676 research outputs found
How magic is the magic 68Ni nucleus?
We calculate the B(E2) strength in 68Ni and other nickel isotopes using
several theoretical approaches. We find that in 68Ni the gamma transition to
the first 2+ state exhausts only a fraction of the total B(E2) strength, which
is mainly collected in excited states around 5 MeV. This effect is sensitive to
the energy splitting between the fp shell and the g_{9/2}orbital. We argue that
the small experimental B(E2) value is not strong evidence for the double-magic
character of 68Ni.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
On the temperature dependence of the symmetry energy
We perform large-scale shell model Monte Carlo (SMMC) calculations for many
nuclei in the mass range A=56-65 in the complete pfg_{9/2}d_{5/2} model space
using an effective quadrupole-quadrupole+pairing residual interaction. Our
calculations are performed at finite temperatures between T=0.33-2 MeV. Our
main focus is the temperature dependence of the symmetry energy which we
determine from the energy differences between various isobaric pairs with the
same pairing structure and at different temperatures. Our SMMC studies are
consistent with an increase of the symmetry energy with temperature. We also
investigate possible consequences for core-collapse supernovae events
SMMC method for two-neutrino double beta decay
Shell Model Monte Carlo (SMMC) techniques are used to calculate two-neutrino
double beta decay matrix elements. We validate the approach against direct
diagonalization for Ca in the complete -shell using the KB3
interaction. The method is then applied to the decay of Ge in the
model space using a newly calculated realistic
interaction. Our result for the matrix element is MeV, in
agreement with the experimental value.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures available at
http://www.krl.caltech.edu/preprints/MAP.htm
Practical solution to the Monte Carlo sign problem: Realistic calculations of 54Fe
We present a practical solution to the "sign problem" in the auxiliary field
Monte Carlo approach to the nuclear shell model. The method is based on
extrapolation from a continuous family of problem-free Hamiltonians. To
demonstrate the resultant ability to treat large shell-model problems, we
present results for 54Fe in the full fp-shell basis using the Brown-Richter
interaction. We find the Gamow-Teller beta^+ strength to be quenched by 58%
relative to the single-particle estimate, in better agreement with experiment
than previous estimates based on truncated bases.Comment: 11 pages + 2 figures (not included
Total and Parity-Projected Level Densities of Iron-Region Nuclei in the Auxiliary Fields Monte Carlo Shell Model
We use the auxiliary-fields Monte Carlo method for the shell model in the
complete -shell to calculate level densities. We introduce
parity projection techniques which enable us to calculate the parity dependence
of the level density. Results are presented for Fe, where the calculated
total level density is found to be in remarkable agreement with the
experimental level density. The parity-projected densities are well described
by a backshifted Bethe formula, but with significant dependence of the
single-particle level-density and backshift parameters on parity. We compare
our exact results with those of the thermal Hartree-Fock approximation.Comment: 14 pages, 3 Postscript figures included, RevTe
Optomechanical response with nanometer resolution in the self-mixing signal of a terahertz quantum cascade laser
Owing to their intrinsic stability against optical feedback (OF), quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) represent a uniquely versatile source to further improve self-mixing interferometry at mid-infrared and terahertz (THz) frequencies. Here, we show the feasibility of detecting with nanometer precision, the deeply subwavelength (<λ/6000) mechanical vibrations of a suspended Si3N4 membrane used as the external element of a THz QCL feedback interferometer. Besides representing an extension of the applicability of vibrometric characterization at THz frequencies, our system can be exploited for the realization of optomechanical applications, such as dynamical switching between different OF regimes and a still-lacking THz master-slave configuration
The Role of Electron Captures in Chandrasekhar Mass Models for Type Ia Supernovae
The Chandrasekhar mass model for Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia) has received
increasing support from recent comparisons of observations with light curve
predictions and modeling of synthetic spectra. It explains SN Ia events via
thermonuclear explosions of accreting white dwarfs in binary stellar systems,
being caused by central carbon ignition when the white dwarf approaches the
Chandrasekhar mass. As the electron gas in white dwarfs is degenerate,
characterized by high Fermi energies for the high density regions in the
center, electron capture on intermediate mass and Fe-group nuclei plays an
important role in explosive burning. Electron capture affects the central
electron fraction Y_e, which determines the composition of the ejecta from such
explosions. Up to the present, astrophysical tabulations based on shell model
matrix elements were only available for light nuclei in the sd-shell. Recently
new Shell Model Monte Carlo (SMMC) and large-scale shell model diagonalization
calculations have also been performed for pf-shell nuclei. These lead in
general to a reduction of electron capture rates in comparison with previous,
more phenomenological, approaches. Making use of these new shell model based
rates, we present the first results for the composition of Fe-group nuclei
produced in the central regions of SNe Ia and possible changes in the
constraints on model parameters like ignition densities and burning front
speeds.Comment: 26 pages, 8 figures, submitted to Ap
Electron capture on iron group nuclei
We present Gamow-Teller strength distributions from shell model Monte Carlo
studies of fp-shell nuclei that may play an important role in the pre-collapse
evolution of supernovae. We then use these strength distributions to calculate
the electron-capture cross sections and rates in the zero-momentum transfer
limit. We also discuss the thermal behavior of the cross sections. We find
large differences in these cross sections and rates when compared to the naive
single-particle estimates. These differences need to be taken into account for
improved modeling of the early stages of type II supernova evolution
Landau-Ginzburg method applied to finite fermion systems: Pairing in Nuclei
Given the spectrum of a Hamiltonian, a methodology is developed which employs
the Landau-Ginsburg method for characterizing phase transitions in infinite
systems to identify phase transition remnants in finite fermion systems. As a
first application of our appproach we discuss pairing in finite nuclei.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure
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