Re examination of the effect of Pairing Gaps on Gamow Teller Strength Distributions and beta decay Rates

TL;DR

This study examines how different nucleon pairing gap values influence Gamow Teller strength distributions and beta decay rates, finding that the 3TF pairing scheme provides the most accurate predictions for nuclear half-lives.

Contribution

It introduces a systematic investigation of pairing gap effects on beta decay calculations using the QRPA model, highlighting the optimal pairing scheme for better predictions.

Findings

GT strength distributions are sensitive to pairing gaps.

The 3TF pairing scheme yields the most accurate half-life predictions.

The 3TF scheme produces the highest beta decay rates in stellar conditions.

Abstract

Beta decay is one of the key factors to understand the r process and evolution of massive stars. The Gamow Teller (GT) transitions drive the beta decay process. We employ the proton neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation (on QRPA) model to calculate terrestrial and stellar beta decay rates for 50 top ranked nuclei possessing astrophysical significance according to a recent survey. The model parameters of the on QRPA model affect the predicted results of beta decay. The current study investigates the effect of nucleon nucleon pairing gaps on charge changing transitions and the associated beta decay rates. Three different values of pairing gaps, namely TF, 3TF and 5TF, were used in our investigation. It was concluded that both GT strength distributions and half lives are sensitive to pairing gap values. The 3TF pairing gap scheme, in our chosen nuclear model, resulted in best prediction with around 80 percent of the calculated half-lives within a factor 10 of the measured ones. The 3TF pairing scheme also led to calculation of biggest beta decay rates in stellar matter.