The shell structure of atomic nuclei is associated with 'magic numbers' and originates in the nearly independent motion of neutrons and protons in a mean potential generated by all nucleons. During beta(+)-decay, a proton transforms into a neutron in a previously not fully occupied orbital, emitting a positron-neutrino pair with either parallel or antiparallel spins, in a Gamow-Teller or Fermi transition, respectively. The transition probability, or strength, of a Gamow-Teller transition depends sensitively on the underlying shell structure and is usually distributed among many states in the neighbouring nucleus. Here we report measurements of the half-life and decay energy for the decay of Sn-100, the heaviest doubly magic nucleus with equal numbers of protons and neutrons. In the beta-decay of Sn-100, a large fraction of the strength is observable because of the large decay energy. We determine the largest Gamow-Teller strength so far measured in allowed nuclear beta-decay, establishing the 'superallowed' nature of this Gamow-Teller transition. The large strength and the low-energy states in the daughter nucleus, In-100, are well reproduced by modern, large-scale shell model calculations.

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Superallowed Gamow-Teller decay of the doubly magic nucleus 100Sn

Overview of neutron-proton pairing

β-decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclei and matter flow in the r-process

Nuclear matter and finite nuclei exhibit the property of superfluidity by forming Cooper pairs. We review the microscopic theories and methods that are being employed to understand the basic properties of superfluid nuclear systems, with emphasis on the spatially extended matter encountered in neutron stars, supernova envelopes, and nuclear collisions. Our survey of quantum many-body methods includes techniques that employ Green functions, correlated basis functions, and Monte Carlo sampling of quantum states. With respect to empirical realizations of nucleonic and hadronic superfluids, this review is focused on progress that has been made toward quantitative understanding of their properties at the level of microscopic theories of pairing, with emphasis on the condensates that exist under conditions prevailing in neutron-star interiors. These include singlet S-wave pairing of neutrons in the inner crust, and, in the quantum fluid interior, singlet-S proton pairing and triplet coupled P-F-wave neutron pairing. Additionally, calculations of weak-interaction rates in neutron-star superfluids within the Green function formalism are examined in detail. We close with a discussion of quantum vortex states in nuclear systems and their dynamics in neutron-star superfluid interiors.

Superfluidity in nuclear systems and neutron stars

The role of neutron-proton pairing correlations on the structure of nuclei along the $N=Z$ line is reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on the competition between isovector ($T=1$) and isoscalar $(T=0$) pair fields. The expected properties of these systems, in terms of pairing collective motion, are assessed by different theoretical frameworks including schematic models, realistic Shell Model and mean field approaches. The results are contrasted with experimental data with the goal of establishing clear signals for the existence of neutron-proton ($np$) condensates. We will show that there is clear evidence for an isovector $np$ condensate as expected from isospin invariance. However, and contrary to early expectations, a condensate of deuteron-like pairs appears quite elusive and pairing collectivity in the $T=0$ channel may only show in the form of a phonon. Arguments are presented for the use of direct reactions, adding or removing an $np$ pair, as the most promising tool to provide a definite answer to this intriguing question.

Overview of Neutron-Proton Pairing

Shell structure and magic numbers in atomic nuclei were generally explained by pioneering work(1) that introduced a strong spin-orbit interaction to the nuclear shell model potential. However, know ...

S. Bhattacharyya

Papers

Evidence for a spin-aligned neutron–proton paired phase from the level structure of 92Pd