New magic numbers

TL;DR

This paper reviews how traditional nuclear magic numbers can change in exotic nuclei, highlighting recent experimental and theoretical findings that impact our understanding of nuclear structure and stellar nucleosynthesis.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent research on evolving nuclear shell structures and the emergence of new magic numbers in unstable nuclei.

Findings

Traditional magic numbers can disappear in exotic nuclei

New magic numbers can emerge far from stability

Changes in shell structure affect stellar nucleosynthesis

Abstract

The nuclear shell model is a benchmark for the description of the structure of atomic nuclei. The magic numbers associated with closed shells have long been assumed to be valid across the whole nuclear chart. Investigations in recent years of nuclei far away from nuclear stability at facilities for radioactive ion beams have revealed that the magic numbers may change locally in those exotic nuclei leading to the disappearance of classic shell gaps and the appearance of new magic numbers. These changes in shell structure also have important implications for the synthesis of heavy elements in stars and stellar explosions. In this review a brief overview of the basics of the nuclear shell model will be given together with a summary of recent theoretical and experimental activities investigating these changes in the nuclear shell structure.