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Shell-Structure and Pairing Interaction in Superheavy Nuclei: Rotational Properties of the Z=104 Nucleus Rf256

P. T. Greenlees et al.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 012501 – Published 3 July 2012
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Abstract

The rotational band structure of the Z=104 nucleus Rf256 has been observed up to a tentative spin of 20 using state-of-the-art γ-ray spectroscopic techniques. This represents the first such measurement in a superheavy nucleus whose stability is entirely derived from the shell-correction energy. The observed rotational properties are compared to those of neighboring nuclei and it is shown that the kinematic and dynamic moments of inertia are sensitive to the underlying single-particle shell structure and the specific location of high-j orbitals. The moments of inertia therefore provide a sensitive test of shell structure and pairing in superheavy nuclei which is essential to ensure the validity of contemporary nuclear models in this mass region. The data obtained show that there is no deformed shell gap at Z=104, which is predicted in a number of current self-consistent mean-field models.

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  • Received 4 May 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.012501

This article is available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.

Published by the American Physical Society

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Putting a Spin on Superheavy Elements

Published 3 July 2012

Gamma-ray spectroscopy of the superheavy nucleus 256Rutherfordium reveals details of its nonspherical shape and internal structure—the heaviest element for which such information has been obtained.

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Vol. 109, Iss. 1 — 6 July 2012

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