Disentangling the nuclear shape coexistence in even-even Hg isotopes using the interacting boson model

We intend to provide a consistent description of the even-even Hg isotopes, 172-200Hg, using the interacting boson model including configuration mixing. We pay special attention to the description of the shape of the nuclei and to its connection with the shape coexistence phenomenon.Comment: To appear in CGS15 conference proceedings (EPJ Web of Conferences

An extended Agassi model: algebraic structure, phase diagram, and large size limit

The Agassi model is a schematic two-level model that involves pairing and monopole-monopole interactions. It is, therefore, an extension of the well known Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick (LMG) model. In this paper we review the algebraic formulation of an extension of the Agassi model as well as its bosonic realization through the Schwinger representation. Moreover, a mean-field approximation for the model is presented and its phase diagram discussed. Finally, a $1/j$ analysis, with $j$ proportional to the degeneracy of each level, is worked out to obtain the thermodynamic limit of the ground state energy and some order parameters from the exact Hamiltonian diagonalization for finite$-j$.Comment: Accepted in Physica Scripta. Focus on SSNET 201

Phase diagram of an extended Agassi model

Background: The Agassi model is an extension of the Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model that incorporates the pairing interaction. It is a schematic model that describes the interplay between particle-hole and pair correlations. It was proposed in the 1960's by D. Agassi as a model to simulate the properties of the quadrupole plus pairing model. Purpose: The aim of this work is to extend a previous study by Davis and Heiss generalizing the Agassi model and analyze in detail the phase diagram of the model as well as the different regions with coexistence of several phases. Method: We solve the model Hamiltonian through the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) approximation, introducing two variational parameters that play the role of order parameters. We also compare the HFB calculations with the exact ones. Results: We obtain the phase diagram of the model and classify the order of the different quantum phase transitions appearing in the diagram. The phase diagram presents broad regions where several phases, up to three, coexist. Moreover, there is also a line and a point where four and five phases are degenerated, respectively. Conclusions: The phase diagram of the extended Agassi model presents a rich variety of phases. Phase coexistence is present in extended areas of the parameter space. The model could be an important tool for benchmarking novel many-body approximations.Comment: Accepted for publication in PR

Electro-orientation and electrorotation of metal nanowires

The physical mechanisms responsible for the electrical orientation and electrical rotation of metal nanowires suspended in an electrolyte as a function of frequency of the applied ac electric field are examined theoretically and experimentally. The alignment of a nanowire in an ac field with a fixed direction is called electro-orientation. The induced constant rotation of a nanowire in a rotating electric field is called electrorotation. In both situations, the applied electric field interacts with the induced charge in the electrical double layer at the metal-electrolyte interface, causing rotation due to the torque on the induced dipole, and also from induced-charge electro-osmotic flow around the particle. First, we describe the dipole theory that describes electro-orientation and electrorotation of perfectly polarizable metal rods. Second, based on a slender approximation, an analytical theory that describes induced-charge electro-orientation and electrorotation of metal nanowires is provided. Finally, experimental measurements of the electro-orientation and electrorotation of metal nanowires are presented and compared with theory, providing a comprehensive study of the relative importance between induced-dipole rotation and induced-charge electro-osmotic rotation

Quantum Phase Transitions in the Interacting Boson Model: Integrability, level repulsion and level crossing

We study the quantum phase transition mechanisms that arise in the Interacting Boson Model. We show that the second-order nature of the phase transition from U(5) to O(6) may be attributed to quantum integrability, whereas all the first-order phase transitions of the model are due to level repulsion with one singular point of level crossing. We propose a model Hamiltonian with a true first-order phase transition for finite systems due to level crossings.Comment: Accepted in PR

Variable stars in the VVV globular clusters

Indexación: Scopus.The VVV survey observed some of the most crowded and most obscured regions in the inner Milky Way during the last years. A significant sample of the less known globular clusters in our galaxy lie there. Combining the high-resolution, wide-field, near infrared capabilities of the survey camera, the use of 5 different filters, and multi-epoch observations, we are able to overcome many of the previous challenges that prevented a proper study of these objects. Particularly, the identification of the RR Lyrae stars in these globular clusters is proving to be a fundamental tool to establish accurately their distances and reddenings, and to infer information about the Oosterhoff dichotomy that Galactic globular clusters seem to follow. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2017.https://www.epj-conferences.org/articles/epjconf/pdf/2017/21/epjconf_puls2017_01022.pd