A self-consistent quantal description of high-K states in the tilted-axis cranking model

A self-consistent and quantal description of high-$K$ bands is given in the framework of the tilted-axis cranking model. (With a $\theta=90^{\circ}$ tilt angle with respect to $x$-axis, this cranking model is equivalent to the $z$-axis cranking.) The numerical results of the HFB calculations in this framework are compared with experimental data for two quasi-particle excited bands with $K^{\pi}=6^+$ in $^{178}$W.Comment: 13 pages, including 5 figures and 1 tabl

Rotation-driven prolate-to-oblate shape phase transition in 190W: A projected shell model study

A shape phase transition is demonstrated to occur in 190W by applying the Projected Shell Model, which goes beyond the usual mean-field approximation. Rotation alignment of neutrons in the high-j, i_{13/2} orbital drives the yrast sequence of the system, changing suddenly from prolate to oblate shape at angular momentum 10$\hbar$. We propose observables to test the picture.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Lett.

Nuclear structure of 178Hf related to the spin-16, 31-year isomer

The projected shell model is used to study the multi-quasiparticle and collective excitations of 178Hf. With an axially symmetric basis, the spin-16 isomer at 2.4 MeV appears to be well separated in energy/spin space from other configurations. However, projected energy surface calculations suggest that 178Hf has significant softness to axially asymmetric shapes, which can strongly modify the level distribution. The implications for photodeexitation of the isomer are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Shape coexistence and tilted-axis rotation in neutron-rich hafnium isotopes

We have performed tilted-axis-cranked Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations for a neutron-rich hafnium isotope ($^{182}$Hf) whose proton and neutron numbers are both in the upper shell region. We study whether the shell effects play a role in producing high-$K$ isomers or highly gamma-deformed states at high spin. In particular, the possibility of shape coexistence and the effect of wobbling motion are discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Phys. Lett.

Superdeformed multi-quasiparticle high-K states and possible isomers in Pb and Po isotopes

Configuration-constrained potential-energy-surface calculations have been performed to investigate multi-quasiparticle high-K states built on superdeformed minima in 192,194,196Pb and 198Po. The calculations predict that 196Pb and 198Po would be favorable candidates for the observation of low-lying superdeformed two- and four-quasiparticle high-K states. The possible decay paths and lifetimes that could lead to isomers are evaluated in detail for 196Pb. Comparisons between the predictions and previous observations of octupole-vibrational excitations indicate also that bands built on superdeformed high-K intrinsic states may compete with the octupole-vibrational mode in this mass region. The quadrupole moments of both the collective and intrinsic excitations are analyzed

Three-dimensional rotation of even-even triaxial nuclei

With the self-consistent three-dimensional cranked Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (3d-cranked HFB) method, various types of rotational motion near the yrast line are investigated in an even-even nucleus in the $A\simeq 130$ mass region ($^{134}_{58}$Ce$_{76}$). The possibilities of chiral rotations, tilted-rotations, and dynamical aspects of these rotations are discussed through the analysis of the 3d-cranked HFB solutions. Although a stable planar solution of the chiral rotation is obtained, an aplanar chiral configuration is found to be unstable when triaxial deformation is treated self-consistently.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures; accepted for publication in Phys. Lett.

Simulation of nitrate, sulfate, and ammonium aerosols over the United States

Atmospheric concentrations of inorganic gases and aerosols (nitrate, sulfate, and ammonium) are simulated for 2009 over the United States using the chemical transport model GEOS-Chem. Predicted aerosol concentrations are compared with surface-level measurement data from the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE), the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET), and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Sulfate predictions nationwide are in reasonably good agreement with observations, while nitrate and ammonium are over-predicted in the East and Midwest, but under-predicted in California, where observed concentrations are the highest in the country. Over-prediction of nitrate in the East and Midwest is consistent with results of recent studies, which suggest that nighttime nitric acid formation by heterogeneous hydrolysis of N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> is over-predicted based on current values of the N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> uptake coefficient, γ, onto aerosols. After reducing the value of γ by a factor of 10, predicted nitrate levels in the US Midwest and East still remain higher than those measured, and over-prediction of nitrate in this region remains unexplained. Comparison of model predictions with satellite measurements of ammonia from the Tropospheric Emissions Spectrometer (TES) indicates that ammonia emissions in GEOS-Chem are underestimated in California and that the nationwide seasonality applied to ammonia emissions in GEOS-Chem does not represent California very well, particularly underestimating winter emissions. An ammonia sensitivity study indicates that GEOS-Chem simulation of nitrate is ammonia-limited in southern California and much of the state, suggesting that an underestimate of ammonia emissions is likely the main cause for the under-prediction of nitrate aerosol in many areas of California. An approximate doubling of ammonia emissions is needed to reproduce observed nitrate concentrations in southern California and in other ammonia sensitive areas of California. However, even a tenfold increase in ammonia emissions yields predicted nitrate concentrations that are still biased low in the central valley of California. The under-prediction of nitrate aerosol in the central valley of California may arise in part from an under-prediction of both ammonia and nitric acid in this region. Since nitrate aerosols are particularly sensitive to mixed layer depths, owing to the gas-particle equilibrium, the nitrate under-prediction could also arise in part from a potential regional overestimate of GEOS-5 mixed layer depths in the central valley due to unresolved topography in this region

Residual interactions and the K-mixing-induced fast decay of the three-quasiparticle isomer in 171 Tm

The anomalously fast decay of a 19/2 + three-quasiparticle isomer in 171Tm was interpreted recently as an example of K mixing induced by a very small mixing matrix element but a (random) close proximity to a collective state. To understand the source of the residual interaction we have generalized the projected shell model by introducing two-body octupole and hexadecupole forces into the Hamiltonian and expanding the model space with inclusion of specific three-quasiparticle configurations. It is found that the K mixing is built up from small interactions transferred through numerous highly excited configurations that contain high-j orbitals. While the chance near-degeneracy enhances the transition strength, the octupole correlation and Coriolis coupling produce the mixing matrix element