Single-particle and collective structures in neutron-rich Sr isotopes

TL;DR

This paper investigates the structural evolution of neutron-rich Sr isotopes around N=60, combining experimental insights with shell-model calculations to understand the shape transition from spherical to deformed nuclei.

Contribution

It provides a shell-model analysis of Sr isotopes from N=50 to N=58, including spectroscopic factors and deformation origins, enhancing understanding of shape transitions.

Findings

Identification of shape transition near N=60

Shell-model calculations match experimental spectroscopic data

Insights into low-energy excitation structures

Abstract

Neutron-rich Sr nuclei around N=60 exhibit a sudden shape transition from spherical ground state to strongly prolate-deformed. Recently, a lot of new insight into the structure of Sr isotopes in this region was gained through experimental studies of excited levels, transitions strengths and spectroscopic factors. In this work, a "classic" shell-model description of strontium isotopes from N=50 to N=58 is provided, using a natural valence space outside the 78Ni core. Both even-even and even-odd isotopes are adressed. In particular, spectroscopic factors are computed to shed more light on the structure of low-energy excitations and their evolution along the Sr chain. The origin of deformation at N=60 is commented in the context of the present and previous shell-model and Monte-Carlo shell-model calculations.