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Large Shape Staggering in Neutron-Deficient Bi Isotopes
A Barzakh1, A N Andreyev2,3, C Raison2
1Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, NRC Kurchatov Institute, 188300 Gatchina, Russia.
Physical Review Letters
|November 19, 2021
Summary
Researchers measured nuclear properties of Bismuth isotopes. They discovered significant staggering in charge radii and isomer shifts at neutron number N=105, providing insights into nuclear structure.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Physics
- Atomic Physics
Background:
- Nuclear structure studies are crucial for understanding atomic nuclei.
- Isotopes of Bismuth (Bi) provide a unique region to study nuclear shape and properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure the mean-square charge radius, magnetic dipole, and electric quadrupole moments of Bismuth isotopes (187, 188, 189, 191).
- To investigate the observed staggering in nuclear radii and isomer shifts at neutron number N=105.
Main Methods:
- Utilized in-source resonance-ionization spectroscopy at ISOLDE (CERN).
- Performed precise measurements of nuclear moments and charge radii for selected Bi isotopes.
Main Results:
- Observed a significant staggering in the mean-square charge radii of 187, 188, 189Bi, with a notable increase for 188Bi.
- Detected a large isomer shift in 188Bi, occurring at the same neutron number (N=105) as shape staggering in mercury isotopes.
- Mean-field calculations successfully reproduced experimental results, identifying states by blocked quasiparticle configurations.
Conclusions:
- The findings highlight a shape transition or deformation effects in this region of the nuclear chart.
- The observed phenomena at N=105 suggest a common underlying nuclear structure mechanism across different isotopic chains.
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