Structure of $^{30}$Mg explored via in-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy

TL;DR

This study used in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy with rare-isotope beams to refine the level scheme and spin-parity assignments of excited states in $^{30}$Mg, providing insights into its structure near the island of inversion.

Contribution

The paper provides the first firm spin-parity assignments for excited states in $^{30}$Mg, especially negative-parity levels, and compares these with shell-model calculations.

Findings

Updated level scheme with revised spin-parity assignments

Spectroscopic factors for each state were deduced

Excellent agreement with shell-model calculations, but discrepancies in spectroscopic factors

Abstract

Background: In the "island of inversion", ground states of neutron-rich $sd$-shell nuclei exhibit strong admixtures of intruder configurations from the $fp$ shell. The nucleus $^{30}$Mg, located at the boundary of the island of inversion, serves as a cornerstone to track the structural evolution as one approaches this region. Purpose: Spin-parity assignments for excited states in $^{30}$Mg, especially negative-parity levels, have yet to be established. In the present work, the nuclear structure of $^{30}$Mg was investigated by in-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy mainly focusing on firm spin-parity determinations. Method: High-intensity rare-isotope beams of $^{31}$Mg, $^{32}$Mg, $^{34}$Si, and $^{35}$P bombarded a Be target to induce nucleon removal reactions populating states in $^{30}$Mg. $\gamma$ rays were detected by the state-of-the-art $\gamma$-ray tracking array GRETINA. For the direct one-neutron removal reaction, final-state exclusive cross sections and parallel momentum distributions were deduced. Multi-nucleon removal reactions from different projectiles were exploited to gain complementary information. Results: With the aid of the parallel momentum distributions, an updated level scheme with revised spin-parity assignments was constructed. Spectroscopic factors associated with each state were also deduced. Conclusions: Results were confronted with large-scale shell-model calculations using two different effective interactions, showing excellent agreement with the present level scheme. However, a marked difference in the spectroscopic factors indicates that the full delineation of the transition into the island of inversion remains a challenge for theoretical models.