The impact of nuclear shape on the emergence of the neutron dripline.

Atomic nuclei are composed of a certain number of protons Z and neutrons N. A natural question is how large Z and N can be. The study of superheavy elements explores the large Z limit1,2, and we are still looking for a comprehensive theoretical explanation of the largest possible N for a given Z-the existence limit for the neutron-rich isotopes of a given atomic species, known as the neutron dripline3. The neutron dripline of oxygen (Z = 8) can be understood theoretically as the result of single nucleons filling single-particle orbits confined by a mean potential, and experiments confirm this interpretation. However, recent experiments on heavier elements are at odds with this description. Here we show that the neutron dripline from fluorine (Z = 9) to magnesium (Z = 12) can be predicted using a mechanism that goes beyond the single-particle picture: as the number of neutrons increases, the nuclear shape assumes an increasingly ellipsoidal deformation, leading to a higher binding energy. The saturation of this effect (when the nucleus cannot be further deformed) yields the neutron dripline: beyond this maximum N, the isotope is unbound and further neutrons 'drip' out when added. Our calculations are based on a recently developed effective nucleon-nucleon interaction4, for which large-scale eigenvalue problems are solved using configuration-interaction simulations. The results obtained show good agreement with experiments, even for excitation energies of low-lying states, up to the nucleus of magnesium-40 (which has 28 neutrons). The proposed mechanism for the formation of the neutron dripline has the potential to stimulate further thinking in the field towards explaining nucleosynthesis with neutron-rich nuclei.

Novel Shape Evolution in Sn Isotopes from Magic Numbers 50 to 82.

A novel shape evolution in the Sn isotopes by the state-of-the-art application of the Monte Carlo shell model calculations is presented in a unified way for the ^{100-138}Sn isotopes. A large model space consisting of eight single-particle orbits for protons and neutrons is taken with the fixed Hamiltonian and effective charges, where protons in the 1g_{9/2} orbital are fully activated. While the significant increase of the B(E2;0_{1}^{+}→2_{1}^{+}) value, seen around ^{110}Sn as a function of neutron number (N), has remained a major puzzle over decades, it is explained as a consequence of the shape evolution driven by proton excitations from the 1g_{9/2} orbital. A second-order quantum phase transition is found around N=66, connecting the phase of such deformed shapes to the spherical pairing phase. The shape and shell evolutions are thus described, covering topics from the Gamow-Teller decay of ^{100}Sn to the enhanced double magicity of ^{132}Sn.

Quantum Phase Transition in the Shape of Zr isotopes.

The rapid shape change in Zr isotopes near neutron number N=60 is identified to be caused by type II shell evolution associated with massive proton excitations to its 0g_{9/2} orbit, and is shown to be a quantum phase transition. Monte Carlo shell-model calculations are carried out for Zr isotopes of N=50-70 with many configurations spanned by eight proton orbits and eight neutron orbits. Energy levels and B(E2) values are obtained within a single framework in good agreement with experiment, depicting various shapes in going from N=50 to 70. The novel coexistence of prolate and triaxial shapes is suggested.

Nature of isomerism in exotic sulfur isotopes.

We clarify the origin of the anomalously hindered E2 decay from the 4_{1}^{+} level in ^{44}S by performing a novel many-body analysis in the shell model. Within a unified picture about the occurrence of isomerism in neutron-rich sulfur isotopes, the 4_{1}^{+} state is demonstrated to be a K=4 isomer dominated by the two-quasiparticle configuration νΩ^{π}=1/2^{-}⊗νΩ^{π}=7/2^{-}. The 4_{1}^{+} state in ^{44}S is a new type of high-K isomer which has significant triaxiality.

Detailed deposition density maps constructed by large-scale soil sampling for gamma-ray emitting radioactive nuclides from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

Soil deposition density maps of gamma-ray emitting radioactive nuclides from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) accident were constructed on the basis of results from large-scale soil sampling. In total 10,915 soil samples were collected at 2168 locations. Gamma rays emitted from the samples were measured by Ge detectors and analyzed using a reliable unified method. The determined radioactivity was corrected to that of June 14, 2011 by considering the intrinsic decay constant of each nuclide. Finally the deposition maps were created for (134)Cs, (137)Cs, (131)I, (129m)Te and (110m)Ag. The radioactivity ratio of (134)Cs-(137)Cs was almost constant at 0.91 regardless of the locations of soil sampling. The radioactivity ratios of (131)I and (129m)Te-(137)Cs were relatively high in the regions south of the Fukushima NPP site. Effective doses for 50 y after the accident were evaluated for external and inhalation exposures due to the observed radioactive nuclides. The radiation doses from radioactive cesium were found to be much higher than those from the other radioactive nuclides.

Suppression of charge equilibration leading to the synthesis of exotic nuclei.

Charge equilibration between two colliding nuclei can take place in the early stage of heavy-ion collisions. A basic mechanism of charge equilibration is presented in terms of the extension of single-particle motion from one nucleus to the other, from which the upper energy limit of the bombarding energy is introduced for significant charge equilibration. The formula for this limit is presented, and is compared to various experimental data. It is examined also by comparison to three-dimensional time-dependent density functional calculations. The suppression of charge equilibration, which appears in collisions at the energies beyond the upper energy limit, gives rise to remarkable effects on the synthesis of exotic nuclei with extreme proton-neutron asymmetry.

Three-body forces and the limit of oxygen isotopes.

The limit of neutron-rich nuclei, the neutron drip line, evolves regularly from light to medium-mass nuclei except for a striking anomaly in the oxygen isotopes. This anomaly is not reproduced in shell-model calculations derived from microscopic two-nucleon forces. Here, we present the first microscopic explanation of the oxygen anomaly based on three-nucleon forces that have been established in few-body systems. This leads to repulsive contributions to the interactions among excess neutrons that change the location of the neutron drip line from (28)O to the experimentally observed (24)O. Since the mechanism is robust and general, our findings impact the prediction of the most neutron-rich nuclei and the synthesis of heavy elements in neutron-rich environments.

Novel features of nuclear forces and shell evolution in exotic nuclei.

Novel simple properties of the monopole component of effective nucleon-nucleon interactions are presented, leading to the so-called monopole-based universal interaction. Shell structures are shown to change as functions of N and Z, consistent with experiments. Some key cases of this shell evolution are discussed, clarifying the effects of central and tensor forces. The validity of the present tensor force is examined in terms of the low-momentum interaction V(lowk) and the Q(box) formalism.

Mean-field derivation of the interacting boson model Hamiltonian and exotic nuclei.

A novel way of determining the Hamiltonian of the interacting boson model (IBM) is proposed. Based on the fact that the potential energy surface of the mean-field model, e.g., the Skyrme model, can be simulated by that of the IBM, parameters of the IBM Hamiltonian are obtained. By this method, the multifermion dynamics of surface deformation can be mapped, in a good approximation, onto a boson system. The validity of this process is examined for Sm and Ba isotopes, and an application is presented to an unexplored territory of the nuclear chart, namely, the right lower corner of 208Pb.

Mean field with tensor force and shell structure of exotic nuclei.

The tensor force is implemented into the mean-field model so that the evolution of nuclear shells can be described for exotic nuclei as well as stable ones. Besides the tensor-force part simulating the meson exchange, the model is an extension of the successful Gogny model. One of the major issues of rare-isotope beam physics is a reduced spin-orbit splitting in neutron-rich exotic nuclei. It will be shown that the effect of the tensor force on this splitting is larger than or about equal to the one due to the neutron skin. We will present predictions for stable and exotic nuclei with comparisons to conventional results and experimental data.

Evolution of nuclear shells due to the tensor force.

The monopole effect of the tensor force is presented, exhibiting how spherical single-particle energies are shifted as protons or neutrons occupy certain orbits. An analytic relation for such shifts is shown, and their general features are explained intuitively. Single-particle levels are shown to change in a systematic and robust way, by using the pi + rho meson exchange tensor potential, consistently with the chiral perturbation idea. Several examples are compared with experiments.

Optic nerve decompression for orbitofrontal fibrous dysplasia.

Orbitofrontal fibrous dysplasia often involves the bony orbit and the optic canal. Although fibrous dysplasia reportedly produces compression of the optic nerve leading to visual distrubances, optic nerve decompression in patients without clinical signs of optic neuropathy is still controversial. We describe two patients with orbitofrontal fibrous dysplasia without signs of visual disturbance and one patient with McCune-Albright syndrome and progressive visual impairment. Optic nerve decompression was performed prophylactically for two patients and therapeutically for one patient through the transcranial extradural route. Dystopias and craniofacial deformities induced by fibrous dysplasia also were corrected. The micropressure suction-irrigation system was especially effective for decreasing heat transfer and thereby preventing thermal injury of the optic nerve. The orbitofrontal area was reconstructed from cranial bone, iliac bone, and ribs. Postoperative follow-up revealed no disturbances in visual function and no evidence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage. These findings suggest that optic nerve decompression may be effective in preventing visual disturbances with minimal risk of other neurological sequelae. Subsequent orbital reconstruction yielded satisfactory cosmetic results.