Spectroscopy of $^{52}$K

TL;DR

This paper reports the first detailed spectroscopy of $^{52}$K, revealing its energy levels and states through gamma-ray measurements and comparing results with advanced shell model and ab initio calculations.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental energy level scheme of $^{52}$K and compares it with modern theoretical models, enhancing understanding of neutron-rich potassium isotopes.

Findings

Established energy level scheme of $^{52}$K.

Determined spins and parities of excited states.

Compared experimental results with shell model and ab initio calculations.

Abstract

The first spectroscopy of $^{52}$K was investigated via in-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy at the RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory after one-proton and one-neutron knockout from $^{53}$Ca and $^{53}$K beams impinging on a 15-cm liquid hydrogen target at $\approx$ 230~MeV/nucleon. The energy level scheme of $^{52}$K was built using single $\gamma$ and $\gamma$-$\gamma$ coincidence spectra. The spins and parities of the excited states were established based on momentum distributions of the fragment after the knockout reaction and based on exclusive cross sections. The results were compared to state-of-the-art shell model calculations with the SDPF-Umod interaction and ab initio IMSRG calculations with chiral effective field theory nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon forces.