Showing 1–19 of 19 results for author: Cocolios, T E

Determination of the Muon Lifetime in $^{76}$Se with the MONUMENT experiment

Authors: G. R. Araujo, D. Bajpai, L. Baudis, V. Belov, E. Bossio, T. E. Cocolios, H. Ejiri, M. Fomina, K. Gusev, I. H. Hashim, M. Heines, S. Kazartsev, A. Knecht, E. Mondragón, Z. W. Ng, I. Ostrovskiy, N. Rumyantseva, S. Schönert, M. Schwarz, A. Shehada, E. Shevchik, M. Shirchenko, Y. Shitov, J. Suhonen, S. M. Vogiatzi , et al. (4 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Ordinary muon capture provides a benchmark for the nuclear physics models of neutrinoless double beta decay under comparable momentum transfer conditions. The total capture strength defines the lifetime of the muonic atom. The muon lifetime in $^{76}$Se, the daughter nucleus of $^{76}$Ge, was determined with improved accuracy by the MONUMENT collaboration, using an array of high-purity germanium d… ▽ More Ordinary muon capture provides a benchmark for the nuclear physics models of neutrinoless double beta decay under comparable momentum transfer conditions. The total capture strength defines the lifetime of the muonic atom. The muon lifetime in $^{76}$Se, the daughter nucleus of $^{76}$Ge, was determined with improved accuracy by the MONUMENT collaboration, using an array of high-purity germanium detectors and a set of scintillator counters at the $π$E1 muon beam line of the Paul Scherrer Institute. The new value of (135.1 $\pm$ 0.5) ns agrees with phenomenological calculations based on the quasiparticle random phase approximation with unquenched axial-vector coupling. △ Less

Submitted 27 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 10 pages, 7 figures

Laser spectroscopy and CP-violation sensitivity of actinium monofluoride

Authors: M. Athanasakis-Kaklamanakis, M. Au, A. Kyuberis, C. Zülch, K. Gaul, H. Wibowo, L. Skripnikov, L. Lalanne, J. R. Reilly, A. Koszorús, S. Bara, J. Ballof, R. Berger, C. Bernerd, A. Borschevsky, A. A. Breier, K. Chrysalidis, T. E. Cocolios, R. P. de Groote, A. Dorne, J. Dobaczewski, C. M. Fajardo Zambrano, K. T. Flanagan, S. Franchoo, J. D. Johnson , et al. (17 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The apparent invariance of the strong nuclear force under combined charge conjugation and parity (CP) remains an open question in modern physics. Precision experiments with heavy atoms and molecules can provide stringent constraints on CP violation via searches for effects due to permanent electric dipole moments and other CP-odd properties in leptons, hadrons, and nuclei. Radioactive molecules ha… ▽ More The apparent invariance of the strong nuclear force under combined charge conjugation and parity (CP) remains an open question in modern physics. Precision experiments with heavy atoms and molecules can provide stringent constraints on CP violation via searches for effects due to permanent electric dipole moments and other CP-odd properties in leptons, hadrons, and nuclei. Radioactive molecules have been proposed as highly sensitive probes for such searches, but experiments with most such molecules have so far been beyond technical reach. Here we report the first production and spectroscopic study of a gas-phase actinium molecule, $^{227}$AcF. We observe the predicted strongest electronic transition from the ground state, which is necessary for efficient readout in searches of symmetry-violating interactions. Furthermore, we perform electronic- and nuclear-structure calculations for $^{227}$AcF to determine its sensitivity to various CP-violating parameters, and find that a realistic, near-term experiment with a precision of 1 mHz would improve current constraints on the CP-violating parameter hyperspace by three orders of magnitude. Our results thus highlight the potential of $^{227}$AcF for exceptionally sensitive searches of CP violation. △ Less

Submitted 7 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: Submitted

Modern approach to muonic x-ray spectroscopy demonstrated through the measurement of stable Cl radii

Authors: K. A. Beyer, T. E. Cocolios, C. Costache, M. Deseyn, P. Demol, A. Doinaki, O. Eizenberg, M. Gorshteyn, M. Heines, A. Herzáň, P. Indelicato, K. Kirch, A. Knecht, R. Lica, V. Matousek, E. A. Maugeri, B. Ohayon, N. S. Oreshkina, W. W. M. M. Phyo, R. Pohl, S. Rathi, W. Ryssens, A. Turturica, K. von Schoeler, I. A. Valuev , et al. (3 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Recent advances in muonic x-ray experiments have reinvigorated efforts in measurements of absolute nuclear charge radii. Here, a modern approach is presented, and demonstrated through determination of the charge radii of the two stable chlorine nuclides $^{35}$Cl and $^{37}$Cl. Knowledge of these radii has implications for fundamental studies in nuclear and atomic physics. For this purpose, a stat… ▽ More Recent advances in muonic x-ray experiments have reinvigorated efforts in measurements of absolute nuclear charge radii. Here, a modern approach is presented, and demonstrated through determination of the charge radii of the two stable chlorine nuclides $^{35}$Cl and $^{37}$Cl. Knowledge of these radii has implications for fundamental studies in nuclear and atomic physics. For this purpose, a state-of-the-art experiment was performed at the $π$E1 beamline in the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland), using a large-scale HPGe detector array in order to extract precise energies of the muonic $^{35}$Cl and $^{37}$Cl $np1s$ transitions. The nuclear charge radius extraction relies on modern calculations for QED effects and nuclear polarization with rigorous uncertainty quantification, including effects that were not accounted for in older studies. Additionally, we established a new method for applying the nuclear shape correction directly from energy density functionals, which are amenable to isotopes for which no high-quality electron scattering experiments are available. The resulting charge radii are $3.3335(23) fm$ for $^{35}$Cl and $3.3445(23) fm$ for $^{37}$Cl, thus improving the uncertainty of the available electron scattering values by a factor of seven. The correlation of several observables was evaluated between the different isotopes in order to produce a more precise value of the differential mean square charge radius $δ\langle r^2 \rangle^{37, 35}=+0.0771(66) fm^{2}$. In this case, improvement of the uncertainty by more than one order of magnitude was achieved compared to the literature value. This precision is sufficient to use this differential as input for isotope shift factor determination. △ Less

Submitted 6 August, 2025; v1 submitted 10 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Reduction in nuclear size and quadrupole deformation of high-spin isomers of 127,129In

Authors: A. R. Vernon, C. L. Binnersley, R. F. Garcia Ruiz, K. M. Lynch, T. Miyagi, J. Billowes, M. L. Bissell, T. E. Cocolios, J. P. Delaroche, J. Dobaczewski, M. Dupuis, K. T. Flanagan, W. Gins, M. Girod, G. Georgiev, R. P. de Groote, J. D. Holt, J. Hustings, Á. Koszorús, D. Leimbach, J. Libert, W. Nazarewicz, G. Neyens, N. Pillet, P. -G. Reinhard , et al. (7 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We employed laser spectroscopy of atomic transitions to measure the nuclear charge radii and electromagnetic properties of the high-spin isomeric states in neutron-rich indium isotopes (Z = 49) near the closed proton and neutron shells at Z = 50 and N = 82. Our data reveal a reduction in the nuclear charge radius and intrinsic quadrupole moment when protons and neutrons are fully aligned in 129In(… ▽ More We employed laser spectroscopy of atomic transitions to measure the nuclear charge radii and electromagnetic properties of the high-spin isomeric states in neutron-rich indium isotopes (Z = 49) near the closed proton and neutron shells at Z = 50 and N = 82. Our data reveal a reduction in the nuclear charge radius and intrinsic quadrupole moment when protons and neutrons are fully aligned in 129In(N = 80), to form the high spin isomer. Such a reduction is not observed in 127In(N = 78), where more complex configurations can be formed by the existence of four neutron-holes. These observations are not consistently described by nuclear theory. △ Less

Submitted 20 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Comments: Accepted in Physical Review Letters

Charge radii measurements of exotic tin isotopes in the proximity of $N=50$ and $N=82$

Authors: F. P. Gustafsson, L. V. Rodríguez, R. F. Garcia Ruiz, T. Miyagi, S. W. Bai, D. L. Balabanski, C. L. Binnersley, M. L. Bissell, K. Blaum, B. Cheal, T. E. Cocolios, G. J. Farooq-Smith, K. T. Flanagan, S. Franchoo, A. Galindo-Uribarri, G. Georgiev, W. Gins, C. Gorges, R. P. de Groote, H. Heylen, J. D. Holt, A. Kanellakopoulos, J. Karthein, S. Kaufmann, Á. Koszorús , et al. (29 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We report nuclear charge radii for the isotopes $^{104-134}$Sn, measured using two different collinear laser spectroscopy techniques at ISOLDE-CERN. These measurements clarify the archlike trend in charge radii along the isotopic chain and reveal an odd-even staggering that is more pronounced near the $N=50$ and $N=82$ shell closures. The observed local trends are well described by both nuclear de… ▽ More We report nuclear charge radii for the isotopes $^{104-134}$Sn, measured using two different collinear laser spectroscopy techniques at ISOLDE-CERN. These measurements clarify the archlike trend in charge radii along the isotopic chain and reveal an odd-even staggering that is more pronounced near the $N=50$ and $N=82$ shell closures. The observed local trends are well described by both nuclear density functional theory and valence space in-medium similarity renormalization group calculations. Both theories predict appreciable contributions from beyond-mean-field correlations to the charge radii of the neutron-deficient tin isotopes. The models fall short, however, of reproducing the magnitude of the known $B(E2)$ transition probabilities, highlighting the remaining challenges in achieving a unified description of both ground-state properties and collective phenomena. △ Less

Submitted 23 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

$^{61}$Cr as a Doorway to the N = 40 Island of Inversion

Authors: L. Lalanne, M. Athanasakis-Kaklamanakis, D. D. Dao, Á. Koszorús, Y. C. Liu, R. Mancheva, F. Nowacki, J. Reilly, C. Bernerd, K. Chrysalidis, T. E. Cocolios, R. P. de Groote, K. T. Flanagan, R. F. Garcia Ruiz, D. Hanstorp, R. Heinke, M. Heines, P. Lassegues, K. Mack, B. A. Marsh, A. McGlone, K. M. Lynch, G. Neyens, B. van den Borne, R. Van Duyse , et al. (2 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: This paper reports on the measurement of the ground-state spin and nuclear magnetic dipole moment of $^{61}$Cr. The radioactive ion beam was produced at the CERN-ISOLDE facility and was probed using high-resolution resonance ionization laser spectroscopy with the CRIS apparatus. The present ground-state spin measurement $I = \frac{1}{2}$, differing from the previously adopted $I =(\frac{5}{2})$, h… ▽ More This paper reports on the measurement of the ground-state spin and nuclear magnetic dipole moment of $^{61}$Cr. The radioactive ion beam was produced at the CERN-ISOLDE facility and was probed using high-resolution resonance ionization laser spectroscopy with the CRIS apparatus. The present ground-state spin measurement $I = \frac{1}{2}$, differing from the previously adopted $I =(\frac{5}{2})$, has significant consequences on the interpretation of existing beta decay data and nuclear structure in the region. The structure and shape of $^{61}$Cr is interpreted with state-of-the-art Large-Scale Shell Model and Discrete-Non-Orthogonal Shell Model calculations. From the measured magnetic dipole moment $μ(^{61}$Cr$)=+0.539(7)~μ_N$ and the theoretical findings, its configuration is understood to be driven by 2 particle - 2 hole neutron excitations with an unpaired $1p_{1/2}$ neutron. This establishes the western border of the $N=40$ Island Of Inversion (IoI), characterized by 4 particle - 4 hole neutron components. We discuss the shape evolution along the Cr isotopic chain as a quantum phase transition at the entrance of the $N=40$ IoI. △ Less

Submitted 2 September, 2025; v1 submitted 11 September, 2024; originally announced September 2024.

The MONUMENT Experiment: Ordinary Muon Capture studies for 0$νββ$ decay

Authors: Dhanurdhar Bajpai, Laura Baudis, Viacheslav Belov, Elisabetta Bossio, Thomas E. Cocolios, Hiroyasu Ejiri, Evgenii Sushenok, Maria Fomina, Izyan H. Hashim, Michael Heines, Konstantin Gusev, Sergej Kazartsev, Andreas Knecht, Elizabeth Mondragon, Ng Zheng Wei, Faiznur Othman, Igor Ostrovskiy, Gabriela R. Araujo, Nadyia Rumyantseva, Mario Schwarz, Stefan Schoenert, Mark Shirchenko, Egor Shevchik, Yury Shitov, Jouni Suhonen , et al. (4 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The MONUMENT experiment measures ordinary muon capture (OMC) on isotopes relevant for neutrinoless double-beta (0$νββ$) decay and nuclear astrophysics. OMC is a particularly attractive tool for improving the theoretical description of 0$νββ$ decay. It involves similar momentum transfers and allows testing the virtual transitions involved in 0$νββ$ decay against experimental data. During the 2021 c… ▽ More The MONUMENT experiment measures ordinary muon capture (OMC) on isotopes relevant for neutrinoless double-beta (0$νββ$) decay and nuclear astrophysics. OMC is a particularly attractive tool for improving the theoretical description of 0$νββ$ decay. It involves similar momentum transfers and allows testing the virtual transitions involved in 0$νββ$ decay against experimental data. During the 2021 campaign, MONUMENT measured OMC on $^{76}$Se and $^{136}$Ba, the isotopes relevant for next-generation 0$νββ$ decay searches, like LEGEND and nEXO. The experimental setup has been designed to accurately extract the total and partial muon capture rates, which requires precise reconstruction of energies and time-dependent intensities of the OMC-related $γ$ rays. The setup also includes a veto counter system to allow selecting a clean sample of OMC events. This work provides a detailed description of the MONUMENT setup operated during the 2021 campaign, its two DAQ systems, calibration and analysis approaches, and summarises the achieved detector performance. Future improvements are also discussed. △ Less

Submitted 19 April, 2024; originally announced April 2024.

Comments: 18 pages, 20 figures, submitted to EPJC

Electromagnetic Properties of Indium Isotopes Elucidate the Doubly Magic Character of $^{100}$Sn

Authors: J. Karthein, C. M. Ricketts, R. F. Garcia Ruiz, J. Billowes, C. L. Binnersley, T. E. Cocolios, J. Dobaczewski, G. J. Farooq-Smith, K. T. Flanagan, G. Georgiev, W. Gins, R. P. de Groote, F. P. Gustafsson, J. D. Holt, A. Kanellakopoulos, Á. Koszorús, D. Leimbach, K. M. Lynch, T. Miyagi, W. Nazarewicz, G. Neyens, P. -G. Reinhard, B. K. Sahoo, A. R. Vernon, S. G. Wilkins , et al. (2 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Our understanding of nuclear properties in the vicinity of $^{100}$Sn, suggested to be the heaviest doubly magic nucleus with equal numbers of protons (Z=50) and neutrons (N=50), has been a long-standing challenge for experimental and theoretical nuclear physics. Contradictory experimental evidence exists on the role of nuclear collectivity in this region of the nuclear chart. Using precision lase… ▽ More Our understanding of nuclear properties in the vicinity of $^{100}$Sn, suggested to be the heaviest doubly magic nucleus with equal numbers of protons (Z=50) and neutrons (N=50), has been a long-standing challenge for experimental and theoretical nuclear physics. Contradictory experimental evidence exists on the role of nuclear collectivity in this region of the nuclear chart. Using precision laser spectroscopy, we measured the ground-state electromagnetic moments of indium (Z=49) isotopes approaching the N=50 neutron number down to 101In, and nuclear charge radii of 101-131In spanning almost the complete range between the two major neutron closed-shells at N=50 and N=82. Our results for both nuclear charge radii and quadrupole moments reveal striking parabolic trends as a function of the neutron number, with a clear reduction toward these two neutron closed-shells, thus supporting a doubly magic character of $^{100}$Sn. Two complementary nuclear many-body frameworks, density functional theory and ab initio methods, elucidate our findings. A detailed comparison with our experimental results exposes deficiencies of nuclear models, establishing a benchmark for future theoretical developments. △ Less

Submitted 30 September, 2024; v1 submitted 23 October, 2023; originally announced October 2023.

Comments: 12 pages, 6 figures, 4 tables; text-identical to Nature Physics article (2024)

Journal ref: Nature Physics 20 (2024) 1719

Towards Precision Muonic X-Ray Measurements of Charge Radii of Light Nuclei

Authors: Ben Ohayon, Andreas Abeln, Silvia Bara, Thomas Elias Cocolios, Ofir Eizenberg, Andreas Fleischmann, Loredana Gastaldo, César Godinho, Michael Heines, Daniel Hengstler, Guillaume Hupin, Paul Indelicato, Klaus Kirch, Andreas Knecht, Daniel Kreuzberger, Jorge Machado, Petr Navratil, Nancy Paul, Randolf Pohl, Daniel Unger, Stella Vogiatzi, Katharina von Schoeler, Frederik Wauters

Abstract: We propose an experiment to measure the nuclear charge radii of light elements with up to 20~times higher accuracy. These are essential both for understanding nuclear physics at low energies, and for experimental and theoretical applications in simple atomic systems. Such comparisons advance the understanding of bound-state quantum electrodynamics and are useful for searching for new physics beyon… ▽ More We propose an experiment to measure the nuclear charge radii of light elements with up to 20~times higher accuracy. These are essential both for understanding nuclear physics at low energies, and for experimental and theoretical applications in simple atomic systems. Such comparisons advance the understanding of bound-state quantum electrodynamics and are useful for searching for new physics beyond the Standard Model. The energy levels of muonic atoms are highly susceptible to nuclear structure, especially to the mean square charge radius. The radii of the lightest nuclei (with the atomic number, $Z=1,2$) have been determined with high accuracy using laser spectroscopy in muonic atoms, while those of medium mass and above were determined using X-ray spectroscopy with semiconductor detectors. In this communication, we present a new experiment, aiming to obtain precision measurements of the radii of light nuclei $3 \leq Z \leq 10$ using single-photon energy measurements with cryogenic microcalorimeters; a quantum-sensing technology capable of high efficiency with outstanding resolution for low-energy X-rays. △ Less

Submitted 17 February, 2024; v1 submitted 5 October, 2023; originally announced October 2023.

Journal ref: Physics 2024, 6(1), 206-215

Electromagnetic moments of scandium isotopes and $N=28$ isotones in the distinctive $0f_{7/2}$ orbit

Authors: S. W. Bai, Á. Koszorús, B. S. Hu, X. F. Yang, J. Billowes, C. L. Binnersley, M. L. Bissell, K. Blaum, P. Campbell, B. Cheal, T. E. Cocolios, R. P. de Groote, C. S. Devlin, K. T. Flanagan, R. F. Garcia Ruiz, H. Heylen, J. D. Holt, A. Kanellakopoulos, J. Krämer, V. Lagaki, B. Maaß, S. Malbrunot-Ettenauer, T. Miyagi, R. Neugart, G. Neyens , et al. (9 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The electric quadrupole moment of $^{49}$Sc was measured by collinear laser spectroscopy at CERN-ISOLDE to be $Q_{\rm s}=-0.159(8)$ $e$b, and a nearly tenfold improvement in precision was reached for the electromagnetic moments of $^{47,49}$Sc. The single-particle behavior and nucleon-nucleon correlations are investigated with the electromagnetic moments of $Z=21$ isotopes and $N=28$ isotones as v… ▽ More The electric quadrupole moment of $^{49}$Sc was measured by collinear laser spectroscopy at CERN-ISOLDE to be $Q_{\rm s}=-0.159(8)$ $e$b, and a nearly tenfold improvement in precision was reached for the electromagnetic moments of $^{47,49}$Sc. The single-particle behavior and nucleon-nucleon correlations are investigated with the electromagnetic moments of $Z=21$ isotopes and $N=28$ isotones as valence neutrons and protons fill the distinctive $0f_{7/2}$ orbit, respectively, located between magic numbers, 20 and 28. The experimental data are interpreted with shell-model calculations using an effective interaction, and ab-initio valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group calculations based on chiral interactions. These results highlight the sensitivity of nuclear electromagnetic moments to different types of nucleon-nucleon correlations, and establish an important benchmark for further developments of theoretical calculations. △ Less

Submitted 22 March, 2022; v1 submitted 17 March, 2022; originally announced March 2022.

Comments: Accepted by Physics Letters B (2022)

Charge radii, moments and masses of mercury isotopes across the N = 126 shell closure

Authors: T. Day Goodacre, A. V. Afanasjev, A. E. Barzakh, L. Nies, B. A. Marsh, S. Sels, U. C. Perera, P. Ring, F. Wienholtz, A. N. Andreyev, P. Van Duppen, N. A. Althubiti, B. Andel, D. Atanasov, R. S. Augusto, J. Billowes, K. Blaum, T. E. Cocolios, J. G. Cubiss, G. J. Farooq-Smith, D. V. Fedorov, V. N. Fedosseev, K. T. Flanagan, L. P. Gaffney, L. Ghys , et al. (26 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Combining laser spectroscopy in a Versatile Arc Discharge and Laser Ion Source, with Penning-trap mass spectrometry at the CERN-ISOLDE facility, this work reports on mean-square charge radii of neutron-rich mercury isotopes across the $N = 126$ shell closure, the electromagnetic moments of $^{207}$Hg and more precise mass values of $^{206-208}$Hg. The odd-even staggering (OES) of the mean square c… ▽ More Combining laser spectroscopy in a Versatile Arc Discharge and Laser Ion Source, with Penning-trap mass spectrometry at the CERN-ISOLDE facility, this work reports on mean-square charge radii of neutron-rich mercury isotopes across the $N = 126$ shell closure, the electromagnetic moments of $^{207}$Hg and more precise mass values of $^{206-208}$Hg. The odd-even staggering (OES) of the mean square charge radii and the kink at $N = 126$ are analyzed within the framework of covariant density functional theory (CDFT), with comparisons between different functionals to investigate the dependence of the results on the underlying single-particle structure. The observed features are defined predominantly in the particle-hole channel in CDFT, since both are present in the calculations without pairing. However, the magnitude of the kink is still affected by the occupation of the $1i_{11/2}$ and $2g_{9/2}$ orbitals with a dependence on the relative energies as well as pairing. △ Less

Submitted 19 November, 2021; originally announced November 2021.

Comments: 20 pages, 12 figures, Phys. Rev. C in press

Journal ref: Physical Review C 104, 054322 (2021)

Isotope Shifts of Radium Monofluoride Molecules

Authors: S. M. Udrescu, A. J. Brinson, R. F. Garcia Ruiz, K. Gaul, R. Berger, J. Billowes, C. L. Binnersley, M. L. Bissell, A. A. Breier, K. Chrysalidis, T. E. Cocolios, B. S. Cooper, K. T. Flanagan, T. F. Giesen, R. P. de Groote, S. Franchoo, F. P. Gustafsson, T. A. Isaev, A. Koszorus, G. Neyens, H. A. Perrett, C. M. Ricketts, S. Rothe, A. R. Vernon, K. D. A. Wendt , et al. (3 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Isotope shifts of $^{223-226,228}$Ra$^{19}$F were measured for different vibrational levels in the electronic transition $A^{2}{}Π_{1/2}\leftarrow X^{2}{}Σ^{+}$. The observed isotope shifts demonstrate the particularly high sensitivity of radium monofluoride to nuclear size effects, offering a stringent test of models describing the electronic density within the radium nucleus. Ab initio quantum c… ▽ More Isotope shifts of $^{223-226,228}$Ra$^{19}$F were measured for different vibrational levels in the electronic transition $A^{2}{}Π_{1/2}\leftarrow X^{2}{}Σ^{+}$. The observed isotope shifts demonstrate the particularly high sensitivity of radium monofluoride to nuclear size effects, offering a stringent test of models describing the electronic density within the radium nucleus. Ab initio quantum chemical calculations are in excellent agreement with experimental observations. These results highlight some of the unique opportunities that short-lived molecules could offer in nuclear structure and in fundamental symmetry studies. △ Less

Submitted 21 May, 2021; originally announced May 2021.

Comments: The paper was accepted for publication as a Letter in Physical Review Letters

Laser spectroscopy of neutron-rich $^{207,208}$Hg isotopes: Illuminating the kink and odd-even staggering in charge radii across the $N=126$ shell closure

Authors: T. Day Goodacre, A. V. Afanasjev, A. E. Barzakh, B. A. Marsh, S. Sels, P. Ring, H. Nakada, A. N. Andreyev, P. Van Duppen, N. A. Althubiti, B. Andel, D. Atanasov, J. Billowes, K. Blaum, T. E. Cocolios, J. G. Cubiss, G. J. Farooq-Smith, D. V. Fedorov, V. N. Fedosseev, K. T. Flanagan, L. P. Ganey, L. Ghys, M. Huyse, S. Kreim, D. Lunney , et al. (19 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The mean-square charge radii of $^{207,208}$Hg ($Z=80, N=127,128$) have been studied for the first time and those of $^{202,203,206}$Hg ($N=122,123,126$) remeasured by the application of in-source resonance-ionization laser spectroscopy at ISOLDE (CERN). The characteristic \textit{kink} in the charge radii at the $N=126$ neutron shell closure has been revealed, providing the first information on i… ▽ More The mean-square charge radii of $^{207,208}$Hg ($Z=80, N=127,128$) have been studied for the first time and those of $^{202,203,206}$Hg ($N=122,123,126$) remeasured by the application of in-source resonance-ionization laser spectroscopy at ISOLDE (CERN). The characteristic \textit{kink} in the charge radii at the $N=126$ neutron shell closure has been revealed, providing the first information on its behavior below the $Z=82$ proton shell closure. A theoretical analysis has been performed within relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov and non-relativistic Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approaches, considering both the new mercury results and existing lead data. Contrary to previous interpretations, it is demonstrated that both the kink at $N=126$ and the odd-even staggering (OES) in its vicinity can be described predominately at the mean-field level, and that pairing does not need to play a crucial role in their origin. A new OES mechanism is suggested, related to the staggering in the occupation of the different neutron orbitals in odd- and even-$A$ nuclei, facilitated by particle-vibration coupling for odd-$A$ nuclei. △ Less

Submitted 26 December, 2020; originally announced December 2020.

Comments: 7 pages, 5 figures, Physical Review C, in press

Journal ref: Physical Review Letters 126, 032502 (2021)

Charge radii of exotic potassium isotopes challenge nuclear theory and the magic character of $N = 32$

Authors: Á. Koszorús, X. F. Yang, W. G. Jiang, S. J. Novario, S. W. Bai, J. Billowes, C. L. Binnersley, M. L. Bissell, T. E. Cocolios, B. S. Cooper, R. P. de Groote, A. Ekström, K. T. Flanagan, C. Forssén, S. Franchoo, R. F. Garcia Ruiz, F. P. Gustafsson, G. Hagen, G. R. Jansen, A. Kanellakopoulos, M. Kortelainen, W. Nazarewicz, G. Neyens, T. Papenbrock, P. -G. Reinhard , et al. (4 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Nuclear charge radii are sensitive probes of different aspects of the nucleon-nucleon interaction and the bulk properties of nuclear matter; thus, they provide a stringent test and challenge for nuclear theory. The calcium region has been of particular interest, as experimental evidence has suggested a new magic number at $N = 32$ [1-3], while the unexpectedly large increases in the charge radii [… ▽ More Nuclear charge radii are sensitive probes of different aspects of the nucleon-nucleon interaction and the bulk properties of nuclear matter; thus, they provide a stringent test and challenge for nuclear theory. The calcium region has been of particular interest, as experimental evidence has suggested a new magic number at $N = 32$ [1-3], while the unexpectedly large increases in the charge radii [4,5] open new questions about the evolution of nuclear size in neutron-rich systems. By combining the collinear resonance ionization spectroscopy method with $β$-decay detection, we were able to extend the charge radii measurement of potassium ($Z =19$) isotopes up to the exotic $^{52}$K ($t_{1/2}$ = 110 ms), produced in minute quantities. Our work provides the first charge radii measurement beyond $N = 32$ in the region, revealing no signature of the magic character at this neutron number. The results are interpreted with two state-of-the-art nuclear theories. For the first time, a long sequence of isotopes could be calculated with coupled-cluster calculations based on newly developed nuclear interactions. The strong increase in the charge radii beyond $N = 28$ is not well captured by these calculations, but is well reproduced by Fayans nuclear density functional theory, which, however, overestimates the odd-even staggering effect. These findings highlight our limited understanding on the nuclear size of neutron-rich systems, and expose pressing problems that are present in some of the best current models of nuclear theory. △ Less

Submitted 3 December, 2020; originally announced December 2020.

Comments: submitted version; revision accepted in Nature Physics

Journal ref: Nature Physics 17, 439 (2021)

First glimpse of the $N=82$ shell closure below $Z=50$ from masses of neutron-rich cadmium isotopes and isomers

Authors: V. Manea, J. Karthein, D. Atanasov, M. Bender, K. Blaum, T. E. Cocolios, S. Eliseev, A. Herlert, J. D. Holt, W. J. Huang, Yu. A. Litvinov, D. Lunney, J. Menéndez, M. Mougeot, D. Neidherr, L. Schweikhard, A. Schwenk, J. Simonis, A. Welker, F. Wienholtz, K. Zuber

Abstract: We probe the $N=82$ nuclear shell closure by mass measurements of neutron-rich cadmium isotopes with the ISOLTRAP spectrometer at ISOLDE-CERN. The new mass of $^{132}$Cd offers the first value of the $N=82$, two-neutron shell gap below $Z=50$ and confirms the phenomenon of mutually enhanced magicity at $^{132}$Sn. Using the recently implemented phase-imaging ion-cyclotron-resonance method, the ord… ▽ More We probe the $N=82$ nuclear shell closure by mass measurements of neutron-rich cadmium isotopes with the ISOLTRAP spectrometer at ISOLDE-CERN. The new mass of $^{132}$Cd offers the first value of the $N=82$, two-neutron shell gap below $Z=50$ and confirms the phenomenon of mutually enhanced magicity at $^{132}$Sn. Using the recently implemented phase-imaging ion-cyclotron-resonance method, the ordering of the low-lying isomers in $^{129}$Cd and their energies are determined. The new experimental findings are used to test large-scale shell-model, mean-field and beyond-mean-field calculations, as well as the ab initio valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group. △ Less

Submitted 16 March, 2020; v1 submitted 14 January, 2020; originally announced January 2020.

Comments: 7 pages, 5 figures; reference added, minor editorial corrections

Journal ref: Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 092502 (2020)

Measurement and microscopic description of odd-even staggering of charge radii of exotic copper isotopes

Authors: R. P. de Groote, J. Billowes, C. L. Binnersley, M. L. Bissell, T. E. Cocolios, T. Day Goodacre, G. J. Farooq-Smith, D. V. Fedorov, K. T. Flanagan, S. Franchoo, R. F. Garcia Ruiz, W. Gins, J. D. Holt, Á. Koszorús, K. M. Lynch, T. Miyagi, W. Nazarewicz, G. Neyens, P. -G. Reinhard, S. Rothe, H. H. Stroke, A. R. Vernon, K. D. A. Wendt, S. G. Wilkins, Z. Y. Xu , et al. (1 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The mesoscopic nature of the atomic nucleus gives rise to a wide array of macroscopic and microscopic phenomena. The size of the nucleus is a window into this duality: while the charge radii globally scale as $A^{1/3}$, their evolution across isotopic chains reveals unanticipated structural phenomena [1-3]. The most ubiquitous of these is perhaps the Odd-Even Staggering (OES) [4]: isotopes with an… ▽ More The mesoscopic nature of the atomic nucleus gives rise to a wide array of macroscopic and microscopic phenomena. The size of the nucleus is a window into this duality: while the charge radii globally scale as $A^{1/3}$, their evolution across isotopic chains reveals unanticipated structural phenomena [1-3]. The most ubiquitous of these is perhaps the Odd-Even Staggering (OES) [4]: isotopes with an odd number of neutrons are usually smaller in size than the trend of their even-neutron neighbours suggests. This OES effect varies with the number of protons and neutrons and poses a significant challenge for nuclear theory [5-7]. Here, we examine this problem with new measurements of the charge radii of short-lived copper isotopes up to the very exotic $^{78}$Cu $(Z=29, N=49)$, produced at only 20 ions/s, using the highly-sensitive Collinear Resonance Ionisation Spectroscopy (CRIS) method at ISOLDE-CERN. Due to the presence of a single proton outside of the closed Z=28 shell, these measurements provide crucial insights into the single-particle proton structure and how this affects the charge radii. We observe an unexpected reduction in the OES for isotopes approaching the $N=50$ shell gap. To describe the data, we applied models based on nuclear Density Functional Theory [2,8] (DFT) and ab-initio Valence-Space In-Medium Similarity Renormalization Group (VS-IMSRG) theory [9,10]. Through these comparisons, we demonstrate a relation between the global behavior of charge radii and the saturation density of nuclear matter, and show that the local charge radii variations, which reflect the many-body polarization effects due to the odd neutron, naturally emerge from the VS-IMSRG calculations. △ Less

Submitted 7 March, 2020; v1 submitted 20 November, 2019; originally announced November 2019.

Shape staggering of mid-shell mercury isotopes from in-source laser spectroscopy compared with Density Functional Theory and Monte Carlo Shell Model calculations

Authors: S. Sels, T. Day Goodacre, B. A. Marsh, A. Pastore, W. Ryssens, Y. Tsunoda, N. Althubiti, B. Andel, A. N. Andreyev, D. Atanasov, A. E. Barzakh, M. Bender, J. Billowes, K. Blaum, T. E. Cocolios, J. G. Cubiss, J. Dobaczewski, G. J. Farooq-Smith, D. V. Fedorov, V. N. Fedosseev, K. T. Flanagan, L. P. Gaffney, L. Ghys, P-H. Heenen, M. Huyse , et al. (23 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Neutron-deficient $^{177-185}$Hg isotopes were studied using in-source laser resonance-ionization spectroscopy at the CERN-ISOLDE radioactive ion-beam facility, in an experiment combining different detection methods tailored to the studied isotopes. These include either alpha-decay tagging or Multi-reflection Time-of-Flight gating to identify the isotopes of interest. The endpoint of the odd-even… ▽ More Neutron-deficient $^{177-185}$Hg isotopes were studied using in-source laser resonance-ionization spectroscopy at the CERN-ISOLDE radioactive ion-beam facility, in an experiment combining different detection methods tailored to the studied isotopes. These include either alpha-decay tagging or Multi-reflection Time-of-Flight gating to identify the isotopes of interest. The endpoint of the odd-even nuclear shape staggering in mercury was observed directly by measuring for the first time the isotope shifts and hyperfine structures of $^{177-180}$Hg. Changes in the mean-square charge radii for all mentioned isotopes, magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments of the odd-A isotopes and arguments in favor of $I = 7/2$ spin assignment for $^{177,179}$Hg were deduced. Experimental results are compared with Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Monte-Carlo Shell Model (MCSM) calculations. DFT calculations with several Skyrme parameterizations predict a large jump in the charge radius around the neutron $N = 104$ mid shell, with an odd-even staggering pattern related to the coexistence of nearly-degenerate oblate and prolate minima. This near-degeneracy is highly sensitive to many aspects of the effective interaction, a fact that renders perfect agreement with experiment out of reach for current functionals. Despite this inherent diffculty, the SLy5s1 and a modified UNEDF1^{SO} parameterization predict a qualitatively correct staggering that is off by two neutron numbers. MCSM calculations of states with the experimental spins and parities show good agreement for both electromagnetic moments and the observed charge radii. A clear mechanism for the origin of shape staggering within this context is identified: a substantial change in occupancy of the proton $πh_{9/2}$ and neutron $νi_{13/2}$ orbitals. △ Less

Submitted 28 February, 2019; originally announced February 2019.

Comments: 19 pages, 18 figures

Rearrangement of valence neutrons in the neutrinoless double-$β$ decay of $^{136}$Xe

Authors: S. V. Szwec, B. P. Kay, T. E. Cocolios, J. P. Entwisle, S. J. Freeman, L. P. Gaffney, V. Guimarães, F. Hammache, P. P. McKee, E. Parr, C. Portail, J. P. Schiffer, N. de Séréville, D. K. Sharp, J. F. Smith, I. Stefan

Abstract: A quantitative description of the change in ground-state neutron occupancies between $^{136}$Xe and $^{136}$Ba, the initial and final state in the neutrinoless double-$β$ decay of $^{136}$Xe, has been extracted from precision measurements of the cross sections of single-neutron adding and -removing reactions. Comparisons are made to recent theoretical calculations of the same properties using vari… ▽ More A quantitative description of the change in ground-state neutron occupancies between $^{136}$Xe and $^{136}$Ba, the initial and final state in the neutrinoless double-$β$ decay of $^{136}$Xe, has been extracted from precision measurements of the cross sections of single-neutron adding and -removing reactions. Comparisons are made to recent theoretical calculations of the same properties using various nuclear-structure models. These are the same calculations used to determine the magnitude of the nuclear matrix elements for the process, which at present disagree with each other by factors of 2 or 3. The experimental neutron occupancies show some disagreement with the theoretical calculations. △ Less

Submitted 15 November, 2016; originally announced November 2016.

Comments: 7 pages, 3 figures, 1 table

Journal ref: Phys. Rev. C 94, 054314 (2016)

Early onset of ground-state deformation in the neutron-deficient polonium isotopes

Authors: T. E. Cocolios, W. Dexters, M. D. Seliverstov, A. N. Andreyev, S. Antalic, A. E. Barzakh, B. Bastin, J. Buscher, I. G. Darby, D. V. Fedorov, V. N. Fedosseyev, K. T. Flanagan, S. Franchoo, S. Fritzsche, G. Huber, M. Huyse, M. Keupers, U. Koster, Yu. Kudryavtsev, E. Mane, B. A. Marsh, P. L. Molkanov, R. D. Page, A. M. Sjoedin, I. Stefan , et al. (6 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: In-source resonant ionization laser spectroscopy of the even-$A$ polonium isotopes $^{192-210,216,218}$Po has been performed using the $6p^37s$ $^5S_2$ to $6p^37p$ $^5P_2$ ($λ=843.38$ nm) transition in the polonium atom (Po-I) at the CERN ISOLDE facility. The comparison of the measured isotope shifts in $^{200-210}$Po with a previous data set allows to test for the first time recent large-scale at… ▽ More In-source resonant ionization laser spectroscopy of the even-$A$ polonium isotopes $^{192-210,216,218}$Po has been performed using the $6p^37s$ $^5S_2$ to $6p^37p$ $^5P_2$ ($λ=843.38$ nm) transition in the polonium atom (Po-I) at the CERN ISOLDE facility. The comparison of the measured isotope shifts in $^{200-210}$Po with a previous data set allows to test for the first time recent large-scale atomic calculations that are essential to extract the changes in the mean-square charge radius of the atomic nucleus. When going to lighter masses, a surprisingly large and early departure from sphericity is observed, which is only partly reproduced by Beyond Mean Field calculations. △ Less

Submitted 11 October, 2010; originally announced October 2010.

Comments: As submitted to PRL