Search arXiv⌕ Search

arXiv · 2509.25789

Shape polarization and coexistence of high-$K$ three-quasiparticle states in odd-mass $N=106$ isotones

Abstract

Three-quasiparticle $K$-isomeric states in odd-mass $N=106$ isotones within the $A\sim 180$ mass region are systematically investigated using configuration-constrained potential energy surface calculations. The calculations successfully reproduce the excitation energies and deformations of known high-$K$ isomers in the nuclei from $^{175}$Tm to $^{181}$Re. For the nuclei closer to the $Z=82$ shell closure ($^{183}$Ir, $^{185}$Au, and $^{187}$Tl), predictions for the configurations of observed and yet-to-be-observed isomers are provided. The results reveal strong shape polarization, where the three-quasiparticle states are driven to larger deformations compared to the often shape-soft or spherical ground states. A particularly rich spectrum of shape coexistence is predicted in $^{187}$Tl, where several high-$K$ three-quasiparticle configurations with distinct prolate, oblate, and triaxial shapes are found to coexist at similar excitation energies. Notably, the oblate-deformed $K^π=29/2^+$ configuration at $E_x = 1839$ keV is proposed to be responsible for a long-lived isomer. This study provides a comprehensive picture of shape evolution and coexistence in high-$K$ multi-quasiparticle states, offering valuable insights for future experimental research.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Runyan Dong, Changfeng Jiao. 2025-11-24. Shape polarization and coexistence of high-$K$ three-quasiparticle states in odd-mass $N=106$ isotones. https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.25789

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

Intertwined quantum phase transitions in the even-even $^{90-100}$Sr isotopes

The even-even $^{90-100}$Sr isotopes are identified as a region of intertwined quantum phase transitions (IQPTs). In this scenario, a quantum phase transition involving the crossing of normal and intruder configurations is accompanied by a shape evolution within the intruder configuration. Using the interacting boson model with configuration mixing (IBM-CM), its is shown that the strontium chain exhibits the IQPT scenario, where the intruder configuration evolves from a near-spherical structure in $^{90\text{--}96}$Sr to a deformed one in $^{98,100}$Sr, while the normal and intruder configurations cross between $^{96}$Sr and $^{98}$Sr. As a result, the ground state changes abruptly from a weakly collective normal configuration to a deformed intruder configuration. Evidence for this scenario is provided by a detailed comparison with experimental excitation energies, isotope shifts, and monopole $E0$ transition strengths, together with the configuration and $n_d$ decompositions of the calculated wave functions. The results place the strontium isotopes alongside the neighboring zirconium chain as a realization of IQPTs in the intricate $A\approx100$ region.

nucl-th↗

Imprints of the nuclear liquid-gas phase transition on net-baryon number fluctuations

We investigate net-baryon number fluctuations in the high-density, low-temperature region of the QCD phase diagram using the parity-doublet model (PDM) under the mean-field approximation. We compute the fluctuation ratios up to sixth order around the nuclear liquid-gas (LG) phase transition, where the high-order ratios are particularly sensitive. To connect the results with heavy-ion experiments, we test several different scenarios of chemical freeze-out. We find that near the LG transition the extracted fluctuations depend strongly on the choice of freeze-out curve. We self-consistently determine four freeze-out points from preliminary results of the STAR Collaboration. Comparing the experimental data with the PDM results along these four points, we find that the model describes the low energy ($\sqrt{s_{NN}}\lesssim$ 4 GeV) data well. This suggests that nucleon interactions and the LG phase transition may contribute significantly to the fluctuations in low energy heavy-ion collisions.

nucl-th↗

Strangeness Production in Heavy-Ion Collisions: Color Ropes or Hydrodynamic Evolution?

We investigate strangeness production and transverse dynamics in heavy-ion collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}\approx 2.5-20~\mathrm{GeV}$ using the transport approach SMASH (Simulating Many Accelerated Strongly-interacting Hadrons), its extension with rope hadronization, and the SMASH+vHLLE hybrid approach. Results from the Pythia-based heavy-ion model Angantyr, with and without rope hadronization, are included for comparison. We study midrapidity particle yields and average transverse masses as functions of the number of wounded nucleons, as well as their energy dependence. For the $K^+/π^+$ ratio, SMASH+vHLLE overpredicts strangeness production at low energies but describes the higher-energy behavior reasonably well. SMASH+Ropes reproduces the ratio up to $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}\sim 10~\mathrm{GeV}$ but does not capture the turnover at higher energies. In contrast, the transverse-mass observables favor the hybrid approach, while the non-thermal models considered here do not generate sufficient collective transverse expansion. These results show that strangeness enhancement alone does not uniquely distinguish microscopic string interactions from a locally equilibrated medium. Simultaneously constraining strangeness production and transverse dynamics is therefore essential for disentangling thermal and non-thermal mechanisms in heavy-ion collisions.

nucl-th↗