News on the nuclear structure of neutron-rich nuclei at and beyond N=28

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent gamma-ray spectroscopy experiments that explore how the shell structure and magic numbers evolve in neutron-rich isotopes around N=28, revealing significant modifications from traditional models.

Contribution

It presents new experimental data on the nuclear structure of neutron-rich Ar and S isotopes, highlighting changes in shell gaps and orbital ordering at N=28.

Findings

Emergence of new shell gaps in neutron-rich isotopes

Modification of traditional magic numbers in these nuclei

Evidence of altered single-particle orbital ordering

Abstract

The nuclear potential and resulting shell structure are well established for the valley of stability, however, dramatic modifications to the familiar ordering of single-particle orbitals in rare isotopes with a large imbalance of proton and neutron numbers have been found: new shell gaps emerge and conventional magic numbers are no longer valid. This article outlines some of the recent in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy measurements at NSCL aimed at shedding light on the evolution of nuclear structure around neutron number N = 28 in neutron-rich Ar and S isotopes.