Transition probabilities in 134Pr: a test for chirality in nuclear systems

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Atomic Physics
• Quantum Mechanics

Background:

• Understanding nuclear structure and collective excitations is crucial in nuclear physics.
• Chirality in atomic nuclei, particularly the phenomenon of static and dynamic chirality, remains an active area of research.
• Shape fluctuations significantly influence nuclear properties and excitation modes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the excited states in the nucleus 134Pr.
• To explore the presence and nature of chirality in 134Pr.
• To compare experimental data with theoretical models, specifically the two-quasiparticle plus triaxial rotor and interacting boson-fermion-fermion models.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the fusion-evaporation reaction 119Sn(19F,4n)134Pr to populate excited states in 134Pr.
• Employed Recoil Distance Doppler-shift (RDDS) and Doppler-Shift Attenuation (DSA) measurements.
• Data were collected using the Euroball spectrometer, Bismuth Germanate ball, and Cologne plunger at specific beam energies (87 MeV and 83 MeV).

Main Results:

• Reduced transition probabilities in 134Pr were experimentally determined.
• The experimental findings do not support the existence of static chirality in 134Pr.
• Shape fluctuations were identified as a significant factor in the nuclear structure of 134Pr.

Conclusions:

• The study indicates that static chirality is not present in 134Pr.
• The importance of nuclear shape fluctuations is highlighted.
• The presence of intrinsic chirality in 134Pr is supported only within a dynamical framework.