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Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Line Shape Analysis of Dynamic NMR Spectra for Characterizing Coordination Sphere Rearrangements at a Chiral Rhenium Polyhydride Complex
Published on: July 27, 2022
Global calculation of nuclear shape isomers.
Peter Möller1, Arnold J Sierk, Ragnar Bengtsson
1Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA. moller@lanl.gov
This study explores nuclear shape isomerism across 7206 nuclei using a macroscopic-microscopic model. It identifies potential shape-isomeric states, particularly in unexplored regions near Lead-208, offering new experimental avenues.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Physics
- Quantum Mechanics
Background:
- Nuclear shape isomerism is a phenomenon where atomic nuclei can exist in a metastable, deformed state.
- Understanding these states is crucial for nuclear structure theory and predicting nuclear properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate the occurrence and characteristics of nuclear shape isomerism.
- To identify regions of the nuclear chart with potential for experimentally observable shape-isomeric states.
- To compare theoretical predictions with experimental data for validation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a macroscopic-microscopic model to compute potential-energy surfaces.
- Analyzed shape coordinates including spheroidal (ε₂), hexadecapole (ε₄), and axial asymmetry (γ).
- Calculated and analyzed minima deeper than 0.2 MeV for 7206 nuclei (A=31–290).
Main Results:
- Identified shape isomers predominantly in the A=80, A=100, and near the (208)Pb regions.
- Calculated the number of minima for each nucleus, revealing an unexplored region of shape isomerism northeast of (82)(208)Pb.
- Model predictions were compared with experimental data for Krypton isotopes.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive map of potential shape-isomeric states across a wide range of nuclei.
- Highlights a novel, experimentally accessible region for shape isomerism research near (82)(208)Pb.
- The macroscopic-microscopic model serves as a reliable tool for predicting nuclear shape phenomena.
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