Shape evolution in Yttrium and Niobium neutron-rich isotopes

TL;DR

This study investigates the evolution of nuclear shapes and configurations in neutron-rich Yttrium and Niobium isotopes using self-consistent theoretical models, revealing shape transitions and coexistence phenomena relevant across the A=100 mass region.

Contribution

It applies a Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach with Gogny functionals to analyze shape evolution and quasiproton configurations in odd-A isotopes, highlighting shape transition signatures.

Findings

Shape transition signatures at N=60 in charge radii and spin-parities

Shape coexistence influences spectroscopic features

Systematics of charge radii across A=100 isotopes

Abstract

The isotopic evolution of the ground-state nuclear shapes and the systematics of one-quasiproton configurations are studied in neutron-rich odd-A Yttrium and Niobium isotopes. We use a selfconsistent Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov formalism based on the Gogny energy density functional with two parametrizations, D1S and D1M. The equal filling approximation is used to describe odd-A nuclei preserving both axial and time reversal symmetries. Shape-transition signatures are identified in the N=60 isotopes in both charge radii and spin-parities of the ground states. These signatures are a common characteristic for nuclei in the whole mass region. The nuclear deformation and shape coexistence inherent to this mass region are shown to play a relevant role in the understanding of the spectroscopic features of the ground and low-lying one-quasiproton states. Finally, a global picture of the neutron-rich A=100 mass region from Krypton up to Molybdenum isotopes is illustrated with the systematics of the nuclear charge radii isotopic shifts.