New magic number for neutron rich Sn isotopes

The variation of E(2+_1) of (134-140)Sn calculated with empirical SMPN interaction has striking similarity with that of experimental E(2+_1) of even-even (18-22)O and (42-48)Ca, showing clearly that N=84-88 spectra exhibit the effect of gradual filling up of \nu(2f_{7/2}) orbital which finally culminates in a new shell closure at N=90. Realistic two-body interaction CWG does not show this feature. Spin-tensor decomposition of SMPN and CWG interactions and variation of their components with valence neutron number reveals that the origin of the shell closure at 140Sn lies in the three body effects. Calculations with CWG3, which is obtained by including a simple three-body monopole term in the CWG interaction, predict decreasing E(2+_1) for (134-138)Sn and a shell closure at 140Sn.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Understanding Nuclei in the upper sd - shell

Nuclei in the upper-$sd$ shell usually exhibit characteristics of spherical single particle excitations. In the recent years, employment of sophisticated techniques of gamma spectroscopy has led to observation of high spin states of several nuclei near A$\simeq$ 40. In a few of them multiparticle, multihole rotational states coexist with states of single particle nature. We have studied a few nuclei in this mass region experimentally, using various campaigns of the Indian National Gamma Array setup. We have compared and combined our empirical observations with the large-scale shell model results to interpret the structure of these nuclei. Indication of population of states of large deformation has been found in our data. This gives us an opportunity to investigate the interplay of single particle and collective degrees of freedom in this mass region.Comment: 8 pages, 13 figures, submitted for publication in the Proceedings of "Frontiers in Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy 2012 (FIG12), held at New Delhi, March 5th - 7th, 2012, Organized by Inter University Accelerator Center, New Delhi, Indi

Structure of A=138 isobars above the 132Sn core and the N-N interaction in the neutron-rich environment

Large basis untruncated shell model calculations have been done for the A=138 neutron -rich nuclei in the pi(gdsh) X nu(hfpi) valence space above the 132Sn core. Two (1+2) -body nuclear Hamiltonians, viz., realistic CWG and empirical SMPN in this model space have been used. Calculated ground state binding energies, level spectra and other spectroscopic properties have been compared with the available experimental data. Importance of untruncated shell model calculations in this model space has been pointed out. Shell model results for the very neutron rich Sn isotope (138Sn, N/Z=1.76) of astrophysical interest for which no spectroscopic information except beta -decay half life is available, have been presented. Shell structure and evolution of collectivity in the even-even A=138 isobars have been studied as a function of valence neutron and /or proton numbers. Calculations done for the first time, reproduce remarkably well the collective vibrational states in 138Te and 138Xe. Comparison of some of the important two-body matrix elements of the empirical SMPN, CW5082 and the realistic CWG interactions has been done. These matrix elements are important for ground state binding energies and low-lying spectra of nuclei in this region. Consideration of the predictability of the two interactions seems to suggest that, in order to incorporate the special features of the N-N interaction in such exotic n-rich environment above the 132Sn core, the use of local spectroscopic information from the region might be essential.Comment: 22 pages, 14 figure

Astrophysical Implication of Low E(2^+_1) in Neutron-rich Sn Isotopes

The observation and prediction of unusually depressed first excited 2^+_1 states in even-A neutron - rich isotopes of semi-magic Sn above 132Sn provide motivations for reviewing the problems related to the nuclear astrophysics in general. In the present work, the beta-decay rates of the exotic even Sn isotopes (134,136Sn) above the 132Sn core have been calculated as a function of temperature (T). In order to get the necessary ft values, B(GT) values corresponding to allowed Gamow Teller (GT-) beta-decay have been theoretically calculated using shell model. The total decay rate shows decrease with increasing temperature as the ground state population is depleted and population of excited states with slower decay rates increases. The abundance at each Z value is inversely proportional to the decay constant of the waiting point nucleus for that particular Z. So the increase in half-life of isotopes of Sn, like 136Sn, might have substantial impact on the r-process nucleosynthesis.Comment: 4th International Workshop on Nuclear Fission and Fission Product Spectroscopy, CEA Cadarache, May 13 - 16, 2009, 4 pages, 2 figure