretical framework of energy-density functionals, encompassing both cluster and quantum liquid-drop aspects of nuclei, to show that conditions for cluster formation can in part be traced back to the depth of the confining nuclear potential. For the illustrative example of neon-20, we show that the depth of the potential determines the energy spacings between single-nucleon orbitals in deformed nuclei, the localization of the corresponding wavefunctions and, therefore, the degree of nucleonic density clustering. Relativistic functionals, in particular, are characterized by deep single-nucleon potentials. When compared to non-relativistic functionals that yield similar ground-state properties (binding energy, deformation, radii), they predict the occurrence of much more pronounced cluster structures. More generally, clustering is considered as a transitional phenomenon between crystalline and quantum-liquid phases of fermionic systems.     

Chemical characterization of element 112

The heaviest elements to have been chemically characterized are seaborgium (element 106), bohrium (element 107) and hassium (element 108). All three behave according to their respective positions in groups 6, 7 and 8 of the periodic table, which arranges elements according to their outermost electrons and hence their chemical properties. However, the chemical characterization results are not trivial: relativistic effects on the electronic structure of the heaviest elements can strongly influence chemical properties. The next heavy element targeted for chemical characterization is element 112; its closed-shell electronic structure with a filled outer s orbital suggests that it may be particularly susceptible to strong deviations from the chemical property trends expected within group 12. Indeed, first experiments concluded that element 112 does not behave like its lighter homologue mercury. However, the production and identification methods used cast doubt on the validity of this result. Here we report a more reliable chemical characterization of element 112, involving the production of two atoms of (283)112 through the alpha decay of the short-lived (287)114 (which itself forms in the nuclear fusion reaction of 48Ca with 242Pu) and the adsorption of the two atoms on a gold surface. By directly comparing the adsorption characteristics of (283)112 to that of mercury and the noble gas radon, we find that element 112 is very volatile and, unlike radon, reveals a metallic interaction with the gold surface. These adsorption characteristics establish element 112 as a typical element of group 12, and its successful production unambiguously establishes the approach to the island of stability of superheavy elements through 48Ca-induced nuclear fusion reactions with actinides.     

超重元素Uus（Z=117）在酸溶液中标准电极电势的理论预测

基于Born-Haber热力学循环理论,利用多组态Dirac-Fock方法计算的超重元素Uus及其同族元素Cl,Br,I和At的离化势和亲和势及已有的标准电极电势的实验值,拟合得到了Uus的元素电势图.结果表明：在酸溶液中Uus的0价态能够稳定存在,而1,1＋和5＋价态不能稳定存在;在同族元素中,随原子序数Z的增大,0价态和1＋态的稳定性逐渐增加,1价态的稳定性逐渐降低;而5＋价态的稳定性随原子序数变化并不是单调的.对于这种稳定性随原子序数变化的规律,我们从价电子能级的相对位置以及电子电离或亲和的过程作了定性的解释.