Abstract
Mass measurements of using the ISOLTRAP Penning-trap spectrometer at CERN-ISOLDE are reported, extending the mass surface beyond for . These new results show behavior in sharp contrast to the heavier neighbors where a sudden and intense deformation is present. We interpret this as the establishment of a nuclear quantum phase transition critical-point boundary. The new masses confirm findings from nuclear mean-square charge-radius measurements up to but are at variance with conclusions from recent gamma-ray spectroscopy.
- Received 16 March 2010
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.032502
©2010 American Physical Society