Proton decays in $^{16}$Ne and $^{18}$Mg and isospin-symmetry breaking in carbon isotopes and isotones

TL;DR

This paper uses Gamow shell model calculations to analyze proton decay and isospin-symmetry breaking in $^{16}$Ne and $^{18}$Mg, providing new theoretical insights into their decay properties and energy levels at the nuclear drip-lines.

Contribution

First theoretical calculation of binding energy and decay widths of $^{18}$Mg using a configuration interaction approach, addressing gaps in experimental data.

Findings

Decay widths of $^{16}$Ne and $^{18}$Mg determined.

Complex isospin patterns due to continuum and Coulomb effects.

Results align with previous experimental and theoretical studies.

Abstract

Proton-rich nuclei possess unique properties in the nuclear chart. Due to the presence of both continuum coupling and Coulomb interaction, phenomena such as halos, Thomas-Ehrman shift, and proton emissions can occur. Experimental data are difficult to be obtained therein, so that theoretical calculations are needed to understand nuclei at drip-lines and guide experimentalists for that matter. In particular, the $^{16}$Ne and $^{18}$Mg isotopes are supposed to be one-proton and/or two-proton emitting nuclei, but associated experimental data are either incomplete or even unavailable. Consequently, we performed Gamow shell model calculations of carbon isotones bearing $A=15\text{-}18$. Isospin-symmetry breaking occurring in carbon isotones and isotopes is also discussed. It is hereby shown that the mixed effects of continuum coupling and Coulomb interaction at drip-lines generate complex patterns in isospin multiplets. Added to that, it is possible to determine the one-proton and two-proton widths of $^{16}$Ne and $^{18}$Mg. Obtained decay patterns are in agreement with those obtained in previous experimental and theoretical works. Moreover, up to the knowledge of authors, this is the first theoretical calculation of binding energy and partial decay widths of $^{18}$Mg in a configuration interaction picture.