95 research outputs found
Spontaneous fission modes and lifetimes of super-heavy elements in the nuclear density functional theory
Lifetimes of super-heavy (SH) nuclei are primarily governed by alpha decay
and spontaneous fission (SF). Here we study the competing decay modes of
even-even SH isotopes with 108 <= Z <= 126 and 148 <= N <= 188 using the
state-of-the-art self-consistent nuclear density functional theory framework
capable of describing the competition between nuclear attraction and
electrostatic repulsion. The collective mass tensor of the fissioning
superfluid nucleus is computed by means of the cranking approximation to the
adiabatic time-dependent Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach. Along the path to
fission, our calculations allow for the simultaneous breaking of axial and
space inversion symmetries; this may result in lowering SF lifetimes by more
than seven orders of magnitude in some cases. We predict two competing SF
modes: reflection-symmetric and reflection-asymmetric.The shortest-lived SH
isotopes decay by SF; they are expected to lie in a narrow corridor formed by
Hs, Fl, and Uuo that separates the regions of SH
nuclei synthesized in "cold fusion" and "hot fusion" reactions. The region of
long-lived SH nuclei is expected to be centered on Ds with a total
half-life of ?1.5 days.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
Fission modes of mercury isotopes
Background: Recent experiments on beta-delayed fission in the mercury-lead
region and the discovery of asym- metric fission in 180 Hg [1] have stimulated
theoretical interest in the mechanism of fission in heavy nuclei. Purpose: We
study fission modes and fusion valleys in 180 Hg and 198 Hg to reveal the role
of shell effects in pre-scission region and explain the experimentally observed
fragment mass asymmetry and its variation with A. Methods: We use the
self-consistent nuclear density functional theory employing Skyrme and Gogny
energy density functionals. Results: The potential energy surfaces in
multi-dimensional space of collective coordinates, including elongation,
triaxiality, reflection-asymmetry, and necking, are calculated for 180 Hg and
198 Hg. The asymmetric fission valleys - well separated from fusion valleys
associated with nearly spherical fragments - are found in in both cases. The
density distributions at scission configurations are studied and related to the
experimentally observed mass splits. Conclusions: The energy density
functionals SkM\ast and D1S give a very consistent description of the fission
process in 180 Hg and 198 Hg. We predict a transition from asymmetric fission
in 180 Hg towards more symmetric distribution of fission fragments in 198 Hg.
For 180 Hg, both models yield 100 Ru/80 Kr as the most probable split. For 198
Hg, the most likely split is 108 Ru/90 Kr in HFB-D1S and 110 Ru/88 Kr in
HFB-SkM\ast.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, to be published in Physical Review
Augmented Lagrangian Method for Constrained Nuclear Density Functional Theory
The augmented Lagrangiam method (ALM), widely used in quantum chemistry
constrained optimization problems, is applied in the context of the nuclear
Density Functional Theory (DFT) in the self-consistent constrained Skyrme
Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (CHFB) variant. The ALM allows precise calculations of
multidimensional energy surfaces in the space of collective coordinates that
are needed to, e.g., determine fission pathways and saddle points; it improves
accuracy of computed derivatives with respect to collective variables that are
used to determine collective inertia; and is well adapted to supercomputer
applications.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures; to appear in Eur. Phys. J.
Global instability of currencies: reasons and perspectives according to the state-corporation hegemonic stability theory
Thermal fission rate around super-normal phase transition
Using Langer's method, we discuss the temperature dependence of
nuclear fission width in the presence of dissipative environments. We introduce
a low cut-off frequency to the spectral density of the environmental
oscillators in order to mimic the pairing gap. It is shown that the decay width
rapidly decreases at the critical temperature, where the phase transition from
super to normal fluids takes place. Relation to the recently observed threshold
for the dissipative fission is discussed.Comment: 12 pages, Latex, Submitted to Physical Review C for publication, 3
Postscript figures are available by request from
[email protected]
Development of a PbWO4 Detector for Single-Shot Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy at the GBAR Experiment
We have developed a PbWO4 (PWO) detector with a large dynamic range to measure the intensity of a positron beam and the absolute density of the ortho-positronium (o-Ps) cloud it creates. A simulation study shows that a setup based on such detectors may be used to determine the angular distribution of the emission and reflection of o-Ps to reduce part of the uncertainties of the measurement. These will allow to improve the precision in the measurement of the cross-section for the (anti)hydrogen formation by (anti)proton-positronium charge exchange and to optimize the yield of antihydrogen ion which is an essential parameter in the GBAR experiment
The nuclear energy density functional formalism
The present document focuses on the theoretical foundations of the nuclear
energy density functional (EDF) method. As such, it does not aim at reviewing
the status of the field, at covering all possible ramifications of the approach
or at presenting recent achievements and applications. The objective is to
provide a modern account of the nuclear EDF formalism that is at variance with
traditional presentations that rely, at one point or another, on a {\it
Hamiltonian-based} picture. The latter is not general enough to encompass what
the nuclear EDF method represents as of today. Specifically, the traditional
Hamiltonian-based picture does not allow one to grasp the difficulties
associated with the fact that currently available parametrizations of the
energy kernel at play in the method do not derive from a genuine
Hamilton operator, would the latter be effective. The method is formulated from
the outset through the most general multi-reference, i.e. beyond mean-field,
implementation such that the single-reference, i.e. "mean-field", derives as a
particular case. As such, a key point of the presentation provided here is to
demonstrate that the multi-reference EDF method can indeed be formulated in a
{\it mathematically} meaningful fashion even if does {\it not} derive
from a genuine Hamilton operator. In particular, the restoration of symmetries
can be entirely formulated without making {\it any} reference to a projected
state, i.e. within a genuine EDF framework. However, and as is illustrated in
the present document, a mathematically meaningful formulation does not
guarantee that the formalism is sound from a {\it physical} standpoint. The
price at which the latter can be enforced as well in the future is eventually
alluded to.Comment: 64 pages, 8 figures, submitted to Euroschool Lecture Notes in Physics
Vol.IV, Christoph Scheidenberger and Marek Pfutzner editor
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