No Arabic abstract
We show how the shape evolution of the neutron-rich exotic Si and S isotopes can be understood as a Jahn-Teller effect that comes in part from the tensor-driven evolution of single-particle energies. The detailed calculations we present are in excellent agreement with known experimental data, and we point out of new features that should be explored in new experiments. Potential energy surfaces are used to understand the shape evolutions. The sub-shell closed nucleus, $^{42}$Si, is shown to be a perfect example of a strongly oblate shape instead of a sphere through a robust Jahn-Teller mechanism. The distribution of spectroscopic factors measured by $^{48}$Ca(e,ep) experiment is shown to be well described, providing a unique test on the tensor-driven shell evolution.
We show how shape transitions in the neutron-rich exotic Si and S isotopes occur in terms of shell-model calculations with a newly constructed Hamiltonian based on V_MU interaction. We first compare the calculated spectroscopic-strength distributions for the proton 0d_5/2,3/2 and 1s_1/2 orbitals with results extracted from a 48Ca(e,ep) experiment to show the importance of the tensor-force component of the Hamiltonian. Detailed calculations for the excitation energies, B(E2) and two-neutron separation energies for the Si and S isotopes show excellent agreement with experimental data. The potential energy surface exhibits rapid shape transitions along the isotopic chains towards N=28 that are different for Si and S. We explain the results in terms of an intuitive picture involving a Jahn-Teller-type effect that is sensitive to the tensor-force-driven shell evolution. The closed sub-shell nucleus 42Si is a particularly good example of how the tensor-force-driven Jahn-Teller mechanism leads to a strong oblate rather than spherical shape.
The shapes of neutron-rich exotic Ni isotopes are studied. Large-scale shell model calculations are performed by advanced Monte Carlo Shell Model (MCSM) for the $pf$-$g_{9/2}$-$d_{5/2}$ model space. Experimental energy levels are reproduced well by a single fixed Hamiltonian. Intrinsic shapes are analyzed for MCSM eigenstates. Intriguing interplays among spherical, oblate, prolate and gamma-unstable shapes are seen including shape fluctuations, $E$(5)-like situation, the magicity of doubly-magic $^{56,68,78}$Ni, and the coexistence of spherical and strongly deformed shapes. Regarding the last point, strong deformation and change of shell structure can take place simultaneously, being driven by the combination of the tensor force and changes of major configurations within the same nucleus.
The tensor terms of the Skyrme effective interaction are included in the self-consistent Hartree-Fock plus Random Phase Approximation (HF+RPA) model. The Gamow-Teller (GT) strength function of 90Zr and 208Pb are calculated with and without the tensor terms. The main peaks are moved downwards by about 2 MeV when including the tensor contribution. About 10% of the non-energy weighted sum rule is shifted to the excitation energy region above 30 MeV by the RPA tensor correlations. The contribution of the tensor terms to the energy weighted sum rule is given analytically, and compared to the outcome of RPA.
Shape evolution of Zr nuclei are investigated by the axial Hartree-Fock (HF) calculations using the semi-realistic interaction M3Y-P6, with focusing on roles of the tensor force. Deformation at $Napprox 40$ is reproduced, which has not been easy to describe within the self-consistent mean-field calculations. The spherical shape is obtained in $46leq Nleq 56$, and the prolate deformation is predicted in $58leq Nleq 72$, while the shape switches to oblate at $N=74$. The sphericity returns at $N=80$ and $82$. The deformation in $60lesssim Nlesssim 70$ resolves the discrepancy in the previous magic-number prediction based on the spherical mean-field calculations [Prog. Theor. Exp. Phys. textbf{2014}, 033D02]. It is found that the deformation at $Napprox 40$ takes place owing to the tensor force with a good balance. The tensor-force effects significantly depend on the configurations, and are pointed out to be conspicuous when the unique-parity orbit (e.g. $n0h_{11/2}$) is present near the Fermi energy, delaying deformation. These effects are crucial for the magicity at $N=56$ and for the predicted shape change at $N=74$ and $80$.
The first known magnetic mineral, magnetite (Fe$_3$O$_4$), has unusual properties which have fascinated mankind for centuries; it undergoes the Verwey transition at $T_{rm V}$ $sim$120 K with an abrupt change in structure and electrical conductivity. The mechanism of the Verwey transition however remains contentious. Here we use resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) over a wide temperature range across the Verwey transition to identify and separate out the magnetic excitations derived from nominal Fe$^{2+}$ and Fe$^{3+}$ states. Comparison of the RIXS results with crystal-field multiplet calculations shows that the spin-orbital $dd$ excitons of the Fe$^{2+}$ sites arise from a tetragonal Jahn-Teller active polaronic distortion of the Fe$^{2+}$O$_6$ octahedra. These low-energy excitations, which get weakened for temperatures above 350 K but persist at least up to 550 K, are distinct from optical excitations and best explained as magnetic polarons.