S. M. Mullins

Bio: S. M. Mullins is an academic researcher from National Research Foundation of South Africa. The author has contributed to research in topics: Moment of inertia & Yrast. The author has an hindex of 23, co-authored 139 publications receiving 1918 citations. Previous affiliations of S. M. Mullins include Australian National University & McMaster University.

Evidence for Octupole Correlations in Multiple Chiral Doublet Bands.

Abstract: Two pairs of positive-and negative-parity doublet bands together with eight strong electric dipole transitions linking their yrast positive- and negative-parity bands have been identified in ^{78}Br. They are interpreted as multiple chiral doublet bands with octupole correlations, which is supported by the microscopic multidimensionally-constrained covariant density functional theory and triaxial particle rotor model calculations. This observation reports the first example of chiral geometry in octupole soft nuclei.

First evidence for the hyperdeformed nuclear shape at high angular momentum

Abstract: A ridge structure consisting of stretched [ital E]2 transitions and extending from [h bar][omega][congruent]0.6 to 0.75 MeV has been found in a proton-selected [gamma]-[gamma] matrix in the reaction [sup 120]Sn([sup 37]Cl, xn)[sup 152,153]Dy at 187 MeV. The ridge spacing corresponds to a dynamic moment of inertia, [ital scrI][sup (2)], of about 130[h bar][sup 2] MeV[sup [minus]1] and suggests the existence of a hyperdeformed prolate shape with a quadrupole deformation [beta][sub 2][ge]0.9. Furthermore, a cascade of 10 discrete transitions with an average energy spacing of 30[plus minus]3 keV has been found. This result is consistent with calculations indicating conditions favorable to hyperdeformed structures.

Possible chirality in the doubly-odd Tl-198 nucleus: Residual interaction at play

Abstract: A candidate for chiral bands was found in Tl-198 for the first time in a mass region of oblate (or nonaxial with gamma >= 30 degrees) deformed nuclei. Two bands show very similar quasiparticle alignments, moments of inertia, and B(M1)/B(E2) ratios. They have a relative excitation energy of about 500 keV and different patterns of energy staggering. Calculations using the two-quasiparticle-plus-triaxial-rotor model with residual proton-neutron interaction included show that a triaxial deformation with gamma similar to 44 degrees agrees very well with all the experimental observations. Furthennore, considerable energy staggering for both partner bands was calculated for this pi h(9/2) circle times vi(13/2)(-1) configuration at gamma - 30 degrees, suggesting that chiral bands may have substantial energy staggering. (Less)

Transition probability from the ground to the first-excited 2^+ state of even-even nuclides

Abstract: Adopted values for the reduced electric quadrupole transition probability, B(E2)↑, from the ground state to the first-excited 2+ state of even–even nuclides are given in Table I. Values of τ, the mean life of the 2+ state; E, the energy; and β, the quadrupole deformation parameter, are also listed there. The ratio of β to the value expected from the single-particle model is presented. The intrinsic quadrupole moment, Q0, is deduced from the B(E2)↑ value. The product E×B(E2)↑ is expressed as a percentage of the energy-weighted total and isoscalar E2 sum-rule strengths. Table II presents the data on which Table I is based, namely the experimental results for B(E2)↑ values with quoted uncertainties. Information is also given on the quantity measured and the method used. The literature has been covered to November 2000. The adopted B(E2)↑ values are compared in Table III with the values given by systematics and by various theoretical models. Predictions of unmeasured B(E2)↑ values are also given in Table III.

Shape coexistence in atomic nuclei

Abstract: Shape coexistence in nuclei appears to be unique in the realm of finite many-body quantum systems It differs from the various geometrical arrangements that sometimes occur in a molecule in that in a molecule the various arrangements are of the widely separated atomic nuclei In nuclei the various ''arrangements'' of nucleons involve (sets of) energy eigenstates with different electric quadrupole properties such as moments and transition rates, and different distributions of proton pairs and neutron pairs with respect to their Fermi energies Sometimes two such structures will ''invert'' as a function of the nucleon number, resulting in a sudden and dramatic change in ground-state properties in neighboring isotopes and isotones In the first part of this review the theoretical status of coexistence in nuclei is summarized Two approaches, namely, microscopic shell-model descriptions and mean-field descriptions, are emphasized The second part of this review presents systematic data, for both even- and odd-mass nuclei, selected to illustrate the various ways in which coexistence is observed in nuclei The last part of this review looks to future developments and the issue of the universality of coexistence in nuclei Surprises continue to be discovered With the major advances in reaching to extremes of proton-neutronmore » number, and the anticipated new ''rare isotope beam'' facilities, guidelines for search and discovery are discussed« less

Intrinsic reflection asymmetry in atomic nuclei

Abstract: The experimental and theoretical evidence for intrinsic reflection-asymmetric shapes in nuclei is reviewed. The theoretical methods discussed cover a wide spectrum, from mean-field theory and its extensions to algebraic and cluster approaches. The experimental data for nuclear ground states and at low and high spin, cited as evidence for reflection asymmetry, are collected and categorized. The extensive data on electric dipole transition moments and their theoretical interpretation are surveyed, along with available data on electric octupole moments. The evidence for reflection-asymmetric molecular states in light nuclei is summarized. The application of reflection-asymmetric theories to descriptions of the fission barrier, bimodal fission, superdeformation, and hyperdeformations is reviewed, and some other perspectives in the wider context of nuclear physics are also given. [S0034-6861(96)00102-X]

Measuring barriers to fusion

Abstract: ▪ Abstract The experimental extraction of detailed barrier distributions has brought a significant advance in the study of the fusion of heavy nuclei, and indeed in the entire heavy-ion reaction process. A quantitative understanding of the entrance-channel effects induced by target and projectile structure has emerged, based on recent high-precision measurements of fusion excitation functions. These distributions show clearly whether the experimental data are good enough to give the information required. They are also the functions best suited to the theoretical interpretation of the reaction dynamics—often presenting an unambiguous “fingerprint” of the target and projectile structure. We are now at the stage where we can start to exploit the insights gained in order to understand properties of the compound nucleus created: its spin distribution and evaporation residues, perhaps its possible shapes, and, in the case of heavy systems, its subsequent fission.